SF Permits MCP Server

{ "metadata": { "title": "Commercial Tenant Improvement Permit Submission Checklist", "source": "SF DBI permit processing requirements, sf.gov commercial TI guidelines", "date_structured": "2026-02-26", "authority": "SF Department of Building Inspection", "scope": "Commercial tenant improvement projects — office, retail, restaurant, assembly", "notes": [ "Complements the residential pre-plan check checklist (completeness-checklist.json)", "Commercial TI projects have additional agency routing triggers not present in residential", "Restaurant/food service TIs require DPH review in addition to standard DBI review", "Projects in historic districts require additional HPC review documentation" ] }, "required_forms": { "primary": { "form": "Form 3 or Form 8", "selection_logic": "Form 8 for OTC-eligible commercial TI; Form 3 for in-house review", "notes": "Most commercial TIs use Form 3 unless scope is minor (paint, flooring, fixtures only)" }, "supplemental_forms": [ { "form": "Form 6", "when_required": "Change of use or occupancy classification change", "example": "Office to restaurant, retail to assembly" }, { "form": "GS-1 through GS-6", "when_required": "Green building compliance", "selection": "GS-1 for new commercial, GS-5 for alterations; see green-building-requirements.json" }, { "form": "Fire Sprinkler Application", "when_required": "Any modification to fire sprinkler system" }, { "form": "Fire Alarm Application", "when_required": "New or modified fire alarm system" } ] }, "plan_set_requirements": { "cover_sheet": { "required": true, "contents": [ "Project address", "Block and lot", "Scope of work description", "Applicable building codes", "Sheet index", "Owner and architect information", "Construction type and occupancy classification" ] }, "site_plan": { "required": true, "scale": "1/8\" = 1'-0\" minimum", "must_show": [ "Property lines", "Building footprint", "Means of egress from tenant space to public way", "ADA accessible route from public way to tenant space", "Adjacent streets" ] }, "floor_plans": { "required": true, "scale": "1/4\" = 1'-0\" minimum", "must_show": [ "Existing and proposed layout (demo plan + new work plan)", "Room dimensions and uses", "Door swings and hardware schedule", "Fixture locations (plumbing, electrical)", "Exit paths with travel distances", "Fire-rated assemblies and their ratings", "ADA clearances at doors, corridors, restrooms", "Occupant load calculation per room" ] }, "reflected_ceiling_plan": { "required": "When modifying ceiling, lighting, or HVAC", "must_show": [ "Lighting layout with fixture schedule", "Sprinkler head locations", "HVAC diffuser locations", "Exit signs and emergency lighting", "Ceiling heights" ] }, "electrical_plans": { "required": "When modifying electrical systems", "must_show": [ "Panel schedule with circuit loading", "Outlet and switch locations", "Emergency and exit lighting", "Title 24 lighting compliance documentation" ] }, "mechanical_plans": { "required": "When modifying HVAC systems", "must_show": [ "Equipment schedule with capacity", "Duct layout and sizes", "Ventilation calculations per CBC Chapter 4", "Kitchen hood exhaust (if food service)" ] }, "plumbing_plans": { "required": "When modifying plumbing", "must_show": [ "Fixture locations and counts", "Water supply and waste connections", "Grease trap (if food service)", "ADA-compliant fixture details" ] }, "structural_plans": { "required": "When modifying structure or adding significant loads", "must_show": [ "Structural calculations signed by licensed engineer", "Connection details", "Load path for new equipment (e.g., rooftop HVAC)" ] } }, "agency_routing_triggers": { "planning_department": { "triggers": [ "Change of use (Section 311 notification required)", "Formula retail (chain store) in neighborhood commercial district", "New signage requiring Planning approval", "Projects in Article 10/11 historic districts", "Conditional Use authorization required" ], "typical_delay": "2-8 weeks depending on trigger" }, "sffd_fire_department": { "triggers": [ "Assembly occupancy (A-1, A-2, A-3) — any occupant load", "Kitchen hood / Type I exhaust system", "Fire alarm or sprinkler modification", "High-rise building (75+ feet)", "Change from B to A or M occupancy", "Occupant load exceeding 49" ], "typical_delay": "1-3 weeks" }, "dph_public_health": { "triggers": [ "Food service establishment (new or remodel)", "Medical/dental office", "Hazardous materials handling", "Body art establishment" ], "typical_delay": "2-4 weeks" }, "dpw_public_works": { "triggers": [ "Sidewalk occupancy (cafe seating, canopy)", "New curb cut or driveway", "Street tree removal" ], "typical_delay": "1-3 weeks" }, "accessibility_review": { "triggers": [ "All commercial TIs require ADA/CBC Chapter 11B compliance review", "Path of travel upgrades may be required for alterations > $195,348 (2024 threshold)", "Restroom modifications trigger full ADA restroom compliance" ], "typical_delay": "Included in plan check cycle" } }, "common_rejection_reasons": [ { "reason": "Insufficient occupant load calculation", "description": "Floor plans must show occupant load per room using CBC Table 1004.5 factors. Total building occupant load determines exit requirements.", "fix": "Add occupant load table to plans showing: room, area, load factor, calculated load" }, { "reason": "Missing or incorrect exit analysis", "description": "Travel distance, exit width, and number of exits must be shown on plans and comply with CBC Chapter 10.", "fix": "Mark exit paths on floor plans with distances. Verify exit width >= occupant load / 0.2 per inch" }, { "reason": "ADA path of travel deficiencies", "description": "Projects over the path-of-travel threshold must upgrade accessible route, restrooms, drinking fountains, telephones, and signage to current standards.", "fix": "Show compliant 36\" min corridors, 60\" turning radius, lever hardware, compliant restroom layout" }, { "reason": "Missing fire-rated assembly details", "description": "Demising walls, corridor walls, and shaft enclosures must show fire rating. UL assembly numbers required.", "fix": "Provide UL assembly number and detail for each rated wall/floor/ceiling assembly" }, { "reason": "Ventilation calculations missing", "description": "Mechanical plans must show outdoor air rates per CBC Chapter 4 / ASHRAE 62.1.", "fix": "Add ventilation schedule showing cfm per person and per area for each occupied space" }, { "reason": "Title 24 energy compliance not included", "description": "Lighting power density and HVAC efficiency must meet current Title 24 Part 6.", "fix": "Include Certificate of Compliance (CF-1R for lighting, CF-1R-MFM for mechanical)" }, { "reason": "Missing change of use documentation", "description": "When occupancy classification changes, full CBC compliance for new occupancy is required.", "fix": "Provide existing and proposed occupancy on cover sheet, address all applicable code sections for new occupancy" }, { "reason": "Incomplete kitchen exhaust / grease interceptor", "description": "Commercial kitchen projects need Type I hood calculations and grease interceptor sizing.", "fix": "Show hood cfm calculation per CMC, grease interceptor size per plumbing code, SFFD suppression system" } ], "otc_eligibility": { "eligible_scopes": [ "Cosmetic changes only (paint, flooring, ceiling tiles — no layout change)", "Like-for-like fixture replacement", "Adding outlets or lights to existing circuits (no panel modification)" ], "not_eligible": [ "Any change of use or occupancy", "Moving or adding walls (even non-rated)", "Modifying fire sprinkler or alarm systems", "Adding or relocating plumbing fixtures", "Kitchen exhaust modifications", "Work requiring structural modifications" ] } }