Permit process to legalize existing security gates

You will need property and construction details to fill out the building permit application, including a scope of work noting gate location and any Building or Planning Code violations. Be sure to complete the entire form.

You will also need to know the building’s occupancy class and estimate the cost of the gate and installation. DBI staff can help you determine an estimate if you are unsure of the original cost.

Plans, photos and structural calculations are not required to obtain a building permit for an existing security gate installed prior to August 20, 2023.

If you are applying for a building permit to abate a notice of violation (NOV), include the violation number and a description so DBI can remove the NOV when the gate has been inspected and approved.

Gates with electrical components require both a building permit and electrical permit. Additional information and an application worksheet is available here.

Fill out your form 3/8 alteration building permit application

In lieu of professional plans, specification sheets and design drawings, the City is now accepting an affidavit from the property owner, authorized representative or licensed contractor certifying that the existing security gate complies with the requirements of the California Building Code (CBC). All of the affidavit fields must be completed.

The affidavit requires the following information:

• Building address and parcel number (block/lot)
• Occupancy class – All building occupancy classes are listed here.
  • The Fire Code prohibits buildings with an Assembly Occupancy (A) from having security gates at ingress or egress doors.
• Confirmation that:
  • Security gate will remain secured in the fully open position when the building is open to the public.
  • Buildings with more than two entrances/exits have gates installed on no more than half of them.
  • The gate’s attachment to the building structure is sufficient to resist vertical, live and lateral loads.
  • Security gates installed on main entrances / exits must be openable from the inside without a key, tool, special knowledge or additional force beyond what is required to open a normal door.
  • The minimum opening width on gated entrances/exits is the same
  • Entrances / exits with security gates maintain the original minimum opening width when the gates are open.

Submit the affidavit with your building permit application. You need to provide an affidavit for each building property address where you are legalizing an existing storefront security gate.

Fill out your Affidavit – Self-Certification for Security Gate Installation For Compliance with the California Building Code

You can submit your authorization form, building permit application, code compliance self-certification affidavit in-person or online. All three of these documents must be completed and included in your submission.

You will be provided a building permit application number which you will use to schedule your inspection after the permit is issued.

To apply in-person, come to the Permit Center at 49 South Van Ness, 2nd Floor. Check-in at the Help Desk, inform them you want to legalize an unpermitted security gate and request to see a Central Permit Bureau (CPB) supervisor. The supervisor will process your application and issue your permit once your administrative and permit fees are paid. You can apply for up to two building permits per visit and will be issued a printed building permit and job card for each application.

To apply online, email your documents to dbi.cpbrequest@sfgov.org with a subject line: Existing Security Gate Legalization. There is no limit to the number of applications submitted online but each application must contain all three of the required documents – property owner/contractor disclosure, building permit application and self-certification of code compliance affidavit. Building permits applied for and approved online will be emailed a digital building permit and job card.

You will need to pay administrative and permit fees before your permit is issued. Anyone can pay for the permit but the permit can only be issued to the property owner, California-licensed contractor or their representatives.

As the City is not conducting plan review, you will not be charged any fees for that service. All Planning Department fees are being waived for existing, unpermitted storefront gates legalized through this process.