Get an OTC permit for your interior residential remodel

These interior residential projects qualify for over-the-counter review:

• Interior remodels
• In-kind kitchen remodel 
• In-kind bathroom remodel
• ​New bathrooms
• New laundry rooms
• Repairing decks and stairs (less than 50%)

You need plans for a:

• Kitchen remodel (changing layout and floor plan / removing walls) 
• Bathroom remodel (changing layout and floor plan / removing walls) 
• Residential interior remodel (changing floor plans / removing walls) 
• Structural repairs and alterations
• Voluntary seismic upgrade   
• New mechanical equipment installed inside or outside the building (when a building permit is required)
• New laundry center, washer, dryer, or laundry sink hookups in new/existing areas within the existing building 
• In-kind replacement of garage slab (no ceiling height changes) Note: saw-cutting SOG to repair/replace sewer lines does not require plans
• Brace and bolt seismic upgrade per DBI Information Sheet S-09 
• Projects that do not require Planning Department neighborhood notifications

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.

Your construction project may require earthquake safety improvements if it includes any of these:

• Horizontal addition that adds more than 30% to the size in square feet of the building
• Structural alterations to more than 30% of the floor and roof areas
• Changes to walls and ceilings on more two-thirds of the stories of the building
• Change of occupancy of more than 100 people
• Adding 3rd dwelling unit in a below-ground basement

Hire an engineer to work with your architect.

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 apply 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.

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

Come to the Permit Center to submit your application.

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

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

Note: Electrical & Plumbing work must have permits separate from the building permit.