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San Francisco building permits

Building permits in San Francisco are issued by the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)1. You can apply and request inspections online through sanfranciscoca.portal.opengov.com1.

Last checked

On this page
  1. Building department contacts
  2. Do you need a permit in San Francisco? Common projects
  3. Building codes in force in San Francisco
  4. San Francisco building permit fees
  5. How to get a building permit in San Francisco
  6. Permit expiration and extensions
  7. Inspections in San Francisco
  8. Building without a permit in San Francisco
  9. Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
  10. California rules that also apply in San Francisco
  11. Sources

Building department contacts

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)1

Building permits

Website
sf.gov1
Address
49 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103
1
Hours
Mon 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Tue-Fri 8:00 am-5:00 pm; closed public holidays; Plan Review and Print Center queues close 4:30 pm1
Inspections
Voice Inspection Scheduling System 628-652-3401 (24/7) for non-PermitSF permits; PermitSF permits: request online from the PermitSF dashboard2

Permit Services at DBI (Central Permit Bureau / Permit Center)3

Building permits

Website
sf.gov3
Address
49 South Van Ness, 2nd floor, San Francisco, CA 94103
3

Code Enforcement Section, Department of Building Inspection4

Code enforcement

Address
49 South Van Ness, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94103
4

To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: sf.gov1.

Do you need a permit in San Francisco? Common projects

Each project below has its own page with San Francisco's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.

ProjectPermit needed?Key limit in the city rule
FenceDepends on size or scopeExempt up to this height: 6 feet5
DeckYes–
ShedDepends on size or scopeExempt up to this area: 120 square feet6
RoofYes–
PoolYes–
Water heaterYes–

Building codes in force in San Francisco

These are the model codes San Francisco enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see California building codes.

CodeTitle as adoptedModel editionEffectiveAdopted by
International Building Code (IBC)2025 San Francisco Building Code (2025 California Building Code as amended by San Francisco)7202487Ordinance No. 231-25 (File No. 250960)7
International Residential Code (IRC)2025 San Francisco Building Code (2025 California Residential Code as amended by San Francisco)7202487Ordinance No. 231-25 (File No. 250960)7
Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)2025 San Francisco Plumbing Code9202489Ordinance No. 226-25 (File No. 250955)9
Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC)2025 San Francisco Mechanical Code102024810Ordinance No. 227-25 (File No. 250956)10
National Electrical Code (NEC)2025 San Francisco Electrical Code112023811Ordinance No. 228-25 (File No. 250957)11

Transition rules. None12.

San Francisco building permit fees

Fees come from the San Francisco Building Code fee tables (Section 110A, Tables 1A-A to 1A-S), DBI fee schedules July 202613, effective 13.

How valuation is set. Total project valuation per DBI 2022 Cost Schedule of Building Valuation Data14.

Each line is worded as in San Francisco’s schedule; formulas are not added up into a total (how permit fees work).

FeeTypeAs the schedule states it
Building permit Plan Review Fee, total valuation $1 to $2,000Based on project valuation$181 for the first $500 plus $8.60 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,00013
Building permit Permit Issuance Fee, total valuation $1 to $2,000Based on project valuation$206 for the first $500 plus $4 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and including $2,00013
Building permit Plan Review Fee, total valuation $2,001 to $50,000Based on project valuation$310 for the first $2,000 plus $28.35 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,00013
Building permit Permit Issuance Fee, total valuation $2,001 to $50,000Based on project valuation$266 for the first $2,000 plus $8.56 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, to and including $50,00013
Building permit Plan Review Fee, total valuation $50,001 to $200,000Based on project valuation$1,617 for the first $50,000 plus $15.60 for each additional $1000 or fraction thereof, to and including $200,00013
Building permit Permit Issuance Fee, total valuation $50,001 to $200,000Based on project valuation$677 for the first $50,000 plus $4.83 for each additional $1000 or fraction thereof, to and including $200,00013
Building permit Plan Review Fee, total valuation $200,001 to $500,000Based on project valuation$4,011 for the first $200,000 plus $13.31 for each additional $1000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,00013
Building permit Permit Issuance Fee, total valuation $200,001 to $500,000Based on project valuation$1,402 for the first $200,000 plus $4.21 for each additional $1000 or fraction thereof, to and including $500,00013
Lead-safe work practices surcharge (pre-1979 R3/E3 alteration permits)Flat fee$5.00 surcharge13
Plan Review Fees Not Covered in Table 1A-APlan review$602 per hour (Minimum One Hour)15
Re-inspection Fee or additional inspection per Section 108A.8Re-inspection$259 each half hour16
Inspection hourly ratePer inspection$519 per hour16
Demolition Permit FeeFlat fee$72416
Re-roofing Permit Fee, Single-Family Homes and DuplexesFlat fee$32016
Permit extension–$228 each plus 10% of Building Permit Inspection Fees17
Application extension (in Plan Review)–$415 each plus 20% of Plan Review Fees17
California Building Standards Commission FeeState surcharge$4 per $100,000 in valuation, not less than $114
Strong Motion Instrumentation Program Fee, Group R OccupanciesState surcharge0.00013 times the valuation (minimum $0.50)17

To apply San Francisco's valuation table to your own project value, use the permit fee calculator; it shows the schedule line it used.

How to get a building permit in San Francisco

  1. Check where to apply (PermitSF portal, online contractor permits, Over-the-Counter, or In-House Review)19
  2. Confirm a valid address19
  3. Check whether plans are needed20
  4. Planning review where required19
  5. Fill out role forms (owner package or contractor statement)19
  6. Submit the application at the Permit Center (OTC)19
  7. Recheck plans to address plan check comments19
  8. Pay fees and get the job card before starting19
  9. Inspections and final approval close the permit21
Apply online
Yes18
Over-the-counter permits
Projects needing less than 1 hour of plan review3
Posting the permit
Yes19

Permit expiration and extensions

How long a permit lasts
Issued permit active 365 days; each passed inspection (or sufficient progress), approved site permit addenda or altered site permit extends expiration by 365 days; applications filed on/after June 21, 2026 have 730 days to obtain the permit21
Extensions
180-day extension for a fee, requested before the permit expires21

Inspections in San Francisco

The inspection San Francisco’s published material names. Do not cover work until it has passed (how inspections work).

  1. Building, plumbing/mechanical and electrical inspections (non-PermitSF permits)2
How to schedule
PermitSF permits: request inspections online from the PermitSF dashboard2
Re-inspection fee
$259 each half hour16
After the final inspection
Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy22

Building without a permit in San Francisco

ConsequenceApplies toAs the city states itWay to fix it
Investigation fee SFBC Section 110A, Table 1A-KWork without permit: Building, Electrical, Plumbing or Mechanical Code violations23Nine times the Permit Issuance Fee plus the original permit fee23Apply for a permit for the unpermitted work (NOV states which permits); fees can be appealed to the Board of Appeals24
Higher permit fee SFBC Section 110A, Table 1A-KExceeding the scope of an approved permit23Two times the Permit Issuance Fee23Apply for a permit for the unpermitted work (NOV states which permits); fees can be appealed to the Board of Appeals24
Lien or recorded notice SFBC Section 110A, Table 1A-KViolations not corrected by the date in the Director's Order of Abatement25Lien recordation charges: $1,711 or 10% of the unpaid balance including interest, whichever is greater23–
Daily fine SFBC Section 110A, Table 1A-KOpen code enforcement cases moved to a Director's Hearing (abatement fees accrue)25Abatement fees accrue until the problem is fixed; Building Official's Abatement Order Hearing $595 per hour (minimum two hours); in-house violation monitoring $152 per month23–

For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.

Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)

Homeowner may pull a building permit
Yes26
Homeowner electrical work
Conditional: owners of stand-alone single-family dwellings (R-3) only27
Homeowner plumbing work
Conditional: owners of stand-alone single-family dwellings (R-3) only28
Affidavit or declaration
Owner package (Property Owner Disclosure Form) required for OTC permits19

California's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the California permit guide.

California rules that also apply in San Francisco

Sources

  1. Department of Building Inspection | SF.govCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Schedule and pay for your inspectionCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  3. Permit Services at DBICity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Code Enforcement at DBICity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 6, 2026
  5. Fences | SF PlanningCity and County of San Francisco, Planning DepartmentLast updated May 10, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  6. Frequently Asked Questions: Storage Sheds Exempt from a Building PermitCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  7. Ordinance No. 231-25: Building Code - Repeal of Existing 2022 Code and Enactment of 2025 EditionCity and County of San Francisco, Board of Supervisors (Clerk of the Board, sfbos.archive.sf.gov)Adopted November 18, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
  8. Guide to Title 24, 6th EditionCalifornia Department of General Services, Building Standards CommissionPublished July 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  9. Ordinance No. 226-25: Plumbing Code - Repeal of Existing 2022 Code and Enactment of 2025 CodeCity and County of San Francisco, Board of Supervisors (Clerk of the Board, sfbos.archive.sf.gov)Adopted November 18, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
  10. Ordinance No. 227-25: Mechanical Code - Repeal of Existing 2022 Code and Enactment of 2025 CodeCity and County of San Francisco, Board of Supervisors (Clerk of the Board, sfbos.archive.sf.gov)Adopted November 18, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
  11. Ordinance No. 228-25: Electrical Code - Repeal of Existing 2022 Code and Enactment of 2025 CodeCity and County of San Francisco, Board of Supervisors (Clerk of the Board, sfbos.archive.sf.gov)Adopted November 18, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
  12. Current San Francisco building codesCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 6, 2026
  13. Fee Schedule Table 1A-A: Building Permit Fees (July 2026)City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionEffective July 12, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  14. Fees for the Department of Building InspectionCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  15. Fee Schedule Table 1A-B: Other Building Permit and Plan Review Fees (July 2026)City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionEffective July 12, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  16. Fee Schedule Table 1A-G: Inspections, Surveys and Reports (July 2026)City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionEffective July 12, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  17. Fee Schedule Table 1A-J: Miscellaneous Fees (July 2026)City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionEffective July 12, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  18. Where to apply for your permitCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  19. Get an Over-the-Counter permit for your exterior residential projectCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  20. Check if your building permit needs plansCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  21. Permit Application Timelines, Expiration and ExtensionsCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  22. Information Sheet M-06: Title 24 CEC Certificate of Installation, Verification, and Acceptance Compliance RequirementsCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionPublished August 6, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  23. Fee Schedule Table 1A-K: Penalties, Hearings, Code Enforcement Assessments (July 2026)City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionEffective July 12, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
  24. Notice of Violation (NOV)City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  25. Fix your building and housing code violationCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  26. Who Can Obtain a Building Permit? (and Property Owner / Licensed Contractor forms)City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  27. Apply for an electrical permitCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  28. Apply for a plumbing and mechanical permitCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026