Request public building records

You can get permit records or start the process to get building plans.

What to do

1. Check what records you can request

We have the following record types available:

2. Request records

You can submit six requests per person, per company, per day. 

You will fill out a records request form electronically in our office.

Department of Building Inspection

Records Management Division
49 South Van Ness
Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94103

Mon to Tue, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm

Wed, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

Thu to Fri, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm

View location on google maps

Sign into the building before 3:30 pm so we can see you at the counter the same day. 

Email or mail

Email or mail

Download and fill out the form

We will ask you:

  • Occupancy type of the building
  • If it’s a corner building
  • Types of records you want
  • If you want records from a certain date range

Email the form

If you send us an email, you will get a response within 24 hours.

 

Or print and mail the form

Department of Building Inspection

Records Management Division
49 South Van Ness
Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94103

Sign into the building before 3:30 pm so we can see you at the counter the same day. 

We will contact you to confirm the records you want to request.

If you want to get the records through the mail, we’ll send hard copies via Certified Mail with a fee.

Picking up your requested records

We will let you know via email when you can pick up the records. It may take up to 15 days, depending on the amount of research required. 

We will let you know of any fees that are due, and ask how you want to pick up the records.

Special cases

Building plans

Building plans

State law allows you to view building plans in our offices. To provide you with copies of building plans, we first need approval from the following:

  • Current property owner
  • All design professionals listed on the plans

Apply to get copies of official building plans.

Note that you need more documents to view building plans for banks and government-owned buildings.

Get help

Phone

Records Management Division

Last updated July 25, 2022