The Permit Center will open at 10:00am on Monday, January 12 and Tuesday, January 13 to accommodate a large, system-wide training.

Public Works is reducing counter service hours in January 2026, to prepare for the launch of the Public Works Permits Portal. The Public Works counter hours will be 9am-4pm on January 5-23.

DBI review staff will be in training from 11am to 1:30pm on: January 6-7, January 21-22, and January 29. OTC Building plan review availability on the Permit Center floor may be affected.

Permit Center

A centralized service center for construction, special events, and business permitting.

Permit Center

A centralized service center for construction, special events, and business permitting.

Visit the Permit Center

We are open for in-person permit services at 49 S Van Ness. Over the Counter plan reviews until 4:30 PM, and general questions or seek assistance until 5:00 PM. For a quicker experience, we recommend arriving in the morning, as wait times tend to be shorter. Keep in mind that midday can get busy, leading to longer waits. Please note that queues may close early if we reach capacity. To make your visit smoother, check the current wait times at the Permit Center.See hours and wait times

Find in-person Permit Center services

Get over-the-counter permits and services.

See if your project is eligible for an OTC permit

Check examples of projects you can get over-the-counter permits for, with or without plans.

Services

Prepare for your visit

Check what forms you need for your business permits

Get prepared to apply for a business permit for 30-day review.

Fill out your Over-the-Counter building permit application form

Most building applications require a Form 3/8, also known as the pink form.

Gather documents for your building permit issuance

Bring these documents to get your building permit issued.

Apply for over-the-counter (OTC) permits

Get an over-the-counter permit for your interior residential remodel

Follow these instructions for projects like kitchen, bath, and other interior residential remodels.

Get an over-the-counter permit for your exterior residential project

Follow these instructions for doors, windows, reroofing, decks, fences, and other common exterior projects.

Get an over-the-counter permit for your commercial project

Follow our instructions to comply with our commercial construction requirements to get your building permit.

Get your small business permits with a 30-day review

Open a new business or change your business operations.

Get a fire-only permit

We are open for fire-only scopes of work.

Permit processing

Learn about our building permit review processes

We review every building permit application for life safety and building code compliance.

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.

Follow up on your permit application

File an appeal of a permit or decision

Appeal many San Francisco permits, determinations, and decisions with the Board of Appeals.

Print and Notary services onsite

Print, copy, or scan documents at the Permit Center

Send in your order online and pick up at the Permit Center. You can also print plans and signs.

Notary Services at the Permit Center

Order, pay, and schedule your appointment for notary at the Permit Center.

Other services

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.

Bring plans to the Permit Center for paper in-house review

Get a pre-plan check and submit plans for paper in-house review.

Print Shop now open!

Get your documents, plan sets, and Street Space permits printed onsite.Order prints

Resources

Customer Feedback Form

We want to hear from you. Tell us how we're doing at the Permit Center.

Code of Conduct for the Permit Center

Follow ground rules for how to work best with Permit Center staff.

QLess Guide

The Permit Center uses a virtual queueing system called QLess so that customers no longer have to wait in a physical line.

QLess Mobile App

QLess offers a convenient mobile app that lets you join selected OTC plan review queues at the Permit Center right from your phone.

Who to Contact: City Contracting & Compliance

About

On the second floor of 49 South Van Ness (49SVN), the new Permit Center provides a centralized place for construction, special events, and business permitting.

The Permit Center streamlines key services for improving homes and properties, opening and running a business, and planning community events.

Visit the Permit Center

See hours and wait times

Contact information

Address

Permit Center49 South Van Ness
2nd floor
San Francisco, CA 94103

Get directions

Monday9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Thursday8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Friday8:00 am to 5:00 pm

We are closed on public holidays. Plan Review and Print Center queues will close at 4:30pm, but payments will be accepted until 5pm.

Phone

628-652-4900

Leave a voicemail and include your email address. We will contact you within 2 business days.

Email

permitcenter@sfgov.org

Request public records

Submit requests for the Permit Center.