Get an OTC permit for your exterior residential project

These exterior projects qualify for over-the-counter review:

• Windows
• Exterior doors
• Garage doors replacement
• Re-roofing
• Minor dry rot repairs

Decks, stairs, and fences

• Exterior siding repairs or replacement
• Repairing decks and stairs (less than 50%)
• Decks less than 10 feet above grade that meet Planning setbacks
• Roof decks in buildable area that meet Planning setbacks
• Fences taller than 6 feet in side or rear yard (max of 10 feet) or taller than 3 feet in front yard

(Shorter fences do not require a permit.)

You need plans if your project includes:

• Repairing or replacing decks and/or stairs (more than 50%) 
• New windows or exterior doors in new locations 
• New skylights in new locations 
• Decks less than 20 feet above grade that meet Planning Department setback requirements 
• Projects that do not require Planning Department neighborhood notifications 
• Fences taller than 6 feet in side or rear yards and/or fences taller than 3 feet in front yard 
• Exterior façade work, visible from street, that involves changes in finishes (i.e.: changing stucco to wood siding, changing wood to vinyl siding, etc.) 
• Residential security gates at entry doors and/or window security bars, grills and grates 
• New mechanical equipment installed inside or outside the building (when a building permit is required)

Hire a designer, architect, or engineer to prepare your plans.

Create your building project plans

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

Email techq@sfgov.org if you are not sure if your project needs plans.

The SF Planning Department reviews plans to make sure they meet Planning Codes. Go to the Property Information Map for more information about the property.

If you need plans, you can reference Planning’s Plan Submittal Guidelines.

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

See: Who can obtain a building permit

Pick the form that applies to you.

• For owners, fill out the owner package.
• For contractors, fill out the contractor statement.

Print them and bring them with you when applying for a building permit.

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

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

Bring your permit application to the Permit Center.

If your project needs plans, bring two 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 Mayor’s Office on Disability (MOD) for accessibility review and inspection.

Project plans currently under review by MOD 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. 

MOD 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.

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.

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

• Get a street space permit
• Apply for trades permits
• Get a permit for collection and transport of mixed construction & demolition debris

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