Do I Need a Permit to Build a Shed in San Francisco, CA?

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Project type City Shed size (sq ft) Stories Electrical work planned? Plumbing planned?

Fees

Estimated city fees

Baseline for a simple permitted shed: $350–$850 estimated combined fees (plan check + permit) for a permitted shed in San Francisco; sheds 120 sq ft and under with no utility work are generally building-permit-exempt under CRC R105.2, but SF Planning Code rear-yard and lot-coverage rules still apply

Fee	Amount	Notes
DBI plan check fee (sheds over 120 sq ft)	$200–$500 (estimated)	SF DBI fees are based on project valuation. A simple shed in the 120–400 sq ft range typically falls in this window. Larger or more complex sheds cost more. Verify at sf.gov/information/building-permit-fees.
Building permit / issuance fee	$150–$350 (estimated)	Paid after plan check approval. Combined plan check and permit fee for a typical permitted shed runs $350–$850.
Electrical / plumbing / mechanical trade permits	$100–$300 each (estimated)	Each utility trade in a shed triggers a separate DBI permit and inspection, even when the shed itself is building-permit-exempt.
State SMIP surcharge	0.013% of permit valuation	California Strong Motion Instrumentation Program surcharge applies to all California building permits.

Documents

Required documents

SF DBI permit application submitted through the DBI Online Permit Application (OPA) portal at aca-prod.accela.com/SFDBI or in person at 49 South Van Ness Avenue for any shed exceeding the 120 sq ft exemption or requiring structural review.
Scaled site plan showing property lines, existing structures, rear yard dimensions, and the proposed shed location, footprint, and dimensions — required to confirm Planning Code rear-yard and lot-coverage compliance.
Floor plan and elevations showing shed dimensions, wall heights, roof pitch, door and window openings, and intended use.
Foundation details appropriate to shed size and site conditions — slab, concrete piers, or wood runners — demonstrating CBC SDC D seismic compliance (anchor bolts, hold-downs) for sheds over 120 sq ft.
Structural drawings or calculations for sheds over 120 sq ft, addressing seismic lateral loads under CBC SDC D requirements.
Soils or geotechnical report for hillside lots, landslide-prone parcels, or properties subject to SFBC Appendix R (Hillside Construction).
Manufacturer's installation instructions and specifications for prefabricated shed kits when applicable.
SF Planning Department OTC review or Zoning Certificate confirming rear-yard setbacks and lot coverage compliance, where required.
Historic Preservation Commission Categorical Exemption or Certificate of Appropriateness if the shed is on a parcel listed on the SF Historic Resource Inventory or in a designated historic district.
Trade drawings and load schedules for electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work if utilities are being added to the shed.

Timeline

Typical timing

Plan review: 10–20 business days (standard); potentially same-day OTC for qualifying simple shed projects with complete plans
Total cycle: 3–8 weeks from application to final inspection for permitted sheds

Hillside projects, geotechnical review, historic preservation review, and CBC SDC D structural correction rounds extend the timeline. Sheds within the 120 sq ft exemption with no utility work can proceed after confirming Planning Code rear-yard setbacks, with no DBI plan review required.

Process

How the permit process works

Apply the 120-square-foot CRC exemption as the first filter Under CRC Section R105.2, a one-story storage or tool shed at 120 square feet or less is generally exempt from the DBI building permit requirement. Larger sheds, multi-story structures, and any shed with electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work require a permit. Even exempt-sized sheds must comply with SF Planning Code rear-yard, setback, and lot-coverage requirements.
Confirm Planning Code rear-yard and lot-coverage limits Use the SF Property Information Map at sfplanninggis.org to identify your parcel's zoning district, rear yard requirement, and any historic or Special Use District overlay. SF Planning Code Sections 136 and 242 require that most residential lots preserve a minimum rear yard — a shed must fit within the rear yard without eliminating required open space. Contact the SF Planning Department OTC counter at sfplanning.org to confirm placement compliance before purchasing or building.
Screen for hillside, geologic hazard, and historic overlays Check the SF Seismic Hazard Zones map and DBI hillside resources to determine if SFBC Appendix R applies. If so, a soils report and geotechnical review are required. For properties on the SF Historic Resource Inventory or in a historic district, contact Planning's Historic Preservation staff to determine if a Categorical Exemption or Certificate of Appropriateness is needed before installing the shed.
Identify utility scope and trade permit needs Decide whether the shed will have electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. Each utility trade requires a separate DBI permit and inspection regardless of shed size. Plan for trade permits even when the shed itself is building-permit-exempt under CRC R105.2.
Prepare plans and CBC SDC D details for permitted sheds For sheds over 120 sq ft, prepare a site plan, floor plan, elevations, and foundation details. Seismic SDC D requirements apply — anchor bolts, hold-downs, and lateral bracing must be addressed. Prefab sheds should include manufacturer installation documents showing anchorage methods. Hillside sites should engage a licensed geotechnical engineer.
Submit through the DBI OPA portal or at 49 South Van Ness Apply at aca-prod.accela.com/SFDBI or in person at DBI, 49 South Van Ness Avenue. Simple shed projects that qualify for over-the-counter approval can receive same-day issuance. Standard applications are reviewed through DBI's electronic plan check queue.
Clear plan check corrections, pay fees, and complete inspections DBI plan checkers verify rear-yard compliance, structural/seismic design, and trade coordination. After approval, pay fees and keep the permit accessible on site. Schedule inspections through the DBI inspection system. Typical shed inspections include a footing inspection, framing inspection, and final. Trade inspections are scheduled separately.

Code basis

What San Francisco reviews against

California Residential Code (CRC) Section R105.2 (work exempt from permit — one-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 sq ft) as adopted under the San Francisco Building Code (SFBC); SF Planning Code Sections 136 and 242 and district-specific accessory structure regulations (rear yard, lot coverage, height limits); 2022 California Building Code (CBC) Title 24 for structural and seismic requirements (Seismic Design Category D); SFBC Appendix R (Hillside Construction) for hillside and landslide-zone parcels.

Residential permit page San Francisco permit portal

If you skip the permit

What can go wrong

SF DBI can issue a stop-work order if a shed that needed a permit is built without one.
A shed placed in a required rear yard or violating lot coverage limits can trigger a Planning Code enforcement action requiring relocation or removal.
After-the-fact DBI review can require opening walls or exposing the foundation to verify structural and seismic compliance.
Unpermitted electrical work in a shed creates fire and shock hazards that go unverified without DBI trade inspections.
Historic preservation violations in San Francisco trigger enforcement separate from building-code issues and can require restoration at the owner's expense.
California real estate law requires disclosure of unpermitted improvements — an unpermitted shed larger than the exemption threshold must be disclosed in a sale.

FAQ

Common San Francisco shed permit questions

Do I need a permit to build a shed in San Francisco, CA?

Usually not if the shed is 120 square feet or less. Under California Residential Code Section R105.2, a one-story detached storage or tool shed with a floor area not exceeding 120 square feet is generally exempt from the DBI building permit requirement. Larger sheds, multi-story structures, and any shed with utility work require a permit. But note: the building-permit exemption does not eliminate SF Planning Code compliance — rear-yard setbacks, lot coverage limits, and open-space requirements still apply.

What is the largest shed I can build without a permit in San Francisco?

The California CRC exemption threshold is 120 square feet for a one-story detached accessory structure. That threshold applies in San Francisco under the SFBC. But San Francisco Planning Code requirements — rear yard, lot coverage, and height limits — apply to all sheds regardless of size. Confirm Planning Code compliance at sfplanning.org or the SF Property Information Map before ordering a prefab or pouring footings.

Does SF's seismic zone affect shed permitting?

Yes. San Francisco is in Seismic Design Category D. For permitted sheds, structural drawings must address seismic lateral loads — anchor bolts, hold-downs, and lateral bracing per 2022 CBC requirements. Small exempt-sized sheds are not subject to DBI plan check, but permitted sheds must have foundations and framing designed for SDC D.

Does my SF hillside lot affect shed permitting?

Yes. Hillside properties and parcels in mapped landslide hazard zones are subject to SFBC Appendix R (Hillside Construction). Even a small shed on a hillside lot may require a geotechnical soils report before DBI will issue a permit, depending on slope, soil conditions, and foundation type. Check your property's hazard zone status using the SF Property Information Map at sfplanninggis.org.

Does adding electricity to my SF shed require a permit?

Yes. Adding wiring, outlets, lighting, or a subpanel to a shed requires a separate DBI electrical permit and inspection, even when the shed itself is 120 square feet or under and otherwise building-permit-exempt under CRC R105.2.

How much does an SF shed permit cost?

For a shed requiring DBI review, expect roughly $350–$850 in combined plan check and permit fees depending on size and scope. Sheds within the 120 sq ft CRC exemption with no utility work incur no building permit fee. Verify current fee amounts at sf.gov/information/building-permit-fees.

Sources

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