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.

The entrance of the Permit Center, with the City seal engraved on 2 stories of the glass facade.

Visit the Permit Center

We are open for in-person permit services at 49 S Van Ness. See critical visit info and current wait times.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.

Permit Streamlining: Site Permit Reform Project

Read how the City plans on reducing processing timelines while ensuring City mandates are met, including housing and economic recovery.

Services

Prepare for your visit

Check what forms you need for your business permits

Answer our questions and we will tell you what forms you need to fill out to get your business permits through Prop H.

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 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 your small business permits with a 30-day review

Open a new business or change your business operations under Prop H.

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

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

Code of Conduct for the Permit Center

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

Customer Feedback Form

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

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

Monday7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Wednesday9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Thursday7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Friday7:30 am to 4:00 pm

See hours for specific counters.

Starting on Monday, April 28, the Permit Center will have new operating hours to better meet customer needs: Monday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Tuesday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Phone

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.