Request public building records

You can get permit records or start the process to get building plans.

What to do

1. Check what records you can request

We have the following record types available:

  • Building permits issued from 1906 to now
  • Building permit job cards issued from 1933 to now
  • Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy (CFC) issued from 1945 to now
  • Electrical permits issued from 1986 to now
  • Plumbing permits issued from 1976 to now
  • Mechanical permits issued from 2008 to now
  • Plans to view, for wood-framed buildings from 1960 to now (you must apply in-person to view plans and apply separately to get copies of official building plans)
  • Plans to view, for certain high-rise buildings from 1920 to now (you must apply in-person to view plans and apply separately to get copies of official building plans)

2. Send in the request

You can submit six requests per person, per company, per day. 

In-Person

In-Person

Fill out an electronic application in our office

Department of Building Inspection

Records Management Division
49 South Van Ness
Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94103

Mon to Tue, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm

Wed, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

Thu to Fri, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm

View location on google maps

Sign into the building before 3:30 pm so we can see you at the counter the same day. 

Mail

Mail

Download and fill out the form

We will ask you:

  • Occupancy type of the building
  • If it’s a corner building
  • Types of records you want
  • If you want records from a certain date range

Mail the completed form

Department of Building Inspection

Records Management Division
49 South Van Ness
Suite 400
San Francisco, CA 94103

Sign into the building before 3:30 pm so we can see you at the counter the same day. 

We will contact you to confirm the records you want to request.

If you want to get the records through the mail, we’ll send hard copies via Certified Mail with a fee.

Picking up your requested records

We will let you know via email when you can pick up the records. It may take up to 15 days, depending on the amount of research required. 

We will let you know of any fees that are due, and ask how you want to pick up the records.

Special cases

Building plans

Building plans

State law allows you to view building plans in our offices. To provide you with copies of building plans, we first need approval from the following:

  • Current property owner
  • All design professionals listed on the plans

Apply to get copies of official building plans.

Note that you need more documents to view building plans for banks and government-owned buildings.

Get help

Phone

Records Management Division

Last updated November 21, 2023