@sfdbi.bsky.social
The official Bluesky page for the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection.
A person holding a cell phone with the San Francisco Public Works Permit Portal pulled up.
📣 It's here! Say goodbye to paper, hello to the new Public Works Permits Portal!
We're excited to announce the launch of the Public Works Permits Portal – your new digital gateway to faster, simpler permitting.
👉 sfpublicworks.org/permitsportal
We’ve made the over-the-counter permit process faster and easier.
Check in at the front desk and you’ll be sent to a permit technician to start your application. We'll provide a permit number, explain next steps and flag any violations.
Learn more: sf.gov/eliminating-step-otcpermit.
Good news!
Projects on flat or gently sloped properties will no longer be automatically sent for licensed engineer review. DBI will now only require review when the project design or site conditions show a need for geotechnical or structural evaluation.
Learn more: tinyurl.com/hillside-review
Join us tomorrow evening!
DBI’s Richard S., architect and Senior Building Inspector, will be part of the American Institute of Architects panel discussion on how everyday architecture influences San Francisco at 5:30-7:30pm on November 19 at 140 Sutter Street.
Register now: tinyurl.com/4vkaerhp
We value every opportunity to meet with you and answer your questions.
Plan Review Manager Jimmy C. and Building Inspector Jeffrey B. joined neighbors at the Pacific Heights Residents Association meeting this week where they answered questions about permit timelines and updates.
High winds up to 35mph are expected at 10pm tonight through 10am tomorrow. Gusts may reach 60mph.
Prepare now:
- Close and latch windows.
- Secure outdoor items.
- Report window damage to management.
For building concerns, call 311 for DBI to inspect. Stay safe. #DBIStormAlert
Join your neighbors at the Pacific Heights Residents Association Annual Meeting, where DBI Plan Review Manager Jimmy C. and Building Inspector Jeff B. will take part in a discussion with City and State officials about SF projects and priorities.
Register: phra-sf.org/2025-annual-meeting
DBI’s Richard S., an architect & Senior Building Inspector, will join an upcoming AIASF panel. Hear how everyday architecture, from schools to neighborhood spaces, shapes the city we share.
Join us at 5:30-7:30pm on Tuesday, November 19 at 140 Sutter Street!
Register: tinyurl.com/4vkaerhp
Strong winds up to 45mph are expected starting at 10pm tonight through 4pm tomorrow.
Prepare now:
✔️Close and latch windows.
✔️Secure outdoor items.
✔️Report window damage to management.
For building concerns, call 311 for DBI to inspect. Stay safe. #DBIStormAlert
San Francisco is advancing toward a cleaner, all-electric future. A new City law requires many buildings undergoing major renovations to convert from gas to electric systems beginning July 1, 2026.
Learn more about the City’s all-electric building requirements: sf.gov/dbi-allelectric
Our Permit Tracking System makes it easy to stay on top of your project from start to finish.
View the latest updates on your San Francisco building, electrical and plumbing permit applications in real time, all in one place: dbiweb02.sfgov.org/dbipts.
DBI participated in this month's Fleet Week and @sf-emergency.sf.gov emergency response exercise and coordinated with City partners to strengthen our disaster response.
Exercises like this helps us stay ready to serve our city when it matters most. #RebuildingDBI
Yesterday DEM held its largest emergency preparedness exercise of the year, based on a simulated earthquake. The drill tested logistics, interoperable/backup communications, and cross-sector coordination across four sites, with local and private participation despite the federal shutdown.
09.10.2025 01:45 — 👍 4 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0Another question from the SF Association of Realtors webinar: How can you legalize a low-ceiling attic?
Answer: Hire a design professional to create plans, apply for permits & make upgrades to meet height & safety standards. If it falls short of the requirements, it can only be used for storage.
One of the top @SFAR webinar questions: Can realtors view a property’s permit history online?
Yes! For homes or mixed-use buildings, request a Report of Residential Building Record at sf.gov/request3r.
For commercial buildings, submit a records request at sanfrancisco.nextrequest.com.
Recently, DBI’s Senior Building Inspector Fergal C. & Plan Check Manager Jimmy C., with Planning’s Deputy Zoning Administrator Natalia F., joined the @SFARMLS webinar to answer questions about legalizing unpermitted spaces & ADUs.
Watch a recording of the webinar: youtube.com/watch?v=Ce7Is8iZ8IY
Thinking about adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit to your property?
We’ve updated our webpages with a step-by-step guide, property eligibility details, and information about our Permit Review Roundtable to help you plan and permit your project.
Learn more: sf.gov/topics--accessory-dwelling-unit-adu
We are pleased to announce a new funding opportunity to support the build-out or code compliance of long-standing vacant commercial spaces. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. sf.gov/information-...
07.10.2025 18:41 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0The City has launched a faster and easier way to add, change or retire an SF building address! All you need to do is submit an Address Request Form with your permit application, or on its own if no construction is planned.
Learn more: sf.gov/building-address
Great news! The City is expanding a faster review process across all permitting departments.
If your initial completeness review, plan check or plan review recheck hits a 4th round of comments, a supervisor will step in to keep your project on track.
Questions? Email dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org.
Couldn’t make it to Wednesday’s PermitSF Customer Forum?
Catch the full recording on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=EY2TeCGgt5U
Update: The power has returned, the Permit Center is open and services have resumed. Thank you.
25.09.2025 16:51 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0The Permit Center & City offices at 49 South Van Ness are temporarily w/o power; services are unavailable. Today's Director's Hearings are cancelled & inspections continue as scheduled.
PG&E stated the power should return before noon today. We will reopen & resume services at that time.
Thank you.
Good news for San Franciscans going solar!
We launched a digital solar permit for single family homes, duplexes, and townhomes. Now licensed contractors can apply for a permit and schedule an inspection online.
Learn more: sf.gov/step-by-step--get-permit-solar-photovoltaic-system
Join us on Wednesday, September 24 at 3:30-5pm for our next PermitSF Customer Forum!
We'll share updates on permit application cancellations, new solar permits, addressing, PermitSF Planning Code changes, and more.
Register now to attend the forum: sf.gov/permitsfforum.
Working on a project? We’ve got you covered!
The Permit Center & our service counters are open:
- Mondays at 9am-5pm
- Tuesdays-Fridays at 8am-5pm
Plan Review and Print Center queues close at 4:30pm to allow time for project review.
Last weekend, DBI attended the 2025 Chinese Real Estate Expo to connect with homeowners, contractors, and real estate pros and answer questions about permits.
Missed us? If you have a question about permits or building codes, contact us at TechQ@sfgov.org. We're here to help.
Do you dream of opening a business in San Francisco?
See how one small business owner partnered with DBI to bring her vision to life in this new @sfgovtv.sf.gov video: youtube.com/watch?v=-SczoRVU74E.
We’re here to help you build and move your project forward.
Join us today at 3:30-5pm for our next PermitSF Customer Forum! We'll share updates on enhanced permit routing, key legislative reforms, what's next for PermitSF, and more. Register now: bit.ly/permitsfforum
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