When to file
The Department of Building Inspection handles complaints about habitability, structure, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and unpermitted work in residential and commercial buildings. Common reasons to file:
- No heat or hot water.
- Persistent leaks, mold, or water damage.
- Pest infestations the landlord will not address.
- Broken or unsafe stairs, railings, windows, or floors.
- Inoperable smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
- Construction without a permit.
- Illegal in-law or short-term-rental conversions.
For life-safety issues like fire-alarm or sprinkler problems, the SF Fire Department also handles complaints. For street, sidewalk, noise, or general city services, use 311. There is overlap in some cases. If you are not sure which agency, file with DBI; they will route to the right place if needed.
You can file anonymously
Yes. SF DBI accepts anonymous complaints. If you are worried about retaliation from your landlord, filing without your name is the safest option. You can also provide a callback number that the inspector can use without sharing it with the landlord. The inspector's job is to verify the violation, not to identify the reporter.
That said, including your contact information helps the inspector follow up and confirm details. If the inspector cannot reach anyone and cannot access the unit (because they need consent to enter), the case may close as unverified. Use your judgment.
How to file
The fastest path is from this site. Search the address you want to file about, then click Report a housing issue on the report page. The city's official complaint form opens right inside Housing Report Card, prefilled with that address, so you do not have to retype anything. When you finish, click I'm done filing and we will show you what to expect next plus offer to email you when the inspector follows up.
The form asks for:
- The address (and unit if applicable).
- A description of the problem.
- How long it has been happening.
- Whether you have notified the landlord.
- Optional contact information.
If you prefer to file directly with the city, the form is at sf.gov/report-building-problem. You can also file by phone (311 routes housing-related calls to DBI) or in person at the DBI permit center.
What to include in the description
Be specific. The inspector reads this before visiting. Useful details:
- Where in the unit or building (which room, which floor).
- When it started or worsened.
- Whether other units are affected.
- What the landlord has done about it (or not).
- Any photos or documentation you can attach.
A description like "no heat in unit 305 since November 12, landlord told twice in writing, electric heater is the only source" is far more actionable than "no heat."
What happens after you file
- The complaint is logged in the public record. Anyone, including Housing Report Card, can see it.
- An inspector is assigned, typically within 72 hours for habitability complaints.
- The inspector visits. They may call ahead. They may need to enter the unit, which requires the tenant's or landlord's consent (you can give consent from inside).
- If they verify the issue, they issue a Notice of Violation. The landlord is given a cure period to fix it.
- The inspector returns to confirm the fix. If complete, the NOV closes. If not, the city escalates.
This process is not always fast. Simple violations often resolve in 4 to 8 weeks. Serious or contested ones can stretch much longer.
Tenant protections
Retaliation against a tenant who reports a code violation is illegal under California law. If your rent is raised, you are evicted, or you are otherwise punished within months of filing a complaint, that may constitute illegal retaliation. Document the timing carefully.
For specific advice, the San Francisco Tenants Union and Causa Justa: Just Cause both provide free or sliding-scale tenant counseling.
Stay on top of the case
Once you have filed, you can use the "Watch this address" feature on Housing Report Card to get an email when:
- The inspector logs an inspection.
- The Notice of Violation is issued.
- Status changes occur on the case.
- The case closes.
This is one way of staying on top of a slow process without checking the city website manually.