COVID-19 Updates from the Department of Building Inspection
DBI Services Available During Stay Home Order Period
Our office at DBI is open on a limited basis due to the Stay Home Order. We provide limited in-person permit and records production services daily, along with field inspection and complaint response services. We are available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5pm by phone and email.
We continue to receive a large volume of email inquiries and calls. Please bear with us as we may be delayed in processing your permit and responding to your email. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this public health crisis.
In-Person Services
The San Francisco Permit Center at 49 South Van Ness is open during the following hours:
- 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
- 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesday
The following Over-the-Counter (OTC) services will be available during Permit Center hours:
- OTC without Plans
- OTC with Plans – same day sign-up or appointment required
- OTC Plan Review
- Trades Permits (new!)
- SF Public Works Permits – Street Space & Sidewalk Repair (new!)
- SF Planning Consultations – Including Design Review (new!)
Permit Services
- In-person Over-the-Counter permit services
- In-house review permit applications
- Accessory Dwelling Unit applications online
- Virtual Pre-Application meetings
Inspection Services
Code Compliance and Complaints
- Code enforcement inspections for reported permit complaints and violations relating to building, plumbing, electrical and disability access issues
- Housing inspections for reported housing complaints and violations relating to habitability, life and safety
Records Requests
- Records reproduction services: View documents and plans by appointment only
- Requests for reproduction of public records and 3R reports
- Requests for duplication of plans (You can view plans by appointment-only on a limited weekly-basis.)
Online Services
We have a number of online services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
- Track and monitor permit and complaint building history through the Permit Tracking System (PTS)
- File electrical, plumbing, boiler-to-operate, reroofing permits instantly using an online contractors account
- File a complaint online for building, electrical, plumbing and housing issues
- Schedule inspections using an online contractors account
- Pay permits ready for issuance here
Virtual Public Meetings
We hold public meetings and hearings virtually. Some of the meetings we are hosting virtually include:
- Code Advisory Committee
- Director's Hearings - Plumbing, Building, Electrical, Disability Access and Housing
- Building Inspection Commission
- Access Appeals Commission
- Customer Update and Q&A
- Public Advisory Forum
For information on how to tune in and for meeting archives, please visit here for meetings and here for events.
Get the Latest News
Sign up for our online publication to receive updates on DBI’s services here
Contacting DBI
- For general questions, call DBI’s main line at (628) 652-3200 or email dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org.
- For technical code questions, please email TechQ@sfgov.org.
- For a specific DBI division or Program contact, review the Department’s Program Directory here.
Updated: June 30, 2021