SERVICE
Apply for a plumbing and mechanical permit
See when you need a plumbing or mechanical permit. Registered contractors can get permits online.
What to know
Cost
Permit fees depend on the scope of work. Refer to the plumbing/mechanical permit fees schedule for details.
Requirements
You need a permit before cutting into or replacing pipes, particularly pipes that will be covered by a wall or buried in the ground. See exemptions in San Francisco Plumbing Code Section 104.2.
You must be a licensed contractor registered with the City of San Francisco to apply for a plumbing or mechanical permit online.
What to know
Cost
Permit fees depend on the scope of work. Refer to the plumbing/mechanical permit fees schedule for details.
Requirements
You need a permit before cutting into or replacing pipes, particularly pipes that will be covered by a wall or buried in the ground. See exemptions in San Francisco Plumbing Code Section 104.2.
You must be a licensed contractor registered with the City of San Francisco to apply for a plumbing or mechanical permit online.
What to do
Apply online
Log into the Plumbing Permitting and Inspection Scheduling system.
If you don’t have an account, you can create one by registering with the City of San Francisco as a licensed contractor.
The system will only show you permits that you can obtain with your trade license.
The application will ask you about your planned plumbing or mechanical work. You can pay and immediately get your permit online.
Apply in person
Download, complete, and print the applications.
We’ll also have paper copies of the applications in our office.
2nd floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
We are closed on public holidays. Plan Review and Print Center queues will close at 4:30pm. Payments, general questions and assistance are available until 5:00pm.
Special cases
Homeowners
Only owner-installers of stand-alone single family dwellings may apply for a plumbing or mechanical permit to do the work themselves. Check your home’s official status in the Assessor’s map.
If you cannot demonstrate that you can do the work safely, you will need to hire a licensed contractor.
- Complete the Plumbing Permit Application Worksheet for plumbing, gas, and water work. Complete the Mechanical Permit Application Worksheet for furnace and air conditioning (temperature changing) work. Mark that you are a homeowner.
- Email the application to dbi.inspectionservices@sfgov.org. You will also need to attach documents proving you are the homeowner.
- We will forward the application to a DBI plumbing inspector. They will schedule a call to discuss details of your planned work.
Before covering pipes, you must have it inspected.
Backflow prevention assemblies are part of San Francisco’s annual cross-connection control program. Learn more about cross-connection control.
Partner agencies
Contact us
Phone
Additional info
For issues with the online permit system
Email dbionlineservices@sfgov.org or call 628-652-3320.