Mayor Lurie has announced the Day 200 permit reforms led by PermitSF. We want to provide some additional details about how the changes are being implemented at the Department of Building Inspection (DBI).
New Solar Permit
Today, we’re introducing a new digital solar permit (“S Permit”) to make it easier for contractors to install solar systems in R3 occupancies (single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses). The new solar permit application will be submitted exclusively online through the registered electrical contractor portal and reviewed concurrently in Bluebeam by the relevant city departments.
Once the application is approved and the remaining fees are paid, contractors will receive their solar permit by email and can download their job card through the registered electrical contractor portal. They will also be able to track plan review and schedule inspections through the portal.
For more information, visit our solar permitting step-by-step webpage.
Permit Application Cancellation Project
Last week, we launched a project to cancel more than 11,000 abandoned over-the-counter (OTC) building permit applications that have already expired and can no longer be extended. By clearing these old applications from our system, we can focus on active projects, reduce delays, and deliver faster service to you.
This effort only applies to filed applications that have expired, not issued permits. Property owners with expired applications will receive a courtesy notice in the mail at least 60 days before cancellation.
Once an application has expired, it cannot be extended, updated, or issued—even if the only step left was fee payment. If you have an expired permit application that you still plan to move forward, you’ll need to submit a new building permit application. Learn more at sf.gov/otc.
This cleanup is part of our commitment to modernizing our systems and making it easier for you to get the permits you need.
If you receive a notice and have questions or need support, you can contact DBI Customer Service at dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org. We are here to help.
Three Round Recheck Escalation
Earlier this year, DBI began requiring that any plan review recheck exceeding three rounds of review comments be escalated to a supervisor to work with staff and the applicant to help address the comments. The goal is to quickly resolve the issues causing the multiple review rounds and get the permit application moving again.
This policy is being expanded citywide to all permitting departments and now includes both the initial completeness review and plan check.
Please let us know if you have feedback or questions about the escalation policy by emailing us at dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org.
Reference Drawings
In the past, DBI required permit applicants to submit reference drawings with their plans submittal so we can compare the existing, approved conditions to the proposed construction. Unfortunately, getting copies of those drawings can be difficult if the property has changed hands or if the architect is no longer in business.
Starting today, DBI will accept applications without reference drawings if we are able to locate the drawings in the City’s archives. Copyright law prevents us from providing the drawings to the applicant, but City staff can look at them on screen for plan review.
While it’s always better to provide a complete submittal, this change will allow us more flexibility to accept projects that were turned away in the past.
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