DBI expands in‑person plan review and launches online kitchen-and‑bath instant permits

The Department of Building Inspection told the Building Inspection Commission it has resumed and expanded in‑person over‑the‑counter plan review services and launched a new online instant permitting workflow for in‑kind kitchen and bathroom projects.

Assistant Director Christine said DBI began inviting customers back to the permit center April 28, prioritizing applicants who had previously dropped off plans. The phased reopening included outreach webinars on the city’s upcoming all‑electric new construction rule (effective June 1), training on electronic plan review, and staff additions to increase plan‑review capacity. Christine said the expanded over‑the‑counter services produced a “banner week” in permit issuance.

Bruce Yuke of DBI’s Management Information Services demonstrated the new online kitchen‑and‑bath permit, which is limited to contractors with a valid California contractor license, a San Francisco business license, workers’ compensation coverage, and registration in DBI’s contractor database. The system verifies addresses (to ensure R‑3 occupancy and eligibility), contractor licensing, and whether there are open complaints against a property before permitting. Historic Category A properties and projects with structural changes remain ineligible for the instant online process.

DBI said the online workflow will email issued building, electrical and plumbing permits to the applicant, allow electronic payment (e‑check without service fee or credit card with service fee), and provide permit status tracking and downloadable job cards. Staff said they will expand electronic plan review to more project types in coming months and will monitor usage and outcomes.