<p data-block-key="c2o94">Under the direction and management of the seven-member citizen Building Inspection Commission, to oversee the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of the City and County of San Francisco's Building, Housing, Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical Codes, along with the Disability Access Regulations.</p>

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DBI Customer Service

Permit Processing Support

Electronic Permit Processing Support

Media Enquiries

DBI approves plans and issues permits for all construction in the City. We make sure buildings are safe and comply with building and housing codes.

Permit Services at DBI

Inspection Services at DBI

Code Enforcement at DBI

Records Management at DBI

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Access Appeals Commission (AAC) meeting

Director's Hearing

TEMPLATE: Code Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting

TEMPLATE: Structural Subcommittee (CAC) meeting

TEMPLATE: Housing Code Subcommittee (CAC) meeting

TEMPLATE: Building Inspection Commission (BIC) meeting

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See upcoming scheduled and cancelled commission meetings.

Department of Building Inspection Meeting Updates

New guidelines clarify code requirements and identify alternative methods of compliance and exceptions for commercial to residential adaptive reuse projects

Department of Building Inspection Unveils New Building Code Guidelines to Reduce Barriers for Office to Residential Conversions Downtown

DBI Update – New ADU Permit Review Roundtable

Department of Building Inspection Customer Communication

The proposed Building Code legislation will codify and expand on the City’s current process that has helped small businesses save thousands of dollars and months in the permitting process since 2022

Mayor Breed Introduces Legislation to Remove Costly Permitting Requirement for Businesses

DBI Update – 7/24 Public Advisory Forum

DBI Update – Permit payment and issuance clarification

DBI Update – Permit payment improvement and PUC programs plan review

DBI Update – New Unissued Permit Extension and Withdrawal Request Form and Process

The report published today summarizes a year-long stakeholder engagement process that identified technical, economic, and social considerations of a seismic retrofit program for concrete buildings in San Francisco.

San Francisco releases recommendations for the Concrete Building Safety Program

DBI Update – 4/24 DBI Public Advisory Forum

DBI Update – Improved Process for Historical Building Code Requests and 3/6 Awning Amnesty Program Workshop

DBI Update – Changes to the In-House Digital Form

DBI Update – 2023 - a year of progress and results

DBI Public Advisory Forum - Wednesday, January 24

DBI Update – New Webpages to Support January 1 Transition to 100% Electronic Plan Review for In-House Review Projects

DBI Update – Storm Alert, Customer Survey, 1/1/24 Electronic Plan Review Transition, DBI Holiday Closures

DBI Update – REMINDER Customer Survey, Electronic Plan Review Online Info Session 4pm TOMORROW

DBI Update – Customer Survey, Electronic Plan Review Online Info Session 3pm TODAY

DBI Update – New Online Records Request Form, Electronic Plan Review Online Info Sessions

DBI Update – APEC Conference Planning, 1/1/24 Transition to Electronic Plan Review and more

DBI Update – DBI Emergency Training Tomorrow Morning and more

DBI Update – New SF Public Works Design Review Standards, DBI Online Trade Permits Reminder

DBI Public Advisory Forum - Wednesday, September 27

DBI Update – Improved Permit Status Info in Online PTS

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DBI Update – DBI now conducting disabled access plan review & City Planning open  houses

DBI Update – Continuous Tie Down System Submittals & Building Safety Month

DBI Update – New In-house Review Recheck Process, Site Permit Reform Update & Electronic Plan Review

Mayor Breed 2023 Building Safety Month Proclamation

Department of Building Inspection News Release

DBI Update – New pilot program for instant, online electrical solar permits

DBI Public Advisory Forum - Wednesday, January 25

DBI Update - Thank you, Small Biz Ambassadors & New Cost Schedule

DBI Update - New Commissioner and End-of-Year Rush

Last week, DBI’s Small Biz Ambassadors helped resolve the final items before the opening of The Laundromat, the Outer Richmond’s newest bagels, pizza and beer restaurant! Thank you Inspector Enrique and congratulations to owners Jaimi, Adam, Kevin and Jenna! #SFDBI #TheLaundromat

Small Business Ambassador

Beat the end-of-the-year permit application rush

Starting July 1, the Department of Building Inspection will sort in-house review permit applications by expected review times and offer small to medium-sized projects a more efficient review process.

Building Inspection Commission

Client Services Subcommittee

Litigation Committee

Nominations Subcommittee

Abatement Appeals Board

Code Advisory Committee

Access Appeals Commission

Board of Examiners

Public Advisory Forum

Structural Advisory Committee

Structural Subcommittee

Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Subcommittee

Green Building Subcommittee

Housing Code Subcommittee

Administrative & General Design and Disability Access Subcommittee

<p data-block-key="5u5lf"><a href="https://sf.gov/sites/default/files/2022-11/DBI%20Phone%20Directory.pdf">DBI Staff Directory</a></p>

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We inspect buildings for compliance with code requirements and permit scope, and respond to building complaints.

Inspection Services

We investigate complaints of building code violations and compel building owners to fix the violations.

Code enforcement

We maintain and provide copies of records of buildings, including plans, permit applications, and job cards.

Records management

Current San Francisco building codes

Administrative Bulletins document procedures followed by DBI staff.

Administrative Bulletins in the SF Building Code

Information sheets for DBI

Codes and published guidance

Fees for the Department of Building Inspection

Development Impact Fees

See a map of DBI, Planning, and Fire permit activity.

BuildingEye

What to expect during construction in your neighborhood

Reference

Track your building permit application or property complaint

Contractors: Schedule inspections online for your permitted work

Report a building problem

We issue permits to ensure that proposed construction meets all safety requirements.

View of the middle of a street with tall buildings on both sides. The Bay Bridge can be seen between buildings.

San Francisco street during the day

Building permit services

Department of Building Inspection

Building permits

Add accessory dwelling units (ADUs), in-law units, or cottages to residential properties.

Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)

The Department of Building Inspection reviews every building permit application for life safety and building code compliance. We provide over-the-counter review for simple permit applications. Drop-in at the Permit Center to submit your application.

Over-the-counter (OTC) 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.

Department of Building Inspection

Department of Building Inspection

Building permit services

Calendar

UPCOMING CALENDAR

PAST CALENDAR

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