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Building Permit Requirements
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Do you need a permit to replace a roof in San Francisco?

Yes. San Francisco requires a permit to replace a roof1.

Last checked

On this page
  1. Which permits you need
  2. Limits and conditions in San Francisco's rule
  3. What to submit
  4. Who can apply
  5. Roof permit fees in San Francisco
  6. Inspections
  7. Review time
  8. Special areas and extra reviews
  9. Who to ask
  10. Roof permit rules in other cities
  11. Sources

Yes

San Francisco's rule

“You need a permit before installing, repairing, or removing roofing material. See exemptions in San Francisco Building Code Section 106a.2 item 13.”1

City and County of San Francisco, Department of Building Inspection, What to know > Requirements

Which permits you need

PermitRequired whenThe city’s wording
Roofing permitOnline reroofing permit: no plans and no structural componentsDoes not involve replacing any structural components, such as framing or decking/sheathing…1
Building permitPlans or structural componentsIf the work requires plans or involves replacing structural components, get an over-the-counter (OTC) building permit.1

Limits and conditions in San Francisco's rule

Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.

RuleValueThe city’s wording
Re-roof area without roofing material25%Reroofing without the installation, repair or removal of roof material, if the total surface area of the roof reroofed in any 12-month period does not exceed 25 percent of the entire surface area of the roof.2

What to submit

  • Information requested in the online application1
  • Photos for landmark buildings1
  • Valuation1

Who can apply

  • Licensed C-39 contractor (online reroofing permit)1
  • Persons eligible to obtain a San Francisco Building Permit include: • Property Owners • State of California Licensed Contractors, or • An authorized agent for property owner or contractor…3

Roof permit fees in San Francisco

Fee lines as San Francisco's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.

FeeTypeAs the schedule states it
Reroofing permit cost, single-family homes and duplexesMinimum fee$514 and up1
Reroofing permit cost, all other building typesMinimum fee$714 and up1
Re-roofing Permit Fee, Single-Family Homes and DuplexesFlat fee$3204
Street space permit fee–included in reroofing permit fee1

All of San Francisco's fee lines are on the San Francisco permit page.

Inspections

  1. Reroofing inspections requested online1 PermitSF dashboard1

Review time

Goal: within two business days (historic residential and commercial)1. This is the department's published figure, not a guarantee.

Special areas and extra reviews

  • Landmark historic buildings need Planning approval letter1
  • Cool roof info for large commercial reroofs1

Who to ask

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)5

Building permits

Website
sf.gov5
Address
49 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103
5
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 pm5
Inspections
Voice Inspection Scheduling System 628-652-3401 (24/7) for non-PermitSF permits; PermitSF permits: request online from the PermitSF dashboard6

Roof permit rules in other cities

Rules differ from city to city. Compare San Francisco with 19 other cities on the national roof replacement permit guide, or go straight to one:

Sources

  1. Apply for a reroofing permitCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Check if your construction project needs a permitCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 6, 2026
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Department of Building Inspection | SF.govCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026
  6. Schedule and pay for your inspectionCity and County of San Francisco, Department of Building InspectionChecked November 7, 2026