Permit Services of the Department of Building Inspection issues building, electrical, plumbing/mechanical, and other construction-related permits to ensure that proposed construction meets all safety requirements.
Over-the-counter (OTC) permitsYou can get OTC review for projects that need less than 1 hour of plan review.
In-house permitsWe review complex projects in-house, accepting them for electronic plan review (EPR) or with paper plans.
Instant online permitsRegistered contractors can get electrical, plumbing, reroofing, kitchen and bath, and solar permits instantly.
Get an OTC permit for your interior residential remodel
Follow these instructions for projects like kitchen, bath, and other interior residential remodels.
Get an OTC permit for your exterior residential project
Follow these instructions for doors, windows, reroofing, decks, fences, and other common exterior projects.
Get an OTC permit for your commercial project
Follow our instructions to comply with our commercial construction requirements to get your building permit.
Get a building permit to do a Soft Story retrofit
Follow these instructions for Soft Story permits.
Permit process to legalize existing awnings
Most fees to legalize existing awnings are being waived through July 1, 2025.
Get a building permit with In-House Review
You must have a building permit to do construction. Follow these steps for In-House Review permit applications.
Schedule a pre-application meeting
Optional: Meet with DBI or Fire Department staff to review code issues before you apply for a building permit.
Apply for your Affordable Housing and Development Agreement online
You can now submit some building permit applications online.
Prepare for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project
Decide if you want to add an ADU and prepare your application.
Legalize a unit in your home
Overview of the Unit Legalization program, for units that were built before 2013 without a permit.
Recheck your plans for your building permit application
Recheck your plans with the plan checker from your first review. Email your plan checker to coordinate a time to meet.
Track your building permit application or property complaint
Find building permits for current and past construction projects in our permit tracking system.
Gather documents for your building permit issuance
Bring these documents to get your building permit issued.
Resubmit a building permit for new housing using the City's streamlined process
You can withdraw and resubmit a building permit application for new housing that was originally filed before 1/1/24 to benefit from the City’s streamlined review process and enhanced legal protections. The new process and protections are the result of Mayor Breed's housing permitting efficiency initiatives and state bills AB 2234 and AB 1114.
Apply for an electrical permit
Learn when you need an electrical permit. Registered contractors can get permits online.
Apply for a plumbing and mechanical permit
See when you need a plumbing or mechanical permit. Registered contractors can get permits online.
Apply for a kitchen or bath remodel permit
Registered general contractors can get permits online to renovate a kitchen or bath.
Apply for a reroofing permit
Registered contractors can get permits online for some roof replacement work.
Apply for a PTO (Permit to Operate Boiler)
Large boilers must be certified every year. Registered contractors can apply online.
Register with the City as a licensed contractor
You can file electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and Boiler to Operate permits online, if you register.
Get a permit for a solar photovoltaic system
Submit your application to install a photovoltaic (PV) system with solar panels and eligible battery storage.
Comply with slope protection requirements for your building project
Check your construction location. You may need to provide additional reports when applying for building permits.
Comply with floodplain management requirements
Check your construction location. You may need to complete a checklist when you apply for building permits.
Fill out the Green Building forms
All building permit applications must fill out our Green Building forms.