Overview
DBI administers building and trade permits in San Francisco. Planning and Fire review depend on the scope. DBI’s electrical service directs new category 1–5 applications, except solar, to PermitSF; its older service remains relevant for the specific solar and existing-record functions it lists.
Authority
DBI with Planning and Fire review as required
Trade fee schedule
Ordinance 112-26 · effective July 12, 2026
Trades
Select a trade for its permit path, licensing, code resources, fees and filing pitfalls.
Residential wiring and service equipment
San Francisco DBIApplicable Code
2025 San Francisco Electrical Code and applicable local amendments.
License Requirement
Use the appropriate CSLB electrical classification and DBI contractor registration; confirm owner eligibility rather than assuming access to contractor-only portals.
License Fee
CSLB and DBI registration resources
CEUs
State trade credential renewal; no local CEU number quoted
Permit Fee
July 12, 2026 Table 1A-E: residential category 1 up to 10 devices $305; 11–20 $450; up to 40 including a 200A upgrade $580. Scope and building-size categories matter.
Plan Review Time
DBI’s electrical service directs new categories 1–5 except solar to PermitSF; follow the separate solar route.
Common Pitfalls
- Appliances/utilization equipment also count as devices for fees.
- Separate permits may be needed for units, common areas, floors or tenant spaces.
Permit-to-closeout workflow
Define scope
Existing use, affected units and all building/trade work
Select application
DBI construction or trade route; separate units where required
Prepare plans
Include the disciplines and fire-review documents required
Clear review
Respond to DBI, Planning and Fire comments as applicable
Inspect work
Coordinate rough, system and final inspections
Settle and close
Pay remaining charges before final signoff or occupancy
Permit fees and worked estimates
The posted trade tables identify Ordinance 112-26, approved June 11, 2026 and effective July 12, 2026. The enacted ordinance was also retrieved. Scope categories, separate-unit rules and extra inspections affect the assessment.
| Trade | Permit fee | License fee |
|---|---|---|
| Residential wiring and service equipment | July 12, 2026 Table 1A-E: residential category 1 up to 10 devices $305; 11–20 $450; up to 40 including a 200A upgrade $580. Scope and building-size categories matter. | CSLB and DBI registration resources |
| Plumbing fixtures and residential installations | Table 1A-C effective July 12, 2026: category 1P single-unit listed work $290; up-to-six-unit installation $549 without underground or $809 with underground plumbing. | CSLB classification and City registration resources |
| Furnaces, heat pumps and building equipment | July 12, 2026 Table 1A-C: category 1M listed single-unit mechanical appliance $290; category 2M up to six units $420; office/retail category 5P/5M $709 per tenant or floor, whichever is less. | CSLB specialty classification schedule |
| Sprinklers, alarms and Fire review | July 12, 2026 Table 1A-C: sprinkler category 4PA one/two-family units $320; category 4PB larger residential/commercial $372 per floor. Separate alarm electrical/review charges can apply. | State classification plus applicable system credentials |
| Building permits and agency coordination | Building valuation/review charges are additional to the $595 limited plumbing/electrical illustration below; check Section 110A and agency assessments. | State licensing and City contractor registration resources |
Submission checklist
Homeowner and contractor route
Confirm the applicant and owner documentation required by DBI before filing. Do not assume a property owner can use a contractor-only online service. Building and trade approvals are distinct; the posted trade tables require separate permits for specified units, structures and tenant spaces.
Codes and amendments
The City’s hosted code library identifies the 2025 San Francisco Building Code and separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical and existing-building editions. Select each applicable discipline; a trade fee category does not determine the full design requirements.
Inspections and closeout
Arrange the inspections required by each permit and coordinate Fire acceptance where applicable. The trade tables require payment before relevant occupancy approval, job-card signature, permission to energize, gas tags or final signoff. A building final does not automatically close all trade records.