Get an Over-the-Counter permit for your commercial project

Follow these steps to comply with our commercial construction requirements to get your building permit.

The Department of Building Inspection reviews every building permit application for life safety and building code compliance.

Most commercial projects can be reviewed over-the-counter. Review our instructions to prepare the right forms and schedule a time to submit your building permit application.

Some businesses are eligible for a 30-day review for business permits under Proposition H. See details about small business permit review in 30 days.

Check where to apply for your permit

Ways to apply for a permit

The City offers multiple ways to apply for a permit, including the PermitSF Portal, Online Contractor Permits, Over-the-Counter, and In-House Review.

See a list of which permit types are available for each way to apply

Identify your permit type and how to apply

Choose the option below that applies to your project.

If your permit type is available in the PermitSF Portal, create a free OpenGov account to apply for a permit and track its status.
If your permit type is available as an Online Contractor Permit, apply through our online system.
If your permit type is available Over-the-Counter, apply in person at the Permit Center.
If your permit requires In-House Review, submit your application for plan review.

Licensed contractors

For PermitSF Portal applications, verify your license and add any authorized agents to your license before applying. Learn how to register yourself or authorized agents in the PermitSF Portal.
For Online Contractor Permits, Over-the-Counter, or In-House Review, register with the City as a licensed contractor before applying.

Check if your project qualifies for Over-the-Counter

These commercial projects qualify for Over-the-Counter review:

Commercial tenant improvement projects
Office or other B occupancy remodels
Power door operators

All commercial building projects require architectural plans. Hire a designer or architect.

Create your building project plans

Bring 2 sets of plans when you submit your building permit application.

All other commercial projects must be reviewed in-house.

In-kind (same size and location) replacement of door, window, and siding projects must be submitted online through the PermitSF permitting portal.

Fill out forms about your role on the project

We need to know your role on the project to apply for an OTC permit.

See who can obtain a building permit

Fill out the form that applies to you.

For owners, fill out the Property Owner's Disclosures form.
For commercial tenants / business owners, fill out the owner package with the property owner's authorization.
For contractors, fill out the contractor statement.

Print your completed forms and bring them with you when apply for a building permit.

Check commercial construction requirements

Check our required processes to apply for a building permit for a commercial project.

Check commercial construction requirements

Fill out the permit application form

You will need property and construction details to fill out your building permit application.

Fill out your Over-the-Counter building permit application form

and

Fill out the Green Building form

All building permit applications must fill out our Green Building forms.

Fill out the Green Building forms

and

Fill out water use forms

For construction projects that add new water fixtures or fire sprinklers, fill out this form.

Fill out water use forms

and

Fill out the Health Plan Review form

Fill out this form to determine if your project requires Health Plan Review.

Submit your application

Time:2 to 8 hours

Come to the Permit Center to submit your application.

If your project needs plans, bring 2 sets of plans when you submit your building permit application.

You will get a building permit application number.

We will review your application, check your plans, and route your application to the required stations in person.

You may need to come back on a separate day to finish your plans.

Please note that the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) is now conducting all disabled access review as part of our plan review.

Plans requiring a DBI permit that are not project managed by the Department of Public Works no longer need to go to the Office on Disability and Accessibility (ODA) for accessibility review and inspection.

Project plans currently under review by ODA that are not finalized by June 30, 2023 will complete and be finalized with DBI-assigned accessibility specialists. As of July 1, 2023, new projects will be fully reviewed by DBI, including for accessibility.

ODA will continue to review projects that do not require a permit, will continue to conduct ADA Title II barrier removal inspections and provide technical assistance regarding disability access compliance and best practices, including but not limited to compliance with the American's with Disabilities Act.

Starting July 1, DBI will also be conducting disability access inspections. More information will be available soon.

and

Recheck your plans

You may need to update your plans to address plan check comments.

After you address plan check comments, recheck your plans with the plan checker from your first review. Schedule with your plan checker by email.

Recheck your plans for your building permit application

Get related permits

During your permit review process, you may also need to:

Get a street space permit
Apply for trades permits

For registered contractors, use instant online permits for electrical and plumbing.

Pay your remaining fees and get your job card

Cost:

3 to 4.5% of construction cost

Use our checklist of what to bring to get your job card for an issued permit.

You must have your job card before you can start construction.

Post your construction document at the construction site.