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San Francisco — Applications & Forms

The San Francisco Applications & Forms, explained in plain English with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

San Francisco processes development through a set of official department forms and supplemental checklists used at intake, routing, and approval. The core workflow pairs a Planning “Project Application (PRJ)” for land-use review with Department of Building Inspection (DBI) building permit forms for construction, plus targeted supplements (e.g., Conditional Use, Variance, Neighborhood Notification, CEQA, SFPUC, SFFD). Over‑the‑counter (OTC) eligibility is narrow and documented by DBI guidance for projects that fully meet prescriptive standards.

The single most important intake rule: submit the correct “base” application and every required supplemental form the code pathway triggers (e.g., § 303 for Conditional Use, § 305 for Variance, § 311 for Neighborhood Notification), or your submittal will be deemed incomplete and routed back.

What the official Applications & Forms cover

  • Planning “base” and supplemental entitlement packets:
    • Project Application (PRJ) (general) — required to open Planning review.
    • Small Residential Project Application (PRJ) — base intake for smaller residential scopes.
    • Conditional Use Authorization (CUA) — Supplemental (triggered by § 303).
    • Variance (VAR) — Supplemental (triggered by § 305).
    • Neighborhood Notification Info + Declaration (Planning Code § 311).
    • Environmental Evaluation Application (EEA) — CEQA intake.
  • DBI building permit applications:
    • DBI Form 1/2 (New Construction); DBI Form 3/8 (Additions/Alterations/Repairs); DBI Form 6 (Demolition); DBI Form 4/7 (Signs); DBI Form 5 (Grading/Excavation).
    • Permit Applicant & Agent Disclosure, Owner‑Builder/Agent authorizations, and Special Inspection/Structural Observation when applicable.
  • Multi‑agency attachments often required at intake or issuance:
    • SFPUC Development Services Checklist (water/power/sewer).
    • Public Works forms for street space and subdivision mapping.
    • SFFD operational permit forms/guidance for uses needing fire permits.
    • DPH Dust Control Plan or Site Assessment & Mitigation where triggered.

San Francisco Planning reviews for consistency with the San Francisco Planning Code; certain geographies add procedures — e.g., projects in the Coastal Zone undergo Local Coastal Program consistency review per § 330.5.1–§ 330.5.2. For most design, bulk and siting questions, see the city’s linked standards pages for Height & Bulk, Setbacks & Yards, and Use Districts instead of this forms page.

Picking the right application packet

Use the table below to match your scope to the official form(s) and the controlling code pathway. When a Planning entitlement is triggered (e.g., § 303 Conditional Use), submit the PRJ base application plus the relevant supplemental packet.

Application type When you use it Primary form(s) OTC-eligible? Code Reference
Planning base intake Any project needing Planning review PRJ (general) or Small Residential PRJ N/A Not found in retrieved materials; form exists (PRJ).
Conditional Use Authorization Uses requiring Commission approval PRJ + CUA Supplemental No (Commission hearing) § 303 (CUA procedures).
Variance Relief from Planning Code standards PRJ + VAR Supplemental No (ZA hearing) § 305 (Variances).
Neighborhood Notification Projects subject to 311 notice 311 Info Packet + Declaration Routing-dependent § 311 (Neighborhood Notification).
CEQA Environmental Evaluation Non-exempt projects Environmental Evaluation Application No (discretionary) CEQA applies; local intake via EEA packet.
DBI Building Permit — New New buildings DBI Form 1/2 Varies Building permit required; see DBI Form 1/2.
DBI Building Permit — Alteration Interior/exterior alterations DBI Form 3/8 Varies (simple scopes often OTC) Building permit required; see DBI Form 3/8.
Demolition (entire building) Full demolition DBI Form 6 No (in-house review typical) Building permit (demolition); DBI Form 6.
Signs New or altered signs DBI Form 4/7 Varies Building permit (sign); DBI Form 4/7.
Grading/Excavation Earthwork in ROW/private DBI Form 5 + PW permits as needed Varies DBI/PW permits; see Form 5 and PW forms.
ADU (ministerial) ADU under local/state rules Small Residential PRJ + ADU Multi‑Agency Checklist Varies; ministerial path § 207.1–§ 207.2 (ADU rules).
SB 9 duplex/lot split State SB 9 pathway PRJ + SB 9 Supplemental; PW mapping if split Ministerial (planning) Not found in retrieved materials (local §); SB 9 Supplemental exists.
Coastal Zone Projects in Coastal Zone PRJ + LCP consistency review No (discretionary review) § 330.5.1–§ 330.5.2.

Over‑the‑Counter vs. In‑House submittal

  • DBI allows OTC issuance for very limited scopes that fully meet prescriptive standards. One explicit pathway is seismic/cripple‑wall bracing under the California Existing Building Code, Appendix A3: if your plans fully conform to Appendix A3, DBI states the permit “shall be issued over‑the‑counter”; if not, submit full plans for standard review.
  • Your OTC eligibility otherwise depends on scope and agency routing. Verify at the Permit Center; see San Francisco Permits & Forms and Review Timelines for processing expectations.

Note: Building design must meet the California Building Standards Code. Planning conformance (uses, Conditional Use, Setbacks & Yards, Height & Bulk, and any Special Use Districts) governs whether supplemental Planning packets (e.g., § 303, § 305, § 311) attach to your PRJ.

Submittal package expectations (by department)

  • Planning
    • Always include the appropriate PRJ base application.
    • Add required supplements your code path triggers: CUA (§ 303), Variance (§ 305), 311 Notice, and EEA where non‑exempt.
    • ADU submittals use the PRJ plus the multi‑agency ADU Checklist; standards are in § 207.1–§ 207.2.
  • DBI
    • Pick the correct building permit application: Form 1/2 (new), 3/8 (alterations), 6 (demolition), 4/7 (signs), 5 (grading).
    • Attach DBI’s Permit Applicant & Agent Disclosure and, if applicable, owner‑builder/agent authorization and Special Inspection/Structural Observation forms.
    • For CEBC A3 seismic brace/bolt projects, OTC is available only when fully prescriptive; otherwise, submit engineered plans for in‑house review.
  • SFPUC, Public Works, SFFD, DPH
    • SFPUC Checklist is frequently required before issuance (water/sewer/power confirmations).
    • Public Works handles street space (e.g., sidewalk occupancy) and subdivision mapping packets.
    • SFFD requires operational permits for certain uses/activities; coordinate early.
    • DPH may require a Dust Control Plan or Site Assessment & Mitigation application based on site conditions.

Checklist

  • Determine your scope and district standards; if you need a Commission/Zoning Administrator decision, plan on a PRJ plus the correct entitlement supplement (e.g., § 303 CUA, § 305 Variance, § 311 Notice).
  • Complete the Planning PRJ (general or Small Residential).
  • Select the correct DBI building permit form: 1/2 (new) or 3/8 (alterations); add 6 for demolition, 4/7 for signs, 5 for grading.
  • Include DBI’s Permit Applicant & Agent Disclosure and any required owner/agent authorization.
  • Attach the SFPUC Checklist; resolve water/sewer/power reviews if applicable.
  • If CEQA is not categorically/statutorily exempt, file the Environmental Evaluation Application.
  • For ADUs, add the multi‑agency ADU Checklist; standards are in § 207.1–§ 207.2.
  • If in the Coastal Zone, expect LCP consistency review per § 330.5.1–§ 330.5.2.
  • Confirm OTC eligibility (e.g., CEBC A3 projects) vs. in‑house routing at DBI.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Choosing the wrong base form Missing PRJ or wrong DBI form stalls intake Which PRJ packet and DBI form fit your scope.
Missing entitlement supplement § 303/§ 305/§ 311 triggers are code‑based; missing packets = denial Whether your use/standard requires CUA, Variance, or 311 Notice.
Assuming OTC when in‑house is required OTC is narrow; misrouting can add weeks If your project fully meets CEBC A3 or other OTC criteria DBI applies.
CEQA path unclear Environmental review changes schedule/cost If the EEA packet is required for your scope.
Utility holds SFPUC sign‑offs can gate issuance Whether the SFPUC Checklist is needed.
Coastal Zone procedures Extra findings under the LCP Whether § 330.5.1–§ 330.5.2 apply to your parcel.

Plain-English Summary

In San Francisco, you pair a Planning “PRJ” application with the correct DBI building permit form, then add only the supplements the code pathway requires (e.g., Conditional Use under § 303, Variance under § 305, 311 Notification). Some small, prescriptive scopes can be approved over‑the‑counter, but most projects route through in‑house review; always include the SFPUC checklist and any fire/health/streets permits if your scope triggers them.

Source References

Information Gaps

  • Citywide OTC eligibility criteria outside the CEBC Appendix A3 pathway: Not found in retrieved materials.
  • A Planning Code citation expressly mandating the PRJ base application: Not found in retrieved materials.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • San Francisco Zoning Code High relevance
  • San Francisco Zoning Code (Section 311) High relevance
  • San Francisco Zoning Code High relevance
  • San Francisco Zoning Code High relevance
  • California Building Code (Chapter A3) High relevance
  • San Francisco Zoning Code High relevance
  • San Francisco Zoning Code High relevance
  • San Francisco Zoning Code (Section 311) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Which Planning application do I start with in San Francisco?

Most land-use reviews start with a Planning “Project Application (PRJ)” — general or Small Residential — and then add any required supplements. The PRJ packets are the department’s official intake forms. Use CUA (§ 303) or Variance (§ 305) supplements only if your scope triggers those processes.

When do I need a Conditional Use Authorization?

You need a CUA when your proposed use or project is in a category the Planning Code treats as “conditional.” Apply with the PRJ plus the CUA Supplemental; the process is governed by § 303. Expect Commission hearing and findings.

How do I request a Variance from Planning standards?

If strict application of the Planning Code causes practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships, you may request a Variance. File the PRJ and the Variance Supplemental; procedures are under § 305, typically with a Zoning Administrator hearing.

What triggers Neighborhood Notification under § 311?

Neighborhood Notification applies to certain residential alterations and additions citywide. Use the Neighborhood Notification Info Packet and the Section 311 Instructions & Declaration Form when your scope qualifies; the process is rooted in § 311.

Can my permit be approved over-the-counter?

Possibly, but only for narrow, prescriptive scopes. DBI explicitly allows OTC issuance for projects that fully comply with CEBC Appendix A3 (e.g., certain seismic brace/bolt work). Otherwise, expect in‑house review.

Which DBI form do I use for interior remodeling?

Most alterations (no new building) use DBI Form 3/8 (Additions/Alterations/Repairs). Pair it with the Permit Applicant & Agent Disclosure, and attach Planning PRJ/supplements only if your scope also needs Planning review.

What forms are required for a new single‑family home?

Use DBI Form 1/2 (New Construction) and a Planning PRJ (Small Residential PRJ for smaller scopes). Add the SFPUC Checklist and any Planning supplements (e.g., § 311 notice, if applicable).

How do I apply for an ADU?

Submit the appropriate PRJ and include the multi‑agency ADU Checklist; the governing standards are in § 207.1–§ 207.2. Ministerial review focuses on objective standards; coordinate early with DBI for building plan review.

Do Coastal Zone projects need special forms?

They follow standard PRJ intake but must show consistency with the Local Coastal Program. The Planning Department reviews Coastal Zone applications per § 330.5.1, with findings required under § 330.5.2; appeals go to the Board of Permit Appeals.

What’s required to demolish a building?

Use DBI Form 6 (Application for Demolition Permit). Expect in‑house review and additional agency steps (e.g., SF Environment C&D compliance, street space coordination).

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