Electrical Permit in San Francisco, CA
Permit Summary
Who Can Do the Electrical Work?
Homeowner Eligibility Rules
Under San Francisco Electrical Code Section 89.120(E), DBI may issue an electrical permit to a homeowner for work in or about a single-family dwelling only when the homeowner will personally perform the work. LLCs are not eligible for an Electrical Homeowner's Permit. If homeowner-performed work does not comply and required corrections are not made, the deficiencies must be corrected by a state-licensed electrical contractor under a separate permit.
Contractor Rules
Except for the qualifying homeowner pathway, electrical permits may be issued to duly licensed contractors registered with DBI after verification of the state contractor license. DBI's Electrical Permit Application Worksheet also requires a valid California contractor license and valid San Francisco Business Tax registration for non-homeowner installations. Work shown on the permit must be performed by the permittee or bona fide employees of the permittee.
Permit & Plan Review
Electrical Work Covered
The permit process covers electrical installations regulated by the San Francisco Electrical Code, including new or altered general wiring; services, feeders, panelboards, switchboards, transformers, generators, UPS systems and other distribution/utilization equipment; fire-warning and controlled devices; EV charging equipment; security systems; energy-management, HVAC-control and other low-voltage wiring; signs; data/communications systems when not exempt; and other regulated electrical work.
Plan Review Rules
DBI Information Sheet E-01 states that high-rise buildings, low-rise residential buildings with 50 or more units, low-rise nonresidential buildings, and nonresidential tenant improvements are subject to Title 24 and electrical plan review. Plans routed to electrical review must meet DBI drawing and documentation requirements. For new electrical services and distribution systems, fire pumps, or generators submitted for review, plans must show equipment locations, conduit routing, and required electrical calculations.
Quick / No-Plan Permit Rules
DBI provides instant online trade-permit pathways for qualifying work by licensed contractors registered with DBI. Scope that requires plans or additional agency review follows the applicable review path instead. DBI's current EVSE Information Sheet expressly states that an electrical-trade-permit-only application submitted by a registered electrical contractor receives instant issuance.
Service, Panel & Utility Requirements
Service / Panel Rules
Replacement of a main service disconnect requires an electrical permit and inspection regardless of rating. New or altered services and distribution equipment must be included in the permit scope, and when plan review applies DBI requires equipment locations, conduit routing, and electrical calculations. The current residential general-wiring fee tier for up to 40 outlets/devices expressly includes up to a 200-amp service upgrade; larger or standalone service/distribution work is charged under the applicable Table 1A-E category.
Service Reconnect Rules
A permitted electrical installation may not be energized until DBI issues a Certificate to Connect Current, commonly called a Green Tag. If the Building Official disconnects electric service to abate a serious and imminent hazard, the electrical supply may not be reconnected until the Building Official provides written authorization.
Low-Voltage Rules
San Francisco Electrical Code Section 89.121(G) exempts installation of data/communications cable and outlets in R-3 occupancies and individual residential units of 3,000 square feet or less when the installation does not monitor or control electrical utilization equipment or life-safety functions. Low-voltage, security, energy-management, HVAC-control, data/communications, or similar work outside an applicable exemption remains subject to the electrical permit rules and fee categories for its scope.
Utility Coordination Rules
Projects involving new electric service, relocation or change of existing service, temporary power, or significant added electric load may require a separate project and coordination with PG&E under its current Electric and Gas Service Requirements (Greenbook). PG&E's 2026 Greenbook applies to current service projects subject to its transition rules. DBI approval remains separate, and a permitted installation may not be energized until DBI issues the Certificate to Connect Current (Green Tag).
Inspections & Permit Life
Electrical Inspection Stages
All permitted electrical equipment, wiring, and systems are subject to DBI inspection. The permit holder must notify the Electrical Inspection Division at least 24 hours before the desired inspection. Required inspections include a pre-cover inspection before permitted wiring, equipment, or systems are concealed; a final inspection and demonstration of satisfactory operation after completion; and any other inspections needed for code compliance. Wiring or installations may not be concealed, covered, or put into use before required inspection and acceptance. Final approval and payment of fees result in a Declaration of Inspection.
Permit Expiration / Inspection Interval
San Francisco Electrical Code Section 89.122(B) provides that electrical permits expire under Building Code Section 106A.4.4. As amended by Ordinance 259-25 effective June 21, 2026, a permit expires 365 days after issuance if the authorized work has not commenced, or when DBI determines that authorized work has been suspended, discontinued, or abandoned for a continuous 365 days. The Building Official may approve a 180-day extension on a timely written request with the applicable fee and may approve additional extensions for justifiable cause. If an electrical permit expires before work starts, a new permit is required; if work is incomplete, a new permit is required for the remaining work and its fee is based on the work remaining.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
Obtain an electrical permit before installing, constructing, altering, moving, adding to, or replacing an electrical installation regulated by the San Francisco Electrical Code unless a specific Section 89.121 exemption applies. The application must itemize the proposed installation and identify the correct job address. The permit is issued to a duly licensed contractor registered with DBI or to an eligible homeowner, and the permittee or bona fide employees must perform the permitted work. Separate permits are required for separate buildings or structures, applicable fees must be paid, the permit must be posted at the job site, and required inspections and approval must occur before concealment or energization. Emergency electrical work undertaken to protect persons or property requires a permit within one business day after work begins.
Exemptions
San Francisco Electrical Code Section 89.121 exempts specified work from electrical permits and fees, including qualifying repair or replacement of non-emergency luminaires weighing 50 pounds or less with no wiring change; domestic-appliance repair or replacement with no wiring change; replacement of fuses, controls, motors under 2 horsepower, and switches or receptacles rated no more than 20 amperes with no wiring change; same-type/rating replacement of circuit breakers, externally operated switches, and fuse holders not over 100 amperes, except that replacement of a main service disconnect always requires a permit and inspection; qualifying temporary theater/studio set wiring supplied from approved outlets; same-size/rating replacement parts for electric signs or gas-tube lighting; and qualifying data/communications cable or outlets in R-3 occupancies and individual residential units of 3,000 square feet or less that do not monitor or control utilization equipment or life-safety functions.
Required Documents
For the standard application path, complete DBI's Electrical Permit Application Worksheet with the job address, applicant and owner information, contractor license and San Francisco business-registration information when applicable, scope of work, valuation, and relevant service, feeder, circuit, panelboard/switchboard, transformer, outlet/device, and equipment counts. When electrical plan review is required, provide scaled and legible electrical plans with required California-licensed professional or C-10 contractor signatures/stamps, plus applicable Title 24 compliance forms, a single-line diagram, panel schedules and load calculations, service-load calculations, lighting and power plans, control locations, equipment locations, and the applicable DBI energy inspection checklist.