Permits

Merchants, Residents or Businesses who want to perform work on city streets or sidewalks should get a permit from DPW first. DPW issues permits to construct, improve, work on or occupy the city's sidewalks and roadways. DPW's permit types include permits for banners, tree planting and removal, driveway cuts, general excavation, landscaping and others.  We can provide you with other resources or requirements you may need to obtain a permit.  

Additional permits and/or fees may be required by other City, State or Federal agencies when jurisdictions overlap or when applications require additional review. 

Below is information about street and sidewalk permits issued by DPW including application forms, guidelines and fee schedules.  Permit Applications are available online, by fax, by mail and others are available only over the counter at:

Department of Public Works
Bureau of Street Use and Mapping
875 Stevenson Street, Room 460
San Francisco, CA 94103 Map
(415) 554-5810
 

DPW Permits for Merchants, Businesses, Residents

•  Banner Permit – to place special event banners on utility poles
•  Cafe Tables and Chairs Permit – to use sidewalk for outdoor seating
•  Display Merchandise/Produce Permit – to display produce and merchandise on sidewalk
•  Debris Box Permit - Debris Box Companies ONLY 
•  Free Sample Merchandise (pdf) – to hand out free information, samples or other items
•  Minor Sidewalk Encroachment Permit – for structures such as fences, retaining walls, warped driveways, planters, steps or stairways that impact the sidewalk
•  Over-Wide Driveway Permit (pdf)  – to construct a driveway more than 30 feet
•  Sidewalk Landscaping Permit – to replace concrete with plants and trees
•  Storage Container Permit - Storage Container Companies ONLY 
•  Street Improvement Permit – to repair or reconstruct sidewalks, gutters, curbs, etc.
•  Street Space/Temporary Occupancy Permit – to use sidewalk during construction
•  Street Tree Permit - to plant or remove a tree   

DPW Permits for Contractors and Builders

•  Borings / Monitoring Wells Permit – for testing and monitoring structures
•  General Excavation Permit (pdf) - to install, repair, remove, or relocate a facility in the street or sidewalk, including cuts or boring
•  Minor Sidewalk Encroachment Permit – for structures such as fences, retaining walls, warped driveways, planters, steps or stairways that will impact the sidewalk
•  Major Encroachment Permit – to place a large facility or structure on sidewalk or street
•  Night Noise Permit –to work on street construction between 8:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
•  Pipe Barrier Permit (pdf) – for security bollards/barriers on the sidewalk
•  Side Sewer Permit (pdf) – for repair or replacement of sewer
•  Special Sidewalk Surface Permit (pdf) – to install decorative design and material on a sidewalk
• Tank Removal Permit (pdf) – to remove an underground fuel tank
• Temporary Occupancy (requires password)
•  Utility Excavation Permit (requires password) - to install, repair, remove, or relocate an above or below ground facility
•  Vault Encroachment Permit (pdf) – to install a building's outside power source
• Wireless Service Facilities  - Permit Application and Exception Map

Penalties / Inspections

If you occupy the public right-of-way or complete work without a permit, you will be subject to fines of up to $10,000 per day. All permits issued by DPW are revocable at the will of the Director of the Public Works. All permits issued are subject to inspection and shall be constructed per approved plans and to City specifications. All encroachments and constructions shall be maintained by the permittee and/or the owner of the fronting property.

Hold Harmless Clause

Permittee agrees on their behalf and that of any successor or assignee to hold harmless, defend, and indemnify the City and County of San Francisco. The Hold Harmless Clause is included in every permit issued by DPW.

Accessibility

Under the general requirements of any Street Use Permit, the permittee must maintain a safe pedestrian walkway with a minimum width of four feet clear at all times. A greater walkway width may be required in areas with greater pedestrian traffic and for non-residential areas. 

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