How to Pull a Building Permit in San Francisco, CA (2026 Guide)
San Francisco processes approximately 50,000 building permits annually in one of the most regulated construction markets in the country. Between seismic requirements, historic preservation rules, and neighborhood review, SF permits require planning. Here's how it works.
Where to Apply
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) handles building permits, with the Planning Department involved for projects that affect building use, size, or historic character.
Online Portal: SF has moved to 100% electronic plan review as of January 2024. Submit through the city's online permitting system.
Website: sfdbi.org and sf.gov/topics/building-permits
In-Person: DBI Headquarters at 49 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103. Over-the-counter permits are still handled in person.
Phone: (628) 652-3200
What Does an SF Building Permit Cost?
San Francisco permit fees are among the highest in the country:
- Base permit fee: Approximately 2% of project valuation
- Plan check fee: 65% of the permit fee (on top)
- Technology surcharge, admin fee, and other add-ons increase the total
Real-world examples:
- $75K kitchen remodel: $3,000 - $4,500 in total permit fees
- $300K ADU project: $15,000+ in total permits and fees
- Simple re-roofing: $500 - $1,500
SF also charges separate fees for Planning review, fire sprinkler review, and accessibility compliance review depending on your project.
How Long Does It Take?
Timeline varies dramatically by permit type:
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Permits: 1-2 days. For simple projects like water heater replacement, minor electrical, basic re-roofing. Use Form 3 or Form 8 (the "pink form") and file in person at DBI.
Standard Residential Alterations: 8-16 weeks for plan review. Add time for corrections.
Projects Requiring Planning Review: 4-8 months. If your project triggers Neighborhood Notification, Conditional Use Authorization, or Historic Preservation review, the Planning Department adds significant time before DBI even starts their review.
New Construction: 6-12+ months for full plan review and all agency approvals.
What You'll Need
- Completed application (electronic submission)
- Construction plans and specifications (PDF format)
- Title 24 energy calculations (California requirement)
- Structural calculations (seismic requirements are stringent in SF)
- Planning Department approval or determination letter (if applicable)
- Historic Resource Evaluation (if building is 45+ years old)
- Proof of licensed contractor
- Noise ordinance compliance (for projects near residential)
Tips From San Francisco Contractors
Check if you need Planning first. Many SF projects require Planning Department review BEFORE DBI will accept the building permit application. This is the #1 surprise for contractors new to the city. Check at sfplanning.org/permits.
Over-the-counter is your friend. If the project qualifies for OTC, use it. Skip the weeks-long plan review queue entirely. The list of OTC-eligible work is broader than most people think.
Seismic requirements are real. SF has some of the strictest seismic standards in the country. Soft-story retrofit requirements, mandatory upgrades on older buildings, and enhanced foundation requirements all add cost and review time. Factor this into bids.
Historic buildings add 2-4 months. If the building is on or near the historic register (or is simply 45+ years old), you may need a Historic Resource Evaluation before permits are issued. This is a separate process from Planning and DBI.
ADU streamlining applies here too. California's ADU laws preempt local regulations. ADU permits in SF are faster than they used to be, though still slower than other California cities.
The 311 complaint system is active. SF residents actively report unpermitted work. Don't skip permits — enforcement is aggressive and stop-work orders are expensive.
Track San Francisco Building Permits on PermitGrab
San Francisco's construction market is competitive and fast-moving. PermitGrab tracks active SF building permits daily from official DBI records. See what's being built, filter by trade, and find leads in your neighborhood before your competition does.
Last updated: March 2026. Always verify current requirements with SF DBI and the Planning Department.