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In-house permits

The Department of Building Inspection (DBI) reviews every building permit application for life safety and building code compliance. We review complex projects In-House. DBI has transitioned to 100% Electronic Plan Review for In-House projects. For more information, please scroll down and click on the “Electronic plan review resources” link below.

In-house review project assignment

As of November 21, 2024, building plan review is currently assigning projects that arrived at the Building Station before October 4, 2024.

Once your project is assigned to a plan reviewer, you can expect the plan review to begin the following week.

Services

Learn about the process

Prepare for your construction project

Before you apply for a building permit, follow these steps.

Learn about our building permit review processes

We review every building permit application for life safety and building code compliance.

Start your building permit application

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.

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.

Permit processing

Resubmit plans for a building permit application

Follow our instructions to upload revisions for non-licensed Bluebeam users or Mac users.

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.

Unissued Extension or Withdrawal Form

Request to extend or withdraw your unissued building permit application

Related permits

Get your small business permits with a 30-day review

Open a new business or change your business operations under Prop H.

Submit construction addenda for your Site Permit

Follow our instructions to submit construction addenda to the Site Permit.

More services

Apply for a kitchen or bath remodel permit

Registered general contractors can get permits online to renovate a kitchen or bath.

Comply with floodplain management requirements

Check your construction location. You may need to complete a checklist when you apply for building permits.

Contractors: Schedule inspections online for your permitted work

Contractors can sign into their DBI account to schedule a building, electrical, or plumbing inspection.

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)

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

Electronic plan review (EPR) resources

DBI has transitioned to 100% Electronic Plan Review.

Click here for training materials and resource guides for building permit Electronic Plan Review.

See resources

Resources

In-House Permit Process
In-House Review Forms and Applications Portal

This page features online portals and forms to apply for an In-House Review building permit.
Building project plans for Full Permits

Follow these rules to create plans for Full Permit Review. These directions are for Full Permits without a Site Permit.
How to create PDFs of your plans or addenda

Follow these rules to create PDFs of revised plans and addenda to submit.
Plan review process in Bluebeam

We have transitioned to 100% Electronic Plan Review for In-House projects.
Find out how the City uses Bluebeam to do plan reviews.
How to use Bluebeam

Find out how to use Bluebeam, our plan review software.
Convert your paper In-House Review building permit application to a digital format

Follow these instructions to convert your paper In-House Review building permit application to a digital format and resubmit it to complete the review process using electronic plan review (EPR).
Convert your Over-the-Counter building permit application to In-House Review

Follow these instructions to convert your paper Over-the-Counter form 8 building permit application to a digital In-House Review form 3.
Permit Processing
Learn about the Permit Review Roundtable

Building permit applications for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) being proposed under the State or Hybrid Programs can be reviewed in advance by all relevant City departments and discussed with the design professional during a virtual meeting with plan checkers from those departments.
DBI Staff Directory
DBI Staff Directory

Contact information for all DBI staff, including phone number and email address.

Departments

Department of Building Inspection

DBI approves plans and issues permits for all construction in the City. We make sure buildings are safe and comply with building and housing codes.

SF Planning

Under the direction of the Planning Commission, we work to help guide the growth and development of our City.

Fire Department

SFFD protects San Franciscans from fires and natural disasters, through education and emergency services.

Public Utilities Commission

We provide drinking water and wastewater services to San Francisco and hydroelectric and solar power to municipal departments.

Public Works

We are one of the largest and most complex municipal operations in the City, with a 1,600-member workforce and a $384 million annual operating budget.