San Francisco property owners paid over $1M in Department of Public Works (DPW) penalties last year. How much of that came out of your clients' bottom line?
Last year, the San Francisco Department of Public Works (DPW) levied over $1M in fines—much of it paid out-of-pocket by unprepared property owners.
DPW enforces steep daily penalties for sidewalk, street, and right-of-way infractions:
Unpermitted Street/Sidewalk Work: Up to $10,000 per day
Street Space Expiration: Up to $1,000 per day
Blocked Sidewalks: Up to $1,000 per day
Debris Box Violations: $1,000 per day
Unpermitted Street Tree Removal: Up to $10,000 (doubles to $20,000 for repeat offenses)
Trash Bin Violations: $250 per occurrence
In addition to financial penalties, DPW right-of-way infractions can carry criminal misdemeanor charges, punishable by up to six months in jail per offense.
The Hidden Trap: Invisible Violations
Unlike other city agencies, DPW violations are not easily searchable online because complaints are routed through SF 311. Property owners often go weeks without knowing an issue exists while daily fines compound rapidly. For example, a contractor cited on Friday afternoon for temporary debris on the sidewalk didn't discover the notice until Monday—costing thousands of dollars for a single weekend delay.
At just $180 per building annually, Property Atlas monitors public records and 311 logs to alert you immediately. Finding out just one day faster pays for your annual subscription more than 5 times over.
Don't let unmonitored street violations compound in secret. Book a call with our team today to protect your job sites and property portfolio.
Brought to you by Property Atlas.
Comments