<p data-block-key="14mnx">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>

About Department of Building Inspection

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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 of the Department of Building Inspection issues building, electrical, plumbing/mechanical, and other construction-related permits to ensure that proposed construction meets all safety requirements.

Permit Services at DBI

Inspection Services at the Department of Building Inspection inspects buildings and construction for compliance with code requirements, permit scope, and responds to building complaints.

Inspection Services at DBI

Code Enforcement at the Department of Building Inspection investigates complaints of building and housing code violations and compels building owners to fix the violations.

Code Enforcement at DBI

Records Management at the Department of Building Inspection stores, maintains, and makes available records of buildings, including plans, permit applications, and job cards.

Records Management at DBI

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sf skyline

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

Addenda details

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.

We manage the Department of Building Inspection and oversee enforcement of the city's building codes.

Building Inspection Commission

The Client Services Subcommittee focuses on improving the quality, consistency, and predictability of Department of Building Inspection (DBI) services in three key areas: 1. Plan Check and Permitting 2. Inspections 3. Automation/Technology.

Serving the community of San Francisco, building occupants, individual applicants, and the development community, the goal of the subcommittee is to streamline and reduce the approvals process and provide consistent and transparent services to DBI’s clients.

Client Services Subcommittee

As a policy-making and supervisory body mandated by the City Charter, the seven-member citizen Building Inspection Commission will manage the Department of Building Inspection and the bodies subordinate to the Commission by overseeing the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of the City and County’s Building, Housing, Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical Codes, along with Disability Access Regulations.

Litigation Committee

The Nominations Subcommittee fills vacancies at committees of the Department of Building Inspection.

Nominations Subcommittee

We hear appeals against Orders of Abatement for not fixing building code violations.

Abatement Appeals Board

The Code Advisory Committee makes recommendations about building codes to the Building Inspection Commission.

Code Advisory Committee

We conduct hearings on DBI's interpretations of disability access regulations and enforcement.

Access Appeals Commission

A hearing where property owners can object to or explain progress towards addressing building code violations.

Director's Hearing

A group of experts that determines if new construction methods or materials comply with safety standards.

Board of Examiners

A quarterly meeting where our customers can make recommendations to improve permitting processes.

Public Advisory Forum

Convened to make recommendations to the Director of Building Inspection on certain proposed projects.

Structural Advisory Committee

Structural Subcommittee

Mechanical Electrical Plumbing Subcommittee

We determine if updates to the Green Building Code should be presented to the wider Code Advisory Committee.

Green Building Subcommittee

Housing Code Subcommittee

Administrative & General Design and Disability Access Subcommittee

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

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

2022 SF and CA Codes are effective for permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2023.

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 permits, inspections, and penalties for DBI.

Fees for the Department of Building Inspection

The city charges impact fees on new development projects to provide public services to the new building.

Development Impact Fees

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

BuildingEye

Construction hours, noise, street parking, and other info.

What to expect during construction in your neighborhood

Reference

Find building permits for current and past construction projects in our permit tracking system.

Track your building permit application or property complaint

Schedule and pay for building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical inspections.

Schedule and pay for your inspection

File a complaint about construction, electrical, plumbing, living conditions, or disability access.

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

Services

Resources

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