The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection has expanded its digital permit authorization system to cover a broader range of residential contractor applications. The change, effective early 2026, lets licensed contractors with an active DBI account receive digital authorization codes for qualifying projects without a counter visit.
What's Changing
Previously, most licensed contractor permit applications — even straightforward residential alterations — required an in-person visit to 49 South Van Ness, DBI's permit counter. Authorization codes were only issued over the counter after a clerk reviewed the application package.
Under the new system, contractors with a verified DBI login can submit application packages electronically. For projects that meet DBI's digital review criteria, an authorization code is issued within 3–5 business days, which the contractor uses to pay permit fees online and receive their permit card without a counter visit.
Which Projects Qualify
Digital authorization is currently available for:
- Residential alterations under $500,000 in valuation
- No change of occupancy
- No structural work requiring a special inspection agreement
- Single-family and 1–4 unit residential properties
Larger commercial projects, historic properties, and applications requiring discretionary Planning review still require in-person counter visits.
What This Means for Homeowners
The main practical effect for homeowners is shorter timelines at the start of a project. If your contractor uses the digital authorization path, expect 3–5 business days from application submission to permit in hand — compared to the unpredictable same-day counter waits that could extend to 2–4 hours during busy periods.
It also modestly reduces permit cost in cases where contractors previously billed their counter wait time as a project expense.
What Hasn't Changed
Plan review timelines, inspection requirements, and fee schedules are unchanged. The digital authorization covers the intake and issuance step only — it does not accelerate DBI's formal plan check review for projects that require it.
For projects requiring plan review, the digital portal allows electronic submission of drawings, but the 4–12 week standard review timeline still applies.
For details on DBI's digital permit system, visit sf.gov/dbi or call (628) 652-3400.
