Purpose

To serve the City and County of San Francisco and the general public by hearing written appeals brought by any person regarding actions taken by the Department of Building Inspection in the enforcement of the requirements for Access to Public Accommodations by Physically Handicapped Persons (Part 5.5, Sections 19955-59 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California), as well as action taken by the Department in the enforcement of the disabled access and adaptability provisions of this code. San Francisco Building Code Section 105.3.

Mission Statement

The Access Appeals Commission (AAC), consisting of a five-members, conducts hearings to approve or disapprove the Departments interpretations of applicable disability access regulations and actions taken by the Department to enforce said regulations and abate violations. It shall establish reasonable rules and regulations for its own procedures, choose its officers, conduct public meetings, designate an official reporter, and make decisions and recommendations by resolution.
 

The Access Appeals Commission

The AAC consists of five commissioners: two from the disabled community, two experienced in the construction industry, and one public member. The Commissioners are appointed by the Building Inspection Commission and serve at its pleasure.  The Commission consists of:
 

Vacant, A Person Experienced in Construction
Mr. Kevin Birmingham, Vice-President
Ms. Alyce G. Brown, Commissioner
Mr. Walter Park, Commissioner
Mr. Arnie Lerner, FAIA, CASp, Commissioner

 

Announcement Vacant Seat

How to Contact the AAC

Thomas Fessler, Secretary to the Access Appeals Commission, may be reached at:

Access Appeals Commission
Department of Building Inspection
49 South Van Ness Avenue, 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
(628) 652-3721, FAX (628) 652-3518
Email:  Thomas.Fessler@sfgov.org

Meetings
 

The Access Appeals Commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month. Meetings are accessible, open to the public, and are held commencing at 1:00 p.m. at:

Disability Accommodations

To request assistive listening devices, sign language interpreters, readers, large print agendas, or other accommodations, please contact Thomas Fessler 628-652-3721 or Thomas.Fessler@sfgov.org at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Language Access

For questions about the Language Access Ordinance, please contact OCEIA at (415) 581-2360 and ask for the Executive Director or Language Access Compliance Officer. Language Assistance:  To request an interpreter for a specific item during the meeting, please contact Thomas Fessler 628-652-3721 or Thomas.Fessler@sfgov.org at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Agendas

The Agenda is published on the Friday before the regularly scheduled meeting. Agendas are posted on the Department's website www.sfdbi.org under Agendas & Minutes, at the Main Library in the Government Documents section, and are also available by contacting the AAC Secretary at (628) 652-3721.

2022 AAC Meeting Calendar

Minutes

Minutes are posted on the Department's website www.sfdbi.org under the Agenda and Minutes link 10 days after approval by the AAC.

Filing an Appeal

An Information Guide with Appeal Forms is available by contacting the Commission Secretary at 628-652-3721.

Access Appeals Commission By Laws (pdf)

Information Guide and Appeal Forms (pdf)