Check Permit Center hours by counter

We offer over the counter services and permits for construction, business, and special events.

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Permit Center hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm 
Wednesday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

The following counters have limited hours: 

  • Office of Small Business (OSB) 
    • Weekdays: 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
  • Technical Services Division (DBI) 
    • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:30 am to 11:30 am
    • Wednesday: 9:00 am to 11:30 am
  • Environmental Health OTC Plan Review (DPH)
    • Weekdays: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Public Works: Urban Forestry (PW)
    • Monday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
    • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
  • SF Recreations and Parks (RPD)  
    • Thursday and Friday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
    • You can book online or find more information on how to reach staff at sfrecpark.org
  • Entertainment Commission (EC)  
  • The Print Center
    • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
    • Wednesday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
    • Closed for lunch from 1:00pm to 1:30pm daily. 

Espesyal na mga kaso

Key Programs Counter (DBI)

Key Programs Counter (DBI)

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm; Weds 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

For submittal for the following programs, contact the programs directly if you have questions.

Office of Small Business (OSB)

Office of Small Business (OSB)

Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to noon and 1:00 to 5:00 pm, except for holidays

OSB provides the following services at the Permit Center:

  • Field permitting inquiries from small businesses and route customers to the appropriate agencies for additional support
  • Assist customers with understanding the overall journey for their permitting needs
  • Serve as the main point of contact for customers who require services from several agencies
  • Provide proactive follow-up and updates to customers
  • Provide general small business assistance on City resources like First Year Free, grant programs, and Accessible Business Entrance program requirements
  • Organizing and coordinating information sessions (virtual or in-person) on frequently asked permitting questions for small businesses

For help, call 415-554-6134 or email sfosb@sfgov.org.

Over the Counter (OTC) Fire-Only

Over the Counter (OTC) Fire-Only

Submit your OTC fire and life safety projects by following the above OTC with plans process. 

For help, call (628) 652-3472 or visit SFFD Plan Review.

Over the Counter (OTC) with plans

Over the Counter (OTC) with plans

We offer drop-in service for Over the Counter (OTC) with plans projects.  

You may submit a maximum of 1 application per review.

See additional information on OTC projects.

Over the Counter (OTC) without plans

Over the Counter (OTC) without plans

Submit your over-the-counter no plans project in person. Remember to bring your application and completed forms with supporting documents.

You may submit a maximum of 2 OTC No Plans applications per review.

For help, email techq@sfgov.org.

See additional information on OTC projects

Print Center

Print Center

Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Wednesdays.

We provide a convenient, fast, low-cost solution for your most common printingcopying, and scanning needs. 

The Print Center closes for lunch from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm daily. 

SF Department of Public Health (DPH)

SF Department of Public Health (DPH)

Environmental Health OTC plan review hours: weekdays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

SF DPH provides the following services at the Permit Center. You do not need an appointment. 

Environmental Health in-person general assistance is available during the Permit Center's hours of operation. 

  • Applications and payments
  • Appointments
  • General questions 

For help, email EnvHealth.DPH@sfdph.org or visit SF DPH Environmental Health.

SF Planning Consultation Services

SF Planning Consultation Services

SF Planning provides in-person consultation services for:

  • General Land Use and Zoning 
  • SF Planning Code 
  • Neighborhood plan or area plan
  • General questions and assistance

You do not need an appointment.

For help, email pic@sfgov.org or visit SF Planning.

SF Public Works (BSM)

SF Public Works (BSM)

BSM provides the following in-person over-the-counter (OTC) construction services:

  • Street Space permit
  • Sidewalk Repair permit
  • Inspection Right-of-Way Conformity 
  • General BSM permitting questions
  • Acceptance of documents for a permit under review like Bonds or insurance.
  • Acceptance of payments for permits via check or credit card. Cash will not be accepted. 
  • Limit 3 applications per review

In-house and commercial permits for BSM are only accepted via the online portal or email, and will not be accepted at the Permit Center. 

For help, email streetspace@sfdpw.org or visit SF Public Works.

SF Public Works Urban Forestry (BUF)

SF Public Works Urban Forestry (BUF)

Hours: 

  • Weekdays except Tuesday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
  • Tuesday from 10:00 am to 12:00pm, then 1:00pm to 4:00 pm.
  • Closed 12:00pm to 1:00pm every weekday.

BUF provides the following services and permits:

  • All applications for tree planting, tree removal, sidewalk landscaping, and tree protection will be accepted. Online submission is preferred.
  • In some cases, tree planting and landscaping can be issued OTC. Email for questions. 
  • Payment accepted for all invoices issued by the BUF; application fees for applications that have already been submitted
  • General inquiries and questions

Permits not issued OTC and accepted online, by email and phone include:

  • Tree Removal (requires physical inspection and notice)

For help, call 628-652-8773 or email urbanforestry@sfdpw.org.

SF Recreation and Park Department (RPD)

SF Recreation and Park Department (RPD)

Hours: Thursday or Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the exception of holidays

SF RPD provides services at the Permit Center for:

  • Picnic Site Reservations
  • Athletic Field Reservations (occasional/single day only)
  • Proof of Residency Verification for Athletic Field Reservations
  • Payment Processing (Check or Credit Card Only)
  • Consultations

All permits are available online at sfrecpark.org

For help, call 415-831-5500 or email RPDReservations@sfgov.org.

Technical Services Division (DBI)

Technical Services Division (DBI)

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri: 7:30 am to 11:30 am; Weds 9:00 am to 11:30 am

Get help with general questions and assistance with the San Francisco Building Code.

For help, email techq@sfgov.org.

Trade Permits (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Solar)

Trade Permits (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Solar)

Apply for the following Trade Permit online if you are a licensed contractor with an online DBI account:

You may also apply in person without an appointment. There's a limit of 3 applications per review.

For help, email dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org or visit SF DBI.

Last updated October 8, 2024