AGENCY

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're certified by the state to regulate and inspect businesses to ensure 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.
Department of Public Health - 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.
Apply for a permit to operate a body art establishment
Get a permit to own or operate a location offering tattoo, body piercing, or permanent cosmetics.
Hunters Point Naval Shipyard - Cleanup Overview
The Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, a former active U.S. Naval base, is undergoing a multi-year cleanup of toxic materials to protect the community and environment. Follow this page for updates.

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 information

Address

Permit Center49 South Van Ness
2nd floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Get directions
Monday to
Tuesday to
Wednesday to
Thursday to
Friday to

See hours for specific counters.

Starting on Monday, April 28, the Permit Center will have new operating hours to better meet customer needs: Monday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Phone

415-252-3800

Email

Request public records

Submit requests for the Environmental Health.