Online Permits - Instructions and Registration Requirements

Contractor Validation:

To use the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) Online Permits System, all users must have the following:

1.    Valid California Contractor License

        Visit http://www.cslb.ca.gov/ for how to obtain this and check for validity.

        Electrical contractors must have:

• C10  license to obtain any of the electrical work offered online
• C7    license to obtain any of the electrical work for low voltage offered online
• C45  license to obtain any of the electrical work for electrical sign offered online
• C46  license to obtain any of the electrical work for electrical for solar system offered online
• D28  license to obtain any of the electrical work for garage door offered online 
• D34  license to obtain any of the electrical work for prefabricated office workstation offered online

          Plumbing contractors must have:

• C 4 license to obtain plumbing permit
• C16 license to obtain a sprinkler permit
• C20 license to obtain a mechanical permit
• C36 license to obtain a plumbing permit
• C54 license to obtain plumbing permit for shower pan only
• D34 license to obtain mechanical permit
  

2.    Valid San Francisco Business License

Visit Office of the Treasurer and Tax Collector : Business Registration Certificate for how to obtain or renew business licenses.  All requirements by the treasurer tax collector office must be fulfilled to release a ‘HOLD’ on your license.  If a temporary Business Tax Certificate has been issued, please fax a copy to (415) 558-6170 or hand deliver to the Department of Building Inspection, Central Permit Bureau at 1660 Mission Street, 1^st floor, San Francisco, CA 94103.

3.    Valid Workman’s Compensation Certificate

4.    Department of Building Inspection Contractor Database Registration

If you have never done business with DBI as a Licensed Contractor, you must provide the    following items in person to Central Permit Bureau at 1660 Mission Street, 1^st floor:

•   All of the above documents and
•   Your valid driver’s license

 5.    A username and password provided by DBI Online Services Support

• ALL above steps must have been completed first.
• The website address for the forms necessary and information on where to send them is:   Instant Online Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Permits
• DBI Online Services Support will confirm that the information provided is for a valid contractor and that the contractor’s company name matches its contractor license number and business license number in the DBI Permitting system.
• You will be contacted with your username and password assignment.
• Please allow 1 week before receiving login and password.

 Contact Information:

Contractor and the general public may email any questions and/or issues to: DBIOnlineServices@sfgov.org