NO. AB-001 : | |
DATE : | November 18, 1998 (Updated 01/01/2023 for code references) |
SUBJECT : | General Administrative Procedures |
TITLE : | Preparing Administrative Bulletins |
PURPOSE : | The purpose of this Administrative Bulletin is to describe the procedures to be used in originating, writing, editing and distributing Administrative Bulletins. Administrative Bulletins document the procedures to be followed by the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) staff and other agencies which are involved with the regulatory functions of DBI. Although Administrative Bulletins are intended primarily for DBI use, the information may be of interest to the general public. An Administrative Bulletin differs from an Office Policy and Procedure document in that the latter defines DBI’s internal operating procedures and is generally of interest only to DBI staff. |
REFERENCE : | |
DISCUSSION : | The following steps are to be observed in the publishing of an Administrative Bulletin. Refer to the flowchart in ATTACHMENT A. Each Administrative Bulletin shall be reviewed at least annually for concurrence with the current code and from time-to-time as necessitated by changes in policies or requirements. |
1. IDENTIFY THE PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN
a. Any individual in the Department may identify the need for an Administrative Bulletin and report this need to the supervisor, who will in turn discuss it with the Manager of Permit Services (the Manager). The Manager then makes a recommendation to the Director who may give the authorization to proceed with the writing of the Administrative Bulletin. Similarly, any City agency may identify the need for an Administrative Bulletin directly to the Director.
b. The Manager will notify Technical Services Division (TSD) of the subject matter and the person assigned to write the Administrative Bulletin (the Preparer). TSD will assign the proposed Administrative Bulletin a number and notify the Preparer to proceed.
2. REPORT THE PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN TO BUILDING INSPECTION COMMISSION (BIC)
Prior to the preparation of the first draft of the Administrative Bulletin, TSD will prepare a brief synopsis of the proposed Administrative Bulletin and shall forward that to the DBI Director for inclusion in the Director’s Report or Communication Item to the Building Inspection Commission (BIC).
3. PREPARE THE DRAFT ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN
Following such report to the BIC, the Preparer shall prepare the first draft. The first draft is to be returned to TSD within 21 days* after BIC review. Extensions of time may be granted by the Director under extenuating circumstances. Such first draft shall be reviewed by the Deputy Director and TSD for form and content, and revised as necessary. See ATTACHMENT B for the document format which is to be followed.
4. REVIEW THE DRAFT ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN
a. If so requested by the BIC, the first draft shall be provided to the BIC for public hearing prior to general distribution of the draft for review.
b. If no public hearing on the first draft is requested by the BIC, that first draft shall be distributed. The Preparer is to include a list of persons or committees to whom the draft is recommended to be sent for review. The Director and TSD may revise this list. (See ATTACHMENT C for a list of possible reviewers).
c. TSD will distribute the first draft and, after a minimum 30 day* review period, will forward any comments received to the Manager. The Manager will review the first draft and the review comments, and if necessary, discuss them with the Preparer. The Manager may refer the draft Administrative Bulletin to any committee for review as seen advisable.
5. PREPARE THE FINAL DRAFT FOR REVIEW BY THE MANAGER
Based upon draft review comments a final draft bulletin will be prepared by the Preparer. TSD will prepare the final draft which will then be reviewed for form and content by the Manager.
6. FORWARD THE ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN TO THE BIC FOR REVIEW AND PUBLIC HEARING
Following review and recommendation by the Manager and Director, the draft Administrative Bulletin will be forwarded to the Building Inspection Commission for review, public hearing and approval.
7. PREPARE THE APPROVED COPY FOR PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION
a. Following BIC approval, the Preparer will have 7 days* to return a final draft to TSD who will review the final draft for conformance to format and prepare a final copy for signature by the Director.
b. The signed Administrative Bulletin will be duplicated and distributed as noted on a final distribution list. TSD will file the signed Administrative Bulletin and will keep a record of the completed Administrative Bulletins in separate indexes by:
1). Administrative Bulletin Number
2). Title
* The time limits given in the procedure above are guidelines, and may vary depending upon the complexity of the subject matter, review and approval process, and schedule requirements. Many Administrative Bulletins result in multiple “draft” stages.
Original signed by:
Frank Y. Chiu, Director, Director
Approved by the Building Inspection Commission on November 18, 1998
Attachment A: Administrative Bulletin Preparation, Review and Approval Process
Attachment B: Example of Format
Attachment C: Possible Reviewers
Attachment B: Example of Format
Attachment C: Possible Reviewers