Check if your project requires a geotechnical report or third-party engineering review

Depending on your project, you may need a geotechnical report or other engineering review to ensure safe construction on San Francisco’s hillsides.

If your project requires additional review, you will need to hire one or more licensed engineers to prepare the following:

• Geotechnical report
• Third-party engineering review
• Structural Advisory Committee review

Once your licensed engineer submits all required documents, DBI will review your plans and a completeness check before your application moves forward for final review and approval.

Geotechnical report

A geotechnical report evaluates the soil conditions at your project site to make sure your foundation and retaining walls are designed safely. Your report should include foundation and retaining wall design requirements, including but not limited to:

• Information about how the soil may settle.
• Soil bearing pressure.
• Retaining wall pressure needs.
• A map showing where soil tests were done.
• Results from soil tests and samples.
• A simple description of the soil layers.
• Groundwater depth, if found.
• Foundation recommendations, including:
  • Soil strength.
  • How to address weak or expanding soils.
  • How to reduce sinking or earthquake risks.
  • Expected building settlement.
  • Deep foundation details, if needed.
  • Steps required for expanding soils.
• Test results for any added or compacted soil.
• Test results for low-strength fill.
• How the design keeps the building safe during earthquakes.

A licensed engineer must submit a geotechnical report if your project involves:

• Most new structures.
• Many additions.
• Grading with 50 cubic yards or less of fill that is less than one foot deep, or excavation that is less than two feet deep.
• Other requirements as detailed in Information Sheet S-05.

Steps to submit a geotechnical report:

1. Hire a licensed geotechnical engineer or a civil engineer experienced in geotechnical work.
2. The licensed engineer will upload the geotechnical report with your building permit application and drawings.
3. Include a signed and sealed letter from your licensed engineer confirming they reviewed and approved the final structural plans, drawings, and calculations.
4. Confirm the licensed engineer prepares the report in accordance with San Francisco Building Code Sections 1803 and J104.3.

Third-party engineering review

Some projects require review by an independent third-party engineer. This applies to areas that are in earthquake-related landslide zones. Third-party engineering review does not include a public hearing.

You may need third-party engineering review if:

• Your project site is located in or adjacent to an Earthquake-Induced Landslide Area, as shown on the California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology Seismic Hazard Zones Map for San Francisco (11/17/00).
• Your project site has a history of landslides.
• Your project meets one or more of the following:
  • New buildings or structures more than 1,000 square feet.
  • Additions creating 1,000 square feet of new floor area within the last three years.
  • More than 50 cubic yards of soil excavation or fill.
  • Work that may have a substantial impact on the stability of any property.

If your project requires third-party engineering review:

• DBI selects a third-party engineer pre-vetted by the department, and the property owner hires and pays for the engineer to review the geotechnical report and design.
• The third-party engineer then reports their findings directly to DBI.

Structural Advisory Committee

If your property is located in or near Northwest Mount Sutro or Edgehill Mountain landslide zones, DBI will require review by the Structural Advisory Committee. This panel of three engineers will conduct an independent review of your geotechnical report and project design to ensure hillside construction is safe. Public hearings will be held to review the report and proposal.

Northwest Mount Sutro and Edgehill Mountain landslide zones are located in the following block numbers:

• Edgehill Mountain Slope Protection Area: Blocks 2875, 2876, 2923, 2933, 2934, 2935, 2936A and 2936B.
• Northwest Mount Sutro Slope Protection Area: Blocks 1850, 1851, 2635, 2636, 2638, 2674, 2675, 2676, 2677, and 2686.

Check if your property is in the Northwest Mount Sutro or Edgehill Mountain landslide zones:

Visit the San Francisco Property Information Map, enter your address, and check your "Parcel Block/Lot" number to see if it matches one of the block numbers listed above.

If your property is not located in one of these areas, you should follow the standard building application process.

If your property appears in the Northwest Mount Sutro or Edgehill Mountain landslide zones:

• The Structural Advisory Committee independently reviews your geotechnical report and project design.
• At least one public hearing is held to review the report and proposal.
• DBI selects the committee of engineers pre-vetted by the department, and the property owner hires and pays for the committee's review. The committee then reports its findings independently to DBI.

DBI review process

When you submit your permit application, DBI will conduct a Completeness Check to make sure all required documents are included and to see if your project needs a geotechnical report or other engineering review.

If additional review is required, your application will include a note explaining why and what to do next. DBI will also let you know if your project needs review by the Structural Advisory Committee or a third-party engineer before it moves forward.

Questions?

We're here to help. If you have any questions, contact us at techq@sfgov.org.