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 if you are:

• Moving walls or changing the floor plan
• Adding a new bathroom
• Adding a new laundry room
• Adding habitable space

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

Create your building project plans

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

Email techq@sfgov.org is 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.

Pick the form that applies to you.

• For owners, fill out the owner package.
• For contractors, fill out the contractor statement.
• For authorized agents, fill out the authorized agent form.

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

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

All building permit applications must fill out our Green Energy 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 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.

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.