FINANCE SERVICES
The functions of the Finance Services (FS) are to provide support to the Department in the areas of fiscal management, purchasing, and business analysis. This consists of budget preparation and reconciliation; revenue management; controlling labor and non-labor expenditures, capital expenditures and work order expenditures; accounts payable; performing internal audits, and employee claims management. In the area of purchasing, the division is involved in procuring materials and supplies; vendor identification and interfacing; and contract administration. The division also provides needs and operations analysis, revenue/expenditure analysis, and develops office policies and procedures.
The functions of the Management Information Services (MIS) Division are to archive and safeguard DBI's data; to manage network access to files and data; to scan, digitize and store plans, documents and drawings on the network; to develop and maintain an extensive client-server database to support the permitting functions and related complaint and inspection tracking functions; to supply software for common office applications, including: word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, telecommunications, and desktop layout; to install, repair, upgrade and maintain desktop computer equipment and peripherals, including printers, plotters, scanners; to provide daily HelpDesk support for computer-related problems, to assist end-users in graphic projects; provide in-house training; research technical issues; and to provide custom reports both for the public and DBI management.
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Support Services (SS) answers general questions from emails and SF 311 Customer Service Center referrals and inquiries. Responsible for storage and reproduction of plans, permit applications, job cards, and miscellaneous documents; producing the Report of Residential Building Records (3R) and maintaining historical records; Publishing Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Reports; and updating the Department’s website. Support Services is also responsible for the Department's payroll and personnel functions.
The Support Services is divided into three sections: Records Management, Report of Residential Building Records (3R). and Payroll and Personnel.
The Records Management Section is located at the 1650 Mission Street, 3rd Floor, Room 302, San Francisco, CA 94103
To view or obtain copies of building records, you must first request your order by filling out the Records Request From (PDF) . The request form may be faxed to (415) 575-6875 or mailed to: DBI Support Services, Attn: Records, 1660 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Report of Residential Building Records (3R) can also be requested and picked-up at the Records Management Public Counter. Requests must be made through the DBI Request for Report of Residential Building Record Form and accompanied by payment. Payment by credit card (Visa / MasterCard) may only be made in person. All requests must be submitted at our Counter, or mailed to: DBI Support Services, Attn: 3R Requests, 1660 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103. We cannot accept emailed or faxed requests.
For all purchases, we accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and money-orders.
Please visit or contact the Records Management Section at (415) 558-6080 should you need further assistance.
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The Records Management Section stores and reproduces building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit applications and other related documents such as job cards, certificate of final completion and plans.
All requests must be made through our Records Request Form (PDF). The current turnaround time is six (6)business days from receiving the request. Each request should only contain one building address, and we only accept up to six (6) requests per applicant (person/company) per business day. It is important to specify and request exactly what type of information you are looking for to assist our Records Management Staff in finding what you need.
The Records Management Section has the following types of records:
| Permits, Job Cards, CFCs |
Issued Dates |
| Building Permit Applications |
1906 - Present |
| Building Permit Job Cards |
1933 - Present |
| Certificate of Final Completion (CFC/CFO) |
1945 - Present |
| Electrical Permits |
1985 - Present |
| Plumbing Permits |
1975 – Present |
|
Mechanical Permits* |
September 2, 2008 - Present |
|
*DBI separated plumbing and mechanical permits on September 2, 2008 to reflect the change in fees. |
|
Plans by Structure |
Issued Dates |
|
Wood-framed buildings |
1960 - Present |
|
High-rise buildings |
1920* - Present |
|
* Only certain high-rise buildings. |
If you are requesting for prints of plans and do not own the property, you must provide a current and fully completed DBI Affidavit of Owner Form. The property owner information must match the City and Counter of San Francisco (CCSF), Office of the Assessor-Recorder parcel information database.
If the property owner is not an individual, such as a company, a corporation, an LLC, an LP, or a trust, or is governed by a Homeowner's Association, a formal letter with the organization's letterhead must accompany the DBI Affidavit of Owner Form explaining the authority of the person signing the Affidavit. We only accept signatures from the head of the organization or the President of the Board. We cannot accept Property Manager's signature as the Property Owner on the DBI Affidavit Form. Should you have any questions on whose signature is acceptable, please contact us at (415) 558-6080.
If there is a new property owner, we only accept recorded grant deeds with an official barcode and document number to prove new ownership.
Please contact the Records Management Section at (415) 558-6080 should you need further assistance.
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Report of Residential Records (3R) Section researches, compiles and produces the Report of Residential Building Records (Also known as "3R Report").
The San Francisco Housing Code Section 351(a) requires the seller to provide this report to the buyer of a residential property in the City and County of San Francisco before it is sold. A 3R lists the building permit history and establishes the current occupancy.
A residential building is defined as a building or portion thereof containing one or more dwelling units but not including hotels containing 30 or more guest rooms, or motels.
Each residential building requires its own 3R Request Form. If there are multiple residential buildings on one lot, each building requires its own 3R Request and payment. Each request should only contain one building address, and we only accept up to six (6) requests per applicant (person/company) per business day.
All requests must be accompanied with payment (cash, check, money order, Visa or MasterCard). Payment by credit card must be in person. If payment is by check, all checks must have the bank account holders' name printed on the check. There are no refunds after payment has been received. The current turnaround time is five (5) to seven (7) business days from receiving a complete request form accompanied with proper payment.
If this residential building sale falls under the following situations, you
do not need to provide the buyer a 3R.
- First sale of the residential property, and
- Sold within first year of the new construction completion date.
Please contact the Report of Residential Building Record Section at (415) 558-6080 should you need further assistance.
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