SF Permits MCP Server

{ "metadata": { "title": "Projects Eligible for Over-the-Counter (OTC) Permit", "source_url": "https://www.sf.gov/information--projects-eligible-over-counter-otc-permit", "source_type": "sf.gov official page", "date_scraped": "2026-02-13", "authority": "SF Department of Building Inspection", "notes": [ "Lists are described as 'include, but are not limited to' — edge cases exist", "The implicit operational criterion is the 'one-hour rule': if plan review at each station cannot be completed within approximately one hour, the project goes to in-house review", "Any OTC application can be reassigned to in-house review if it lacks required details or contains conflicting or incorrect information", "Some no-plan items (skylights, windows, siding) must now be filed online through PermitSF rather than in person" ] }, "routing_decision": { "question": "Can plan review at each station be completed within approximately one hour?", "yes": "OTC eligible", "no": "In-House Review required", "caveat": "This is an implicit operational criterion, not formally codified as a hard threshold in public documents" }, "otc_without_plans": { "description": "Simplest permits — no drawings required, issued same day", "form": "Form 3 or Form 8", "projects": [ { "id": "OTC-NP-01", "description": "Re-roofing", "online_only": false }, { "id": "OTC-NP-02", "description": "In-kind skylight replacement (same size and location)", "online_only": true, "online_note": "Must apply online through PermitSF" }, { "id": "OTC-NP-03", "description": "In-kind repair decks and/or stairs (less than 50%)", "online_only": false }, { "id": "OTC-NP-04", "description": "In-kind window replacement (same size and same location)", "online_only": true, "online_note": "Must apply online through PermitSF" }, { "id": "OTC-NP-05", "description": "In-kind exterior siding repair and/or replacement", "online_only": true, "online_note": "Must apply online through PermitSF" }, { "id": "OTC-NP-06", "description": "In-kind minor dry rot repair", "online_only": false }, { "id": "OTC-NP-07", "description": "In-kind kitchen remodel (no changes to the floor plan or walls)", "online_only": false }, { "id": "OTC-NP-08", "description": "In-kind bathroom remodel (no change to the floor plan or walls)", "online_only": false }, { "id": "OTC-NP-09", "description": "In-kind replacement of garage doors (same size and same location)", "online_only": false }, { "id": "OTC-NP-10", "description": "Exploratory work to determine depth of footing, stud size/spacing, floor/roof joist size and direction", "notes": "Holes to be filled with slurry, finishes replaced with same fire resistance rating", "online_only": false }, { "id": "OTC-NP-11", "description": "Replacement of wall finishes in R-3 occupancies complying with SFEBC Section 503.11.1", "online_only": false }, { "id": "OTC-NP-12", "description": "Bolting down existing foundation and/or adding plywood panels to crawl space/1st floor garage area", "notes": "NOT complying with DBI Information Sheet IS-09 (S-09)", "online_only": false } ] }, "otc_with_plans": { "description": "Plans required, reviewed at counter stations in approximately one hour per station", "form": "Form 3 or Form 8", "projects": [ { "id": "OTC-WP-01", "description": "Kitchen remodel (changing layout, floor plan or removing walls)" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-02", "description": "Bathroom remodel (changing layout, floor plan or removing walls)" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-03", "description": "Residential interior remodel (changing floor plans or removing walls)" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-04", "description": "Repairing decks and/or stairs (more than 50%)" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-05", "description": "New windows and/or exterior doors in new locations" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-06", "description": "New skylights in new locations" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-07", "description": "Decks less than 20 feet above grade that meet Planning Department setbacks" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-08", "description": "Sign permits" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-09", "description": "Single story non-structural commercial tenant improvement projects" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-10", "description": "Permits to comply with accessibility requirements" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-11", "description": "Installation of power door operators" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-12", "description": "Voluntary structural strengthening" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-13", "description": "Disability access barrier removal projects" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-14", "description": "Small to medium projects that do not require Planning Department neighborhood notification" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-15", "description": "Fences taller than 6 feet in side or rear yard and/or fences taller than 3 feet in front yard" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-16", "description": "Exterior facade work, visible from street, that involves changes in finishes", "examples": "stucco to siding, wood to vinyl" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-17", "description": "New mechanical equipment installed inside or outside the building" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-18", "description": "Storefront security gates", "notes": "Excluding some preservation districts" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-19", "description": "Residential security gates at entry doors and/or window security bars, grills, and/or grates" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-20", "description": "Replacement of wall finishes in occupancies other than R-3" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-21", "description": "New washer, dryer, and/or laundry sink hookups in new/existing areas within existing building" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-22", "description": "In-kind replacement of garage slab (no ceiling height changes)", "notes": "Saw-cutting SOG to repair/replace sewer lines does not require plans" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-23", "description": "Brace and bolt per DBI Information Sheet S-09" }, { "id": "OTC-WP-24", "description": "Removal of Underground Storage Tanks" } ] }, "not_otc_requires_inhouse": { "description": "These projects require In-House Review — cannot be processed over the counter", "form": "Form 1, Form 2, or as appropriate", "projects": [ { "id": "IH-01", "description": "Change of use tenant improvements involving Family Day Care, 'E' occupancies, and Laboratory uses" }, { "id": "IH-02", "description": "Serial permitting that continues to increase the scope of the initial remodel" }, { "id": "IH-03", "description": "Foundation replacements and/or seismic upgrades when there is a prior permit for further expansion under review" }, { "id": "IH-04", "description": "Projects in hillside or landslide areas requiring geotechnical report, third-party engineering review, or Structural Advisory Committee review", "includes": "earthquake-induced landslide zones, Northwest Mount Sutro, or Edgehill Mountain Slope Protection Areas" }, { "id": "IH-05", "description": "Excavation projects that expand the below-grade footprint" }, { "id": "IH-06", "description": "Extensive residential remodels that change gravity load-carrying members" }, { "id": "IH-07", "description": "Extensive residential remodels that require mandatory seismic upgrade on all levels" }, { "id": "IH-08", "description": "Special (non-conventional) foundation systems including tie backs, deep foundations, and/or complex shoring systems" }, { "id": "IH-09", "description": "Extensive commercial tenant improvements that change gravity load-carrying members" }, { "id": "IH-10", "description": "Tower Crane installation permits" }, { "id": "IH-11", "description": "Adding and/or removal of units" }, { "id": "IH-12", "description": "ADU or unit legalization" }, { "id": "IH-13", "description": "Advertising Billboard removal" }, { "id": "IH-14", "description": "Change of use from partial restaurant to full restaurant" }, { "id": "IH-15", "description": "Housing projects" }, { "id": "IH-16", "description": "MOU projects" }, { "id": "IH-17", "description": "Revision permit to remove sprinkler from Issued Building Permit" }, { "id": "IH-18", "description": "Revision to Site permit" }, { "id": "IH-19", "description": "Creation and/or legalization of one or more housing units" } ] }, "additional_inhouse_criteria": { "source": "PermitFlow and cross-references", "note": "These are commonly cited but not on the official sf.gov page — may be derived from practice rather than policy", "projects": [ "New construction", "Additions and expansions", "Exterior work on Historic Resource Buildings", "Roof deck construction", "Windscreens over 42 inches", "New stairs, decks, and firewalls exceeding 10 feet in height", "Change of occupancy", "Interior remodels involving demolition of more than 75% of interior walls" ] }, "otc_to_inhouse_conversion": { "url": "https://www.sf.gov/step-by-step--convert-your-over-counter-building-permit-application-house-review", "trigger": "If an application lacks required details or contains conflicting or incorrect information, it will be reassigned for in-house review", "note": "An OTC application can be required to convert to In-House Review at any time" }, "related_urls": { "otc_eligible_projects": "https://www.sf.gov/information--projects-eligible-over-counter-otc-permit", "otc_topic_hub": "https://www.sf.gov/topics--over-counter-otc-permits", "interior_residential_otc": "https://www.sf.gov/step-by-step--get-otc-permit-your-interior-residential-remodel", "exterior_residential_otc": "https://www.sf.gov/step-by-step--get-otc-permit-your-exterior-residential-project", "commercial_otc": "https://www.sf.gov/step-by-step--get-otc-permit-your-commercial-project", "otc_application_form": "https://www.sf.gov/fill-out-your-over-counter-building-permit-application-form", "otc_to_inhouse_conversion": "https://www.sf.gov/step-by-step--convert-your-over-counter-building-permit-application-house-review" } }