Permit Services at DBI | San Francisco (2024)

Part of Department of Building Inspection

Permit Services of the Department of Building Inspection issues building, electrical, plumbing/mechanical, and other construction-related permits to ensure that proposed construction meets all safety requirements.

Over-the-counter (OTC) permits You can get OTC review for projects that need less than 1 hour of plan review. In-house permits We review complex projects in-house, accepting them for electronic plan review (EPR) or with paper plans. Instant online permits Registered contractors can get electrical, plumbing, reroofing, kitchen and bath, and solar permits instantly.

Services

Over-the-counter building permits

Get an OTC permit for your interior residential remodel Follow these instructions for projects like kitchen, bath, and other interior residential remodels. Get an OTC permit for your exterior residential project Follow these instructions for doors, windows, reroofing, decks, fences, and other common exterior projects. Get an OTC permit for your commercial project Follow our instructions to comply with our commercial construction requirements to get your building permit. Get a building permit to do a Soft Story retrofit Follow these instructions for Soft Story permits. Permit process for existing awnings (available for a limited time) Follow this simplified process to get a permit for an existing awning with most fees waived.

In-house review for building permits

Get a building permit with In-House Review You must have a building permit to do construction. Follow these steps for In-House Review permit applications. Schedule a pre-application meeting Optional: Meet with DBI or Fire Department staff to review code issues before you apply for a building permit. Apply for your Affordable Housing and Development Agreement online You can now submit some building permit applications online. Prepare for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project Decide if you want to add an ADU and prepare your application. Legalize a unit in your home Overview of the Unit Legalization program, for units that were built before 2013 without a permit.

Permit processing

Recheck your plans for your building permit application Recheck your plans with the plan checker from your first review. Email your plan checker to coordinate a time to meet. Track your building permit application or property complaint Find building permits for current and past construction projects in our permit tracking system. Gather documents for your building permit issuance Bring these documents to get your building permit issued.

Online permits

Apply for an electrical permit Learn when you need an electrical permit. Registered contractors can get permits online. Apply for a plumbing and mechanical permit See when you need a plumbing or mechanical permit. Registered contractors can get permits online. Apply for a kitchen or bath remodel permit Registered general contractors can get permits online to renovate a kitchen or bath. Apply for a reroofing permit Registered contractors can get permits online for some roof replacement work. Apply for a PTO (Permit to Operate Boiler) Large boilers must be certified every year. Registered contractors can apply online. Register with the City as a licensed contractor You can file electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and Boiler to Operate permits online, if you register. Get a permit for a solar photovoltaic system Submit your application to install a photovoltaic (PV) system with solar panels and eligible battery storage.

At plan review

Comply with slope protection requirements for your building project Check your construction location. You may need to provide additional reports when applying for building permits. Comply with floodplain management requirements Check your construction location. You may need to complete a checklist when you apply for building permits.

Green Building

Fill out the Green Building forms All building permit applications must fill out our Green Building forms.

Resources

Permits

Projects eligible for an Over-the-Counter (OTC) permit Examples of projects you can get OTC permits for, with or without plans.

Check if your building permit needs plans Most building permit applications require architectural plans.

Building construction type definitions

Visit the Permit Center

The Permit Center offers in-person Over-the-Counter (OTC) permits and services.

Reference documents

In-House Review Forms and Applications Portal This page features online portals and forms to apply for an In-House Review building permit.

Building permit application forms Fill out the building, electrical, plumbing/mechanical, and other construction permit forms for your project and role.

Information sheets for DBI Documents that clarify building code implementation for various construction topics.

Current San Francisco building codes 2022 SF and CA Codes are effective for permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2023.

Administrative Bulletins in the SF Building Code

Administrative Bulletins document procedures followed by DBI staff.

Programs

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) Add accessory dwelling units (ADUs), in-law units, or cottages to residential properties.

Accessible Business Entrance (ABE) program The Accessible Business Entrance (ABE) program ensures that San Francisco businesses welcome everybody.

Facade inspection and maintenance program

Soft story program information

The deadline to finish soft story work was Sept 15, 2021. See archived program details.

Awning Fee Waiver Program

Building Occupancy Resumption Program guidelines for engineers

About

Permit Services is responsible for all steps of permit issuance, assuring that proposed construction meets all safety requirements. We provide technical support in the areas of code development and information, as well as coordinating the Building Occupancy Program.