Limited Over-the-Counter Permit Services
On Saturday, October 3, DBI, along with its partnering agencies the Fire Department and San Francisco Planning, will host a Permit Day event for Over-the-Counter permit applications from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 49 South Van Ness. This Saturday event will provide an opportunity for customers to obtain Over-the-Counter no plans permits; drop off permit applications that require Fire Department review only; and drop off Over-the-Counter with plans permits. We are offering 24 appointments for customers to drop off Over-the-Counter with plans permit applications from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Customers can request an appointment by signing up through Eventbrite, and appointments will be offered through a lottery process. The Eventbrite sign up page link will be available on DBI's Permit Day web page on Friday, September 25. Signing up through the Eventbrite page does not guarantee a ticket to attend this event. Customers chosen through the lottery process will receive a direct email from DBI informing them of their opportunity to participate on October 3, 2020. Visit www.sfdbi.org/permitday for more information.
We implemented changes to the permit issuance process. For more information, visit www.sfdbi.org/permitsubmissions.
You can make an appointment to submit a new permit application for an Over-the-Counter with plans permit in paper. If you already submitted an Over-the-Counter with plans permit application online, you should make an appointment to submit your permit application in paper. Appointments are scheduled in 15-minute increments from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Customers are limited to one appointment per day, and we accept a maximum of two permits for each appointment scheduled. For more information, please visit www.sfdbi.org/otcappointments.
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Limited in-person Over-the-Counter permit services are provided at 49 South Van Ness Avenue (49 SVN) from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday by appointment or pre-registration only. Customers will enter the 49 South Van Ness building from Van Ness Avenue.
The following services are available daily:
- 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday to Friday: Over-the-Counter without plans and Fire Department review only permit applications (you must pre-register via Eventbrite)
- NEW 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday to Thursday: Fire-Only Permits
- 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday: Over-the-Counter with plans permit applications by appointment and permit pick-up and drop-off
Over-the-Counter (OTC) with and without plans permit applications
Over-the-Counter with and without plans permit applications will be accepted during limited in-person service. For more information about Over-the-Counter permits, visit www.sfdbi.org/otcpermits.
Please note that projects associated with City Landmarks or properties that have Block Book Notification requests may not be eligible for OTC service.
7:30 to 9:30 a.m. from Monday to Friday - Over-the-Counter without plans and fire-only permit applications
Customers can apply for Over-the-Counter permits without plans by pre-registering via Eventbrite to drop in within this two-hour window. Please register for only one ticket per day. Each customer can submit a maximum of 2 permits.
Please remember to bring completed forms and/or supporting documents with you. A DBI Fire Department plan checker will review your application to ensure it is eligible for permit submittal and processing. You will enter the ground floor to complete the permit issuance process and then proceed to the second floor to complete the payment process.
For more information on Over-the-Counter and fire-only permits, visit www.sfdbi.org/otcpermits.
Trades permits and street space permits are not accepted during the limited service.
Trades permits can be filed online or with DBI staff by licensed contractors for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical or boiler-to-operate permits. Visit here for more information on how to file your trades permit. The Department of Public Works is processing all Street Space permits online. You can file your Street Space permit here.
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday to Thursday: Fire-Only Permits
We are offering a separate Eventbrite and drop-off time for customers to bring in permit applications that require only Fire Department review. Click here for examples of fire-only scopes of work. Customers need to register via Eventbrite to drop off fire-only permit applications from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, starting Monday, September 28. Please register for only one ticket per day. Each customer can submit a maximum of 2 permits for Fire-only permit per day.
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Over-the-Counter with plans by appointment
If you have a new permit application for an Over-the-Counter with plans permit, you can schedule an appointment to submit your permit application in paper HERE. Customers are limited to one appointment per day, and we accept a maximum of two permits for each appointment scheduled.
If you already submitted an Over-the-Counter with plans permit application online, you should make an appointment to submit your permit application in paper. Appointments to drop off OTC with plans permit applications in paper are scheduled Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please remember to bring completed forms and/or supporting documents with you.
Upon arriving at 49SVN, you will enter the ground floor to have a DBI plan checker confirm that your filing qualifies as OTC with plans. You will drop off the plans for review and once the review is completed, you will be contacted with payment information so you can pay for your permit prior to picking it up.
Permit pick-up and issuance services available throughout the day from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
You can pick up your permit during this window after we’ve contacted you that your permit is ready for pick-up. For more information, visit www.sfdbi.org/permitpickup.
To complete the permit issuance process, payment is required prior to picking up your permit. You will receive an email invoice with information on how to pay online from DBI. For more information, visit www.sfdbi.org/payment.
Revision Drop-Off for Hardcopy Building Permits Requested by Planning Department
If you have an existing Building Permit Application that was originally submitted in hardcopy, you may submit revised plans directly to the Planning Department without an appointment. Customers should come to the 49 South Van Ness main entrance on Van Ness to drop-off the plans in the boxes labeled “CPC Revision/Drop-Off” between 7:30 am and 3:30 pm. Instructions for dropping off your revised plans:
• Provide two sets of revised plans
• Write the Building Permit Application Number along the side edge of each set of plans
• Date the plans with the resubmittal date
Revised plans will be routed to the Planning Department within two days of drop-off, and your assigned Planner will review the plans within approximately one week of the plans being routed to Planning. If you choose to proceed with Planning Department review of your revisions in hardcopy, you will be removed from the electronic plan review queue.
Completing the Necessary Forms
You will need to complete permit application Form 3/8 to file an OTC permit. Select and print the Building Form 3/8 using legal 8.5 X 14" paper size and print application on both sides. Visit here for a list of the forms required by DBI and other permitting departments.
- Permit Application Form 3/8
- Permit Application Form 4/7
- Permit Applicant Disclosure Form
- Contractor’s Statement Form
- Authorization Agent of Contractor (if personal permit being issued to is not the contractor)
- Property Owners Package
What to expect when you are on site:
- You will be required to wear a face covering and stay 6 feet apart from others at all times.
- You should have completed permit application forms (found here) and supporting documents with you for submission. We want to issue your permit as soon as we can, so please make sure your submissions are complete. Incomplete submissions will result in delays and may require you to come back.
- Provide your contact information to DBI so we can contact you.