SFDBI Reverts Back to InPerson Submittals

Nicholas Pounder

Posted by Nicholas Pounder

Featured Image

In Spring 2020, San Francisco Department of Building Inspections (SFDBI) was in the process of transitioning to electronic reviews to become better accessible. Due to COVID-19, the system flooded with requests which led to a backlog of open submittals. To offset the challenges, SFDBI has reverted back from changing all electronic review for permits requiring form ⅜.

Why SFDBI Reverted Back to InPerson Submittals

The City saw an increase in submittals and were unable to accommodate and review services for the amount of electrical submittals they were receiving. Moving forward, all form 3/8 applications will need to make appointments to submit.

What you should take in for your appointments for DBI Submittal

  • Two (2) wet signed/sealed plan sets
  • Completed Form 3/8 permit application
  • Recommend preparing a Letter of Authorization
  • Two (2) copies of Structural Calcs/Energy Calcs… as applicable

Municipalities such as Oakland’s are also struggling to keep up with the influx of electronic reviews and submittals. While many do not plan on reverting back to hard copy or in person submittals; they will be implementing an appointment based submittal process online instead of the recent system where anyone can submit anything at any time.

How Burnham Can Help

At this moment submittal review appointments are booked up to Spring 2021. Our Burnham team is here to help you no matter what stage in the lifecycle your project’s in. For existing or new projects and appointments, contact Burnham with any questions!

Learn About Our San Francisco Office

Does SF DBI still require in-person appointments to submit Electrical Form 3/8 applications today?
No - submittals have moved largely electronic since this 2020-era backlog. Trade permits like Electrical, Plumbing/Mechanical, and similar work can now generally be submitted online, and the city has continued expanding electronic plan review well beyond where it stood during the pandemic.
Is SF's permitting system fully electronic now, or is anything still in-person?
It's a mix by design, not a fallback from a crisis. Smaller, straightforward projects use Over-the-Counter review (drop-in, in-person at the Permit Center), while more complex In-House Review projects moved to 100% electronic plan submission starting in 2024 - both are intentional, stable tracks rather than emergency workarounds.
Do I still need wet-signed, physically sealed plan sets for permit submittals in San Francisco?
Generally not for electronic submittals - most current submissions go through electronic plan review with digital seals, rather than requiring the two physical wet-signed/sealed plan sets this 2020 post described as a COVID-era requirement.
Are other Bay Area cities like Oakland still struggling with permit backlogs the way this post describes?
That's worth checking directly with Oakland's current building department rather than relying on this 2020 snapshot, backlog conditions tend to shift considerably year to year based on staffing and submission volume, and five years is a long time for that specific situation to have evolved.
Does San Francisco still require a separate Planning Department approval before submitting to DBI?
For many projects, yes - but the process has been formalized since this post. Starting January 1, 2024, most new building permit applications requiring Planning Department review must first get a Planning Approval Letter before being submitted to DBI, rather than the two processes running concurrently.

 
OTHER BLOGS

Recent Posts

Tobacco Licenses Are the New Liquor Licenses

The Importance of Building Code Construction Types

Federal Nudge, Local Code: The ROAD to Housing Act

Life Safety Evaluations for Existing Older Buildings
Connect With Us

Simply Getting it Done

Contact Us