San Francisco Chinatown businesses hit by awning fines

Dozens of small businesses in San Francisco’s Chinatown have recently received fines for their awnings, among other violations.

Lily Lo, founder of BeChinatown, said she received more than 20 infringement notices, or “NOVs,” from the San Francisco Building Inspection Department.

“Everyone is really scared and I’m the next one to get it?” She said.

In addition to preserving history, Lo also acts as an advocate for small businesses.

On the same block, Waverly Lo said she could count plenty of stores that received fines for not having gate permits, which some store owners say they inherited from NBC Bay Area, but mostly for awnings.

Laura Lee has been running the print shop for over three decades with no breaches regarding their canopy, corrective actions are spelled out along with nine ticked flags in most notices.

Lee said it also creates confusion among residents who speak Cantonese and Mandarin.

“What did we do wrong?” She said. “What is nine times about? What are the sign codes, you know, we have not moved out for more than 30 years, like many local businesses in Chinatown.

Another place where the violation was committed is a flower shop and an aquarium store, which, according to community members, has been closed for 20 years.

The sheds have been part of San Francisco’s Chinatown for generations. So why now?

A DBI spokesperson told NBC Bay Area that they are required by law to investigate anonymous complaints. Over the past three months, we have received 187 anonymous requests for awnings.

“Our inspectors don’t scour the streets looking for sheds that violate building codes. If a violation is found, a NOV will be issued regardless of how long the non-compliance has existed,” officials said in a statement.

Complaints were concentrated in four areas: Chinatown, Richmond, Haight and Tenderloin.

The DBI said 62 had been allocated but could not provide locations on Thursday night.

The spokesperson added that most awning permits are over-the-counter and issued in less than two days and can cost up to $3,000.

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