San Francisco's Department of Building Inspection and the Planning Department both updated their fee schedules for fiscal year 2025–26. For homeowners and contractors planning projects this year, the changes affect building permit fees, plan check fees, and Planning application fees.
DBI Building Permit Fee Changes
DBI's building permit fees are indexed to the city's annual cost-of-living adjustment and a periodic structural engineering review of inspection costs. For 2025–26:
- Base permit fees increased approximately 4.2% across all valuation tiers
- Minimum permit fee increased from $198 to $207 (a $9 change)
- Re-inspection fee increased from $198 to $207 per occurrence
- Expedited review surcharge remains at 150% of the standard permit fee
For a typical $50,000 residential alteration permit, the 4.2% increase translates to roughly $25–$45 in additional fees compared to fiscal year 2024–25.
Plan Check Fee Update
Plan check fees (charged separately from building permit fees for projects requiring plan review) remain at 65% of the base permit fee. This percentage has not changed.
DBI Inspection Fee Note
DBI bundles inspection fees into the building permit fee for residential projects — there is no separate per-inspection charge beyond the permit fee (except for re-inspections). This structure did not change in 2025–26.
San Francisco Planning Department Fee Changes
San Francisco Planning's fee schedule covers applications for Conditional Use authorizations, Variances, Planning Approvals, and related administrative review. Key changes for 2025–26:
- Residential Variance application: Increased from $9,200 to $9,800
- Conditional Use authorization (CU): Increased from $12,400 to $13,100 for standard residential projects
- Administrative ADU review: No change — remains $340 for ministerial ADU applications
- Pre-application conference fee: Increased from $760 to $800
For most residential projects that qualify for ministerial (non-discretionary) Planning approval — including most ADUs and straightforward alterations — Planning fees remain modest at $340–$800.
What This Means for Your Budget
If you're planning a project this fiscal year, budget for DBI fees roughly 4–5% higher than quotes you may have received in early 2024. The dollar impact is modest for most residential projects:
| Project Type | 2024–25 Est. | 2025–26 Est. | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen remodel (OTC) | ~$420 | ~$440 | +$20 |
| Room addition (plan review) | ~$2,100 | ~$2,190 | +$90 |
| ADU (new construction) | ~$5,400 | ~$5,630 | +$230 |
Fee estimates based on typical valuations; actual fees depend on project specifics.
Where to Find the Full Fee Schedule
The complete DBI fee schedule is published at sf.gov/dbi under the "Fees" section. San Francisco Planning's fee schedule is at sfplanning.org under "Applications and Fees."
Permit Compass fee estimates are updated to reflect the 2025–26 schedule.
