Part of Department of Public Health

Environmental Health

We help San Franciscans live and work safely by making sure our local businesses, restaurants, homes, and air and water sources meet health requirements.

The entrance of the Permit Center, with the City seal engraved on 2 stories of the glass facade.
Come to the Permit Center

Get help with your food safety, massage, swimming pool, or other environmental health permits. We can help with permit applications and plan checks.

Visit the permit center
Report a health nuisance or hazards

Contact 311 to report health issues connected to businesses, apartments, or other living and working spaces.
Environmental health fee schedule

Find fees for permit applications, licenses, and other costs related to the Environmental Health Branch (EHB).
Staff directory

Find contact information for all EHB staff.

Resources

Programs and services by topic
Food safety

We make sure food in San Francisco is safe for the public and provide food safety education, inspection, permitting, and other measures.
Business health requirements

Get the health permits and information you need for your business.
Hazardous materials and waste

We are certified with the state to regulate and inspect businesses and make sure hazardous materials and hazardous waste are managed safely.
Solid waste

We manage solid waste, trash issues, and garbage collection permits to keep San Francisco safe and healthy.
Healthy housing conditions

We help keep San Francisco housing healthy by protecting residents from vermin and lead poisoning.
Environmental cleanup

We regulate environmental cleanup efforts to keep San Francisco safe and healthy.
Air and water quality

We handle air quality issues like smoking and permits for water sources, pools, wells to keep San Francisco healthy.

About

Our staff inspect restaurants to make sure that the food is safe to eat, regulate businesses that use hazardous materials, respond to concerns about pests, mold and lead in housing, test natural swimming areas to ensure safe levels of bacteria, certify farmers' markets, and other programs to make sure our communities are safe and healthy places to live.

Contact

Permit Center

49 South Van Ness
2nd floor
San Francisco, CA 94103

Mon to Tue, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Wed, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Thu to Fri, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm

View location on google maps
Get directions

See hours for specific counters.

Phone

Request public records

Submit requests for the Environmental Health.