See more: Building Building permits Building code, permits, and inspections. Services Start a building permit application Get your small business permits with a 30-day review Open a new business or change your business operations under Prop H. Prepare for your construction project Before you apply for a building permit, follow these steps. Get a building permit You must have a building permit to do construction. See our limited permit services We are available Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm for limited over-the-counter permit services. Schedule a pre-application meeting Optional service: Meet with DBI or Fire Department staff to review code issues before you apply for a building permit. OTC waitlist is closed. For additional information: https://sfdbi.org/otcappointments Add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to your property Learn about adding accessory dwelling units (ADUs), in-law units, or cottages to residential properties. Permit processing Add our Back Check page to your plans You must add our Back Check page PDF to submit plans in Bluebeam, our electronic plan review software. Resubmit plans for a building permit application Upload plans that you changed in response to plan checker comments. Track your building permit application Find building permits for current and past construction projects in our permit tracking system (PTS). Submit addenda for your site permit Follow our instructions to submit addenda to a site permit originally submitted electronically. Learn about our building permit review processes We review every building permit application for life safety and building code compliance. Other permits and inspections Register with the City as a licensed contractor You can file electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and Boiler to Operate permits online, if you register. Schedule a building inspection Registered contractors can schedule building inspections online. Apply for a boiler permit Registered contractors can renew or apply for boiler permits online. Apply for a plumbing permit Registered contractors can apply for plumbing permits online. Apply for an electrical permit Registered contractors can apply for electric permits online. Building permits during the coronavirus outbreak Information on construction projects during the coronavirus pandemic Construction projects are allowed if they follow specific safety protocols. Get information to keep construction sites safe. City services during the coronavirus outbreak Essential government services are operating during the pandemic. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) Start your accessory dwelling unit (ADU) application online If your project is only for an ADU, start your application online. More services Over-the-counter (OTC) permit process Learn about our OTC without plans, OTC with plans, and Fire Department-review permits. Resources Building permits during the coronavirus outbreak The Department of Building Inspection and the Permit Center accept some building permit applications online. Current building codes The City updated building codes in 2019. The updated codes were effective January 1, 2020. Building permit fees The City requires you to pay building permit fees for all projects. Find the relevant fees for your project. Fire Department plan check information The Fire Department reviews plans for buildings with 3 or more residential units. Water, power, sewer, and stormwater requirements Follow these requirements to protect our water, energy efficiency, and sewer system function. Schedule a building inspection on the phone or in-person If you are not registered with the City, schedule your building inspection on the phone or in-person. Plan review process in Bluebeam Find out how we use Bluebeam to do plan reviews. How to use Bluebeam Find out how to use Bluebeam, our plan review software. Related departments Fire Department SFFD protects San Franciscans from fires and natural disasters, through education and emergency services. Department of Building Inspection DBI approves plans and issues permits all construction in the City. We make sure construction is safe according to building codes. Public Utilities Commission SF Planning Under the direction of the Planning Commission, we work to help guide the growth and development of our City.
