GetYourPermit

ADU permit process in San Francisco, California

Last verified August 29, 2026

Prepared by GetYourPermit editorial teamReport an error

This guide includes the portions of the City permit process that passed our evidence review. Confirm project-specific requirements with the City before submitting.

Where to apply

Department
Department of Building Inspection
Permit portal
City Online Portal System

Step by step

  1. 1

    Determine applicable ADU program and project conditions

    Choose program/type based on property and ADU conditions Contact Planning if program is uncertain Applicable Local, State or Hybrid ADU program path

  2. 2

    Prepare and submit ADU application materials

    Use applicable City checklist Provide Local Program notices/declaration when required ADU permit application

  3. 3

    Planning and City agencies review ADU application

    Respond to applicable City review requirements Planning/agency review result

  4. 4

    Satisfy applicable issuance conditions

    Execute project-specific Regulatory Agreement when required Permit issuance conditions met

  5. 5

    Schedule required City inspections

    Schedule and pay for inspections Inspection result

What you need to submit

  • Notice of Addition of ADU(s) and Declaration to San Francisco Rent Board — only in some cases
  • Applicable City ADU checklist
  • Costa-Hawkins Regulatory Agreement — only in some cases

Pre-approved ADU plans

Use San Francisco’s official page to confirm which designs, site conditions, and supplemental documents qualify. Plan-check timing still depends on the project and city review.

View pre-approved plans

Project-specific next step

Build your San Francisco permit report

Choose your ADU type and size to bring the City process, researched permit fees, and early construction budget into one planning report.

Start my permit report

Sources for this guide

Additional city reference pages

  • CityFees for the Department of Building Inspection

    The official DBI landing page identifies the 2026 building-permit tables, their July 12, 2026 publication date, and the current City-linked construction valuation schedule.

    Accessed August 28, 2026

  • CityTable 1A-A: Building Permit Fees

    Table 1A-A states that a Building Permit Fee is the Plan Review Fee plus Permit Issuance Fee and publishes separate formulas for each total-valuation band.

    Accessed August 28, 2026

  • CityTable 1A-B: Other Building Permit and Plan Review Fees

    Table 1A-B publishes the hourly plan-review and back-check rate and minimum billing units when Table 1A-A does not cover the work.

    Accessed August 28, 2026

  • City2022 DBI Cost Schedule

    The City-linked cost schedule requires valuation for permit purposes to be derived from its occupancy/work tables and says permit and plan-review fees are based on the application-date valuation, adjusted for revisions.

    Accessed August 28, 2026