SF Permits MCP Server

{ "metadata": { "title": "School Impact Fees — SFUSD Developer Impact Fee Schedule", "source": "California Government Code Section 65995, SFUSD Board Resolution, SF DBI Info Sheet G-11", "date_structured": "2026-02-26", "authority": "San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) / SF Department of Building Inspection", "gap_resolved": "GAP-11", "notes": [ "School impact fees are assessed by DBI at permit issuance based on building permit application data", "Fee rates are set by SFUSD and updated periodically per state CPI adjustments", "Fees are paid to the State Allocation Board (SAB) fund, not directly to SFUSD", "These fees apply citywide — no neighborhood-specific variations", "DBI collects the fees on behalf of SFUSD as part of the permit issuance process" ] }, "fee_schedule": { "effective_date": "2024-01-01", "authority": "SFUSD Board Resolution, per Government Code Section 65995(b)(3)", "rates": { "residential": { "rate_per_sqft": 4.79, "unit": "dollars per square foot of assessable space", "applies_to": "New residential construction, additions creating new living space", "maximum_per_state_law": "State cap per Gov Code 65995(b)(3) — adjusted biennially" }, "commercial_industrial": { "rate_per_sqft": 0.78, "unit": "dollars per square foot of chargeable covered and enclosed space", "applies_to": "New commercial, retail, office, and industrial construction", "maximum_per_state_law": "State cap per Gov Code 65995(b)(3) — adjusted biennially" } }, "assessable_area": { "definition": "All covered and enclosed space measured from exterior wall faces, excluding parking structures used exclusively for parking", "includes": [ "Living areas", "Bedrooms", "Kitchens and bathrooms", "Hallways and corridors within the unit", "Storage rooms", "Garages converted to living space" ], "excludes": [ "Parking garages (if used exclusively for vehicle parking)", "Uncovered outdoor areas", "Unenclosed porches and balconies" ] } }, "exemptions": { "full_exemptions": [ { "type": "Replacement of destroyed structure", "condition": "Structure destroyed by fire, flood, earthquake, or other disaster within prior 5 years", "code_reference": "Gov Code 65995(a)", "notes": "Replacement must not exceed original square footage" }, { "type": "Affordable housing", "condition": "100% affordable housing projects with deed restriction", "code_reference": "Gov Code 65995.5(a)", "notes": "Must have recorded affordability covenant; mixed-income projects: only affordable units exempt" }, { "type": "Senior housing", "condition": "Housing exclusively for seniors (62+) with recorded age restriction", "code_reference": "Gov Code 65995.5(b)" }, { "type": "Government buildings", "condition": "Federal, state, or local government-owned facilities", "code_reference": "Gov Code 65995(a)" }, { "type": "Churches and religious facilities", "condition": "Places of worship and their accessory structures", "code_reference": "Gov Code 65995(a)" } ], "partial_exemptions": [ { "type": "Reconstruction / remodel", "condition": "Work that does not create net new assessable square footage", "notes": "Interior remodels that don't add area are exempt. Additions are assessed only on the new area." }, { "type": "ADU / JADU", "condition": "Accessory dwelling units may qualify for reduced or waived fees per AB 2011 / SB 13", "notes": "ADUs under 750 sqft are generally exempt from school impact fees per state law" } ] }, "calculation_method": { "steps": [ { "step": 1, "action": "Determine assessable new square footage from building permit application", "notes": "Net new area = proposed area - existing area (for additions/alterations)" }, { "step": 2, "action": "Classify project as residential or commercial/industrial", "notes": "Mixed-use: each portion assessed at its respective rate" }, { "step": 3, "action": "Multiply net new square footage by applicable rate", "formula": "Fee = Net New SF x Rate per SF" }, { "step": 4, "action": "Apply any applicable exemptions", "notes": "Exemptions require documentation (deed restrictions, age restrictions, etc.)" }, { "step": 5, "action": "Fee is collected by DBI at permit issuance", "notes": "Fee must be paid before permit is issued. Cannot be deferred." } ], "examples": [ { "project": "New 3-bedroom house, 2,000 sqft", "calculation": "2,000 x $4.79 = $9,580", "type": "residential" }, { "project": "500 sqft addition to existing house", "calculation": "500 x $4.79 = $2,395", "type": "residential" }, { "project": "New 5,000 sqft retail space", "calculation": "5,000 x $0.78 = $3,900", "type": "commercial" }, { "project": "Interior remodel of existing 3,000 sqft office (no area change)", "calculation": "0 sqft net new x $0.78 = $0 (exempt — no new area)", "type": "commercial" } ] }, "payment_process": { "when_paid": "At permit issuance, before permit is released", "payable_to": "San Francisco Unified School District", "collected_by": "SF Department of Building Inspection", "appeals": "Disputes go to SFUSD Board; state law limits fee challenges to 90 days after levy", "refunds": "If permit expires without construction, applicant may request refund from SFUSD" }, "state_law_context": { "enabling_legislation": "California Government Code Section 65995 et seq.", "leroy_greene_act": "SB 50 (1998) caps school fees at state-set maximums; local districts cannot exceed these", "biennial_adjustment": "State Controller adjusts maximum fee rates every 2 years based on CPI", "preemption": "State fee caps preempt any local ordinance attempting higher school fees" } }