Short Answer
Yes, two programsAn ADU in San Francisco needs a building permit from the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), filed under either the State ADU program or the City's Local program. State program ADUs get ministerial review at DBI's Permit Review Roundtable with a 60-day timeframe from a complete application; Local program ADUs first need Planning Department in-house review and a Planning Approval Letter.
Source: SF.gov: Get a Building Permit for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) (linked under Sources below)
San Francisco ADU Permits at a Glance
- ADU permits, last 12 months
- 269
- Median application to issue
- 174 days
- Slowest quarter took at least
- 354 days
- New detached ADUs
- 79
Of the 7 cities we track for ADUs, San Francisco ranks 4 of 7 by median wait. The median declared job value on these permits was $95,438.
Who Can Apply and Do the Work
SF Planning recognizes four ADU types: converted (inside existing space), attached (an expansion), detached (a free-standing building) and junior ADUs, which convert up to 500 square feet of a single-family house and require owner occupancy if the JADU shares sanitation with the house. The two programs cannot be combined on one project.
What You Need Before the Permit Is Issued
- Check your lot's zoning and existing unit count on the Property Information Map; under the Local program, lots with 4 or fewer legal units can add 1 ADU plus 1 detached ADU, and lots with 5 or more can add unlimited ADUs plus 1 detached ADU.
- Local program only: submit the Notice of Addition of ADU and a declaration to the Rent Board, then a Project Application (PRJ) for Planning's in-house review.
- Local program only: confirm there have been no owner move-in evictions in the last 5 years and no other no-fault evictions in the last 10 years.
- Prepare architectural, structural and mechanical/electrical plans and Title 24 energy compliance for a full permit, or architectural plans only for a site permit.
- An ADU cannot remove housing services such as a garage, laundry room or storage from existing tenants without a just cause.
What Else to Know in San Francisco
SF.gov says adding a unit typically costs at least $125,000 in materials and labor, with architects and engineers at about 10% of construction costs and City fees at 6% to 9%. State program ADUs skip neighborhood notification and discretionary review, and appeals are barred for permits filed on or after January 1, 2024. Local program ADUs can receive Planning Code waivers but become subject to rent control. ADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals.
San Francisco ADU Permit Costs
| Item | Official figure |
|---|---|
| City fees, as a share of construction cost | 6% to 9% (SF.gov estimate) |
| Typical construction cost of a new unit | At least $125,000 (SF.gov estimate) |
From the official page cited in the Short Answer, checked October 30, 2026.
What San Francisco's ADU Permit Data Shows
| Type of ADU | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion of a garage, basement or other existing space | 106 | 39% |
| New detached ADU | 79 | 29% |
| Attached ADU | 5 | 2% |
| Junior ADU | 2 | 1% |
| Not specified in the description | 77 | 29% |
ADU Permits Issued per Month
Types are classified from each permit's description. Building permits whose description mentions an ADU, JADU or accessory dwelling unit. Data from DataSF: Building Permits, October 30, 2025 to October 30, 2026.
Where ADUs Are Being Permitted
| Neighborhood | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| Sunset/Parkside | 34 |
| Mission | 24 |
| Bayview Hunters Point | 22 |
| West of Twin Peaks | 20 |
| Bernal Heights | 16 |
| Oceanview/Merced/Ingleside | 13 |
Recent ADU Permits
| Issued | Work as described by the city |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-28 | legalize (e) space on ground floor as an adu state program. upgrade exit corridor to 1 hr rating by addition o |
| 2026-10-28 | legalize (e) space on ground floor as an adu state program. upgrade exit corridor to 1 hr rating by addition o |
| 2026-10-27 | new adu first floor using state program sec. 65852.2. adu will incl. new bedrm, kitchen, bathrm, & living rm. |
| 2026-10-27 | new adu first floor using state program sec. 65852.2. adu will incl. new bedrm, kitchen, bathrm, & living rm. |
| 2026-10-23 | add state adu in proposed single family dwelling per ord 95-17, ref pa #202003035977. no change to the buildin |
| 2026-10-23 | to comply with nov #202654587: repair fire-damaged (2) bathrooms, (2) kitchens, replace sheetrock throughout. |
How to Get an ADU Permit in San Francisco
- Confirm what your lot allows. Zoning, existing unit count, hillside, fire and historic status decide which ADU types and how many you can add.
- Choose the program and plans. Decide between the State program and the Local program; they cannot be combined.
- Complete the prerequisites listed above before you file.
- File the building permit through PermitSF, over the counter or for in-house review.
- Build, pass inspections and get final sign-off before anyone moves in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build an ADU in San Francisco?
An ADU in San Francisco needs a building permit from the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), filed under either the State ADU program or the City's Local program. State program ADUs get ministerial review at DBI's Permit Review Roundtable with a 60-day timeframe from a complete application; Local program ADUs first need Planning Department in-house review and a Planning Approval Letter.
How long does an ADU permit take in San Francisco?
For the 266 ADU permits issued between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026 with both dates published, the median time from application to issue was 174 days, and a quarter took 354 days or longer, according to the city's open data.
How many ADU permits does San Francisco issue?
269 in the 12 months to October 30, 2026. About 39% converted existing space such as a garage, 29% were new detached units, 2% were attached and 1% were junior ADUs, based on the permit descriptions.
What is the difference between the State and Local ADU programs in San Francisco?
State program ADUs are ministerial: a 60-day review from a complete application, no neighborhood notification or discretionary review, and no Planning Code compliance for things like rear yards. Local program ADUs need Planning in-house review first, can get Planning Code waivers and allow more ADUs on some multi-family lots, but are subject to rent control.
Can I rent my San Francisco ADU on Airbnb?
No. SF Planning says ADUs are ineligible for the Short-Term Rental program.
Related Permit Guides
- San Francisco Building Permits
- ADU Permit Requirements: What Homeowners Need to Know
- Los Angeles ADU Permit Requirements
- San Diego ADU Permit Requirements
- Chicago ADU Permit Requirements
- Austin ADU Permit Requirements
- Seattle ADU Permit Requirements
- New York ADU Permit Requirements
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- SF.gov: Get a Building Permit for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) (sf.gov)
- SF Planning: Accessory Dwelling Units (sfplanning.org)
- DataSF: Building Permits (data.sfgov.org)