PermitSF how-tos

To apply for permits online, create a free account. Your contact information will then autofill in any permits you apply for.

You will be able to pay for your permits online using a credit card, debit card, or bank account.

If you would like to pay in cash or by check, apply online first. Then you can pay the invoice using a payment kiosk at the Permit Center.

In PermitSF, there can only be one primary applicant for the permit application. Guests can be added to the application after it’s submitted.

Guests can pay for the permit and upload additional documents at any time. But only the primary applicant can make changes when staff requests a change in the permit application, including plans.

If you plan on having a contractor do the construction work, hire them before applying. We will ask for their information in the form.

Applicants who are employees of a contractor are considered "authorized agents" of the contractor. Only the license-holding owner of a contracting company is considered the "Licensed contractor" in the online form.

Customers applying for permits on behalf of a property owner or contractor will need to upload an image of the property owner or contractor’s drivers’ license, as well as authorization forms for either the property owner or contractor.

Licensed contractors can register staff in PermitSF so they no longer need to upload authorization forms or drivers' licenses.

Naming your files

When uploading any attachments, use only alphanumeric characters, hyphens, and underscores in file names. Using special characters may prevent your file from uploading properly.

Uploading photos taken from your phone

Any images uploaded to PermitSF must be a JPEG, JPG, or PNG.

When applying for permits on your phone, you can upload photos directly from your phone's photo gallery. PermitSF will automatically convert them to a JPEG.

If you're exporting a photo from a phone to your computer first, select the "Most Compatible" format under the export options on your phone. For iPhone users, follow exporting directions according to Apple. We are not able to open HEIC files from iPhones.

Once you have submitted an application on PermitSF, you cannot make changes to it without asking staff. Staff can also proactively request a change.

We will send you an email when a field has been opened for editing. Use the Update Application button in the email to go to your application in PermitSF.

If you need to update attachments, delete the existing attachment first, then upload the new one.

You can refer to screenshots of the revision process.

If your project includes plans, the permitting process will include plan review in PermitSF. Upload your plans as PDFs in the Attachments section of your application.

Once all the required reviewers have checked your plans, you will get an email notifying you if they are approved or if corrections are needed. You will be able to find any markups or correction notes in the Attachments section of your application.

Upload revisions

If corrections are needed, only the primary applicant can upload revised plans, using the Update Application button in the alert on top of the Attachments section. Revisions will not work if uploaded as a new attachment.

Delete the existing plan first, then upload the new one. Refer to screenshots for instructions about uploading revised plans.

Once new plans are uploaded, another round of reviews will start.