San Francisco, California Permit Guide
Find San Francisco, California permit offices, local planning notes, application documents, and inspection questions in one guide.
Individual permit guides for San Francisco
- San Francisco Building Permit Guide
- San Francisco Exterior, Deck, and Fence Permit Guide
- San Francisco Solar, Electrical, and Reroofing Permit Guide
- San Francisco ADU Building Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Addition Deck Porch and Patio Cover Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Electrical Panel Circuit and Rewiring Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Plumbing Water Heater Repipe and Sewer Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California HVAC Heat Pump Gas and Ventilation Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Foundation Retaining Wall Grading and Drainage Permit Guide
- San Francisco, California Demolition Structural Wall Fireplace and Chimney Permit Guide
Start with jurisdiction and project scope
Before applying in San Francisco, confirm whether the property is within city limits or in unincorporated county territory. Describe the complete work to the office serving that parcel, including electrical, plumbing, structural, and site changes. Building, zoning, utility, and private HOA approvals can be separate.
Open the local official sources or prepare a project checklist.
Source availability audit: . This checks links, not every local rule. These compiled notes are starting points; confirm current dimensions, exemptions, fees, and adopted codes with the cited offices.
Building Permits
San Francisco residential permits can use over-the-counter review, in-house review, site permits, electronic plan review, or online contractor permits depending on project complexity.
Permit and scope questions
San Francisco reviews every building permit application for life safety and building code compliance.
Zoning and placement
Building permit projects may be sent to DBI, Planning, Fire, Public Utilities, Public Works, and other permitting agencies depending on scope.
Building and trade review
Simple projects may qualify for over-the-counter review, while more complex work uses in-house review or site permit processes.
Discuss your project early when: Call before applying if the project changes structure, adds floor area, needs Planning signoff, affects fire or utilities, or requires architectural plans.
Sources for this topic:
Exterior, Deck, and Fence Permits
San Francisco over-the-counter exterior permits cover windows, doors, reroofing, siding, deck and stair repairs, decks, roof decks, and fences that meet listed conditions.
Permit and scope questions
San Francisco says exterior residential projects such as windows, exterior doors, garage doors, reroofing, minor dry rot repairs, siding, decks, stairs, roof decks, and fences may qualify for over-the-counter review.
Zoning and placement
Decks and roof decks must meet Planning setback requirements, and fences over front-yard or side/rear-yard thresholds can require plans and permit review.
Building and trade review
Before finalizing plans, confirm with San Francisco's building office the height or depth limit and the grade or reference point used for measurement; the fence material, yard location and visibility restrictions; and the setbacks, easements and public-space constraints for the parcel. Use the current application instructions for the actual project scope.
Discuss your project early when: Contact San Francisco before ordering materials or starting work to resolve how the amount being repaired or replaced changes the approval path; the fence material, yard location and visibility restrictions; and whether attachment, a roof, stairs or required exit access changes the deck review. Bring the proposed dimensions, location and scope so the answer is tied to the project.
Sources for this topic:
Solar, Electrical, and Roof Permits
San Francisco has dedicated permit paths for solar PV systems, electrical work, and online reroofing permits for registered licensed contractors.
Permit and scope questions
San Francisco requires electrical permits before installing new wiring or alterations, extensions, or additions to electrical installations, and provides a separate solar PV permit path.
Zoning and placement
Solar projects can involve building type, battery storage, ballasted or ground-mounted systems, service upgrades, and Fire Department energy-storage rules.
Building and trade review
Registered licensed contractors can obtain some reroofing permits online, while solar projects may use SolarAPP+, Solar Permit, PV Plans, or building permit addenda depending on scope.
Discuss your project early when: Call before applying if the project includes energy storage, a ground-mounted or ballasted PV system, new service or panel upgrade, reroofing with plans, or owner-installed electrical work.
Sources for this topic:
ADU Permit
San Francisco ADU projects require building permits and can involve multiple units, seismic work, variances, certificates of appropriateness, and higher-cost review.
Permit and scope questions
San Francisco says a building permit is required to do construction for an accessory dwelling unit.
Zoning and placement
ADU projects can take longer when they include multiple ADUs, seismic work, variances, or a Certificate of Appropriateness.
Building and trade review
Project plans, property conditions, and scope determine which process applies before a building permit can be issued.
Discuss your project early when: Call before applying if the ADU changes occupancy, adds units, includes seismic work, affects a historic property, needs a variance, or changes utilities.
Sources for this topic:
Prepare a complete application conversation
- Permit application
- Project forms
- Plans if required
- Agency signoff information if applicable
- Exterior project forms
- Planning setback information
- Photos or drawings for visible exterior changes
- SolarAPP+ approval if eligible
- Electrical or solar permit application
- PV plans or equipment details
- Reroofing scope
- ADU building permit application
- Project plans
- Property and unit information
- Seismic, variance, or historic documents if applicable
Bring enough detail for staff to identify the correct application. Ask which plans need dimensions or a professional seal, how files should be named, and whether other departments must approve the proposal first.
Inspection planning
- Choose the correct review path
- Submit forms and plans
- Respond to review comments
- Schedule inspections
- Keep permit records available
- Check OTC eligibility
- Prepare forms and plans
- Submit at the Permit Center
- Schedule required inspections
- Keep approved plans available
- Apply through the correct DBI system
- Upload supporting documents if required
- Schedule electrical or building inspections
- Complete final approval
- Follow the ADU permit process
- Respond to agency review
- Schedule building and trade inspections
- Keep final approval records
Questions to resolve before work starts
- Which building, zoning, trade, utility, or public-works approvals apply to this exact scope?
- Is an apparent exemption limited to the building permit, while zoning or trade approval still applies?
- Which current fee schedule, code edition, and local amendments will be used?
- Who may apply, and which licensed trades must perform or supervise the work?
- Which inspection stages cannot be covered, and how is the final approval recorded?
Official source directory
- San Francisco Building Permits
- San Francisco Permitting
- San Francisco Building Permit Review Processes
- San Francisco Exterior Residential OTC Permit
- San Francisco Building Permit Plans
- San Francisco Solar PV Permit
- San Francisco Electrical Permit
- San Francisco Reroofing Permit
- San Francisco ADU Building Permit
If an official link is unavailable or redirects to a general page, use that government's site search or contact its permit office. Some government sites restrict automated access; that does not establish that a page is missing.