Service
Licensed contractors: register yourself or authorized agents on PermitSF
Get a streamlined experience applying for building permits by getting an AUTH number
Department of Building InspectionWhat to know
Requirements
You must be the contractor license holder to use this form.
Any authorized agents you add will be connected to your license when they apply for building permits. You can add or remove authorized agents from your AUTH record as your organization staffing changes. Authorized agents should add you as a "guest" to any permits under your license.
For streamlined service
Authorized agents connected to an AUTH record will no longer need to provide authorized agent forms nor driver’s licenses every time they apply for a permit.
For eligible electrical, plumbing and mechanical, reroofing, and kitchen or bath projects, applicants connected to an AUTH record can get their permit right away.
What to know
Requirements
You must be the contractor license holder to use this form.
Any authorized agents you add will be connected to your license when they apply for building permits. You can add or remove authorized agents from your AUTH record as your organization staffing changes. Authorized agents should add you as a "guest" to any permits under your license.
For streamlined service
Authorized agents connected to an AUTH record will no longer need to provide authorized agent forms nor driver’s licenses every time they apply for a permit.
For eligible electrical, plumbing and mechanical, reroofing, and kitchen or bath projects, applicants connected to an AUTH record can get their permit right away.
What to do
1. Have your authorized agents create a free account in PermitSF
Each of your authorized agents should sign up at PermitSF.
Note the email addresses they used to create a PermitSF account. You will need to enter it in the form.
2. Gather information about your contractor license and authorized agents
We will ask you for:
- Your business name or California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) number
- Your San Francisco Business Account Number (BAN)
- A JPEG image of a government-issued ID, like your Driver’s License, state-issued ID card, alien registration card, passport, or form notarization. If you fill out the form on your phone, you can attach a photo directly from your phone.
- Full names and email addresses used for PermitSF accounts, for each authorized agent you want to add
3. Complete the contractor registration form
Fill out the form online at PermitSF.
Fill out the form on your phone to directly attach a photo of your government-issued ID without formatting issues. If you upload a photo from your computer, it must be a JPEG file.
After you apply
After you submit the form, the application will be identified by a record number starting with "AUTH."
We will review your application, verify your license and whether you're listed on your CSLB personnel list, and connect any authorized agents to your license in PermitSF within 2 business days.
You or your agents may be asked for the AUTH record number when applying for permits, to help streamline approvals.
Special cases
Adding or removing authorized agents after initial approval
Follow these steps to edit your contractor authorization record:
- Sign into your PermitSF profile.
- Once logged in, go to your "Dashboard" on the left side of the screen.
- Under "Action Required," locate "Renew your Contractor Authorization" and select "Renew Now."
- Click through the pre-filled form, until you get to step 5 "Authorized signatories." Add or remove entries.
- Submit the form.
Change in license ownership
If you sell your contracting business, have the new contractor license holder submit a new contractor authorization form. They must register themselves and add their own authorized agents.
Change in license number for a contractor
Follow these steps to change the CSLB number associated with your account:
- Sign into your PermitSF profile.
- Once logged in, go to your "Dashboard" on the left side of the screen.
- Under "Action Required," locate "Renew your Contractor Authorization" and select "Renew Now."
- Click through the pre-filled form, until you get to step 3 "Your contractor information." Search for your new business name or license number and make a new selection.
- At step 4 "Your SF business account lookup," search for your new business name or license number and make a new selection.
- Submit the form.