You may need approval before you:

• Remodel or construct: retail food locations, vending machines, laundromats, and animal boarding locations.

• Install or replace: cooking equipment, ventilation hoods, water heaters, plumbing, restrooms, walls, floors, or ceiling finishes.

Know the steps

1. Prepare your plans

  • Get your construction plans ready for City review.
  • Plans must be drawn to scale and look professional.

View what you need to include.

2. Go to the Permit Center

  • Make an appointment to meet with Building Inspection.
  • Follow the instructions for submitting your plan.

 

Submit plans for a Building Permit

3. Have Public Health review your plans

  • You'll be directed at the Permit Center to stations like Public Health.
  • Staff will guide you in next steps.

DPH Plan Check Application.

 

 

Get help

Prepare your construction plans

Prepare your construction plans

Have your plans drawn scale and include all equipment and finish schedules.

You will be able to submit your plans for review either:

  • Online
    or
  • With printed hard copies

View our construction plan guidelines to prepare for your review.

Submit your plans

Submit your plans

The process for getting a building permit includes review by the Department of Public Health.

Submit plans in person

Visit the San Francisco Permit Center to apply for a building permit with the Department of Building Inspection (DBI).

Include your construction floor plans and specifications.

Make sure "health" is included as a routing station with your application.

Or submit plans online

If you can't make it to the Permit Center, you may be able to submit your plans digitally.

Your digital documents will be routed for review with the appropriate City agencies.

Find out how to digitally submit plans for review.

Know your fee

Know your fee

The Health Department collects a fee for reviewing plans. It is separate from the Building Inspection fees.

Staff will confirm how much you owe at your appointment or after you submit documents online. 

You can plan ahead by checking current fees for review of food plans.

Pay online

Visit https://myhealthdepartment.com/san-francisco

Search by invoice #

Pay in person

Pay at Counter 83 at the Permit Center.

We take check, Visa, and Mastercard.

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

Pay by mail

Make check payable to SFDPH with your contact information.

Write on the memo line: "DPH Plan Check Fee for [project address]."

Mail to:

San Francisco Department of Public Health
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103

Check permit status

Check permit status

After you submit all of your required documents, wait to hear back.

You can check the status of building permits online using the site address or application number.

Check the status of your permit.

Set up site inspections

Set up site inspections

After your plans are approved by all required City agencies, you'll need to schedule construction site inspections.

You'll want to set up a:

  • Construction or Pre-final inspection
    Once work is 80 percent finished (including plumbing, walls, floor, and ceiling finishes)
     
  • Final inspection
    When construction is complete

Contact your health plan reviewer at least 2 weeks in advance to set up your site inspections.

Get help with final inspections to open your business

Get help at the Permit Center

Get help at the Permit Center

Visit public health counter 82 at the Permit Center to talk about your plan and what you need to submit.

Department of Public Health

Environmental Health
Permit Center
49 South Van Ness Avenue
Counters 82 and 83
San Francisco, CA 94103
View location on google maps

Counter #82 - Plan Check
M-F: 9am - 3pm

Counter #83 - Cashier Clerk
M/T/Th/F: 7:30am - 4pm
W: 9am - 4pm

Program contacts

Program contacts

Rochelle Veloso: 415-252-3809

Joanna Huber: 415-252-3858

Luz Brown: 415-252-3958

Kristine Der: 415-252-3871

Sharon Aguila-Leonard: 415-252-3861

Antoinette Flores: 415-252-3946

Doug Obana: 415-252-3993

Food Safety program

EnvHealth.DPH@sfdph.org

415-252-3800

View the numbers listed in program contacts to reach a specific person.

Building codes

628-652-3720

TechQ@sfgov.org