San Francisco Facade Inspections
Buildings five or more stories, a comprehensive report every ten years.
What the Program Requires
Buildings five or more stories tall of Type I, II, III or IV construction
An initial comprehensive report by a deadline based on construction date, then every ten years. Buildings 15 or more stories also file supplemental reports.
A California licensed architect or engineer
Submitted to the Department of Building Inspection
The Details That Matter
A comprehensive report is a general and detailed inspection of all facades. A supplemental report, for buildings 15 or more stories, is a general inspection of all facades. Buildings that are historic resources are inspected and maintained under the Secretary of the Interior's Standards.
Before You Take This Work
- Professional liability policies define the services they cover. Check that yours describes inspection and report work accurately, not only design, and tell your agent roughly how much of your revenue comes from this work.
Official sources
Every fact on this page comes from these sources, read in October 2026. Laws change; read the current text before relying on it.
General information, not legal advice or a statement of coverage. Laws and local rules change; read the current text at the source links and confirm requirements with the building department. Whether a policy responds depends on its wording and the facts. Hardcover is an insurance agency, not a law firm.
Doing This Work? Let’s Check Your Coverage.
We check that your policy describes the inspection work you actually do, before a report is questioned.