TOPIC
In-house permits
The Department of Building Inspection (DBI) reviews every building permit application for life safety and building code compliance. We review complex projects In-House. DBI has transitioned to 100% Electronic Plan Review for In-House projects. For more information, please scroll down and click on the “Electronic plan review resources” link below.
In-house review project assignment
As of May 22, 2025, building plan review is currently assigning projects that arrived at the Building Station before April 15, 2025.
Once your project is assigned to a plan reviewer, you can expect the plan review to begin the following week.
Services
Learn about the process
Start your building permit application
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.
Apply for your Affordable Housing and Development Agreement online
You can now submit some building permit applications online.
Prepare for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) project
Decide if you want to add an ADU and prepare your application.
Permit processing
Resubmit plans for a building permit application
Follow our instructions to upload revisions to your building permit application.
Track your building permit application or property complaint
Find building permits for current and past construction projects in our permit tracking system.
Gather documents for your building permit issuance
Bring these documents to get your building permit issued.
Unissued Extension or Withdrawal Form
Request to extend or withdraw your unissued building permit application
Related permits
Resources
In-House Permit Process
In-House Review Forms and Applications Portal
This page features online portals and forms to apply for an In-House Review building permit.
Building project plans for Full Permits
Follow these rules to create plans for Full Permit Review. These directions are for Full Permits without a Site Permit.
How to create PDFs of your plans or addenda
Follow these rules to create PDFs of revised plans and addenda to submit.
Plan review process in Bluebeam
We have transitioned to 100% Electronic Plan Review for In-House projects.
Find out how the City uses Bluebeam to do plan reviews.
How to use Bluebeam
Find out how to use Bluebeam, our plan review software.
Convert your paper In-House Review building permit application to a digital format
Follow these instructions to convert your paper In-House Review building permit application to a digital format and resubmit it to complete the review process using electronic plan review (EPR).
Convert your Over-the-Counter building permit application to In-House Review
Follow these instructions to convert your paper Over-the-Counter form 8 building permit application to a digital In-House Review form 3.
Electronic plan review (EPR) resources
DBI has transitioned to 100% Electronic Plan Review. Click here for training materials and resource guides for building permit Electronic Plan Review.