Do You Need a Roofing Permit in San Francisco?
Usually yes
San Francisco requires a permit before installing, repairing or removing roofing material. The only exemption is reroofing that doesn't touch roof sheathing and covers no more than 25% of the roof in any 12-month period. Licensed C-39 roofing contractors can apply online when no plans or structural work are needed.
San Francisco Roofing Permits at a Glance
- Permits, last 12 months
- 3,201
- Issued, last 30 days
- 55
- Median application to issue
- 0 days
- Median declared job value
- $16,851
- Issuing office
- San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)
- Rule last checked
- October 30, 2026
Permits Issued per Month
Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to roofing work. Data from DataSF: Building Permits, refreshed October 30, 2026.
What San Francisco's Rules Say
- Exempt: reroofing up to 25% of the roof area in 12 months without sheathing work.
- Online reroofing permits are only for licensed C-39 contractors, with no plans and no structural replacement.
- Work that needs plans or replaces decking/sheathing goes through an over-the-counter building permit.
San Francisco Roofing Permit Fees
We have not verified San Francisco's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) sets the fee when you apply.
Busiest Areas for Roofing Permits
| Neighborhood | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| Sunset/Parkside | 391 |
| West of Twin Peaks | 254 |
| Outer Richmond | 173 |
| Mission | 156 |
| Bernal Heights | 149 |
| Lakeshore | 146 |
How to Get a Roofing Permit in San Francisco
- Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
- Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
- Apply with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) through the official department website.
- Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.
Recent San Francisco Roofing Permits
| Issued | Address | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-28 | 37 Cragmont Av | remove existing stucco, install plywood sheeting. apply new water proofing and 3 coat stucco system front wall only. |
| 2026-10-28 | 231 Brussels St | roofing re-surfaces, house & attached garage 17 sq shingles owens corming sierra grey and 8 sq flat roof torch down tota |
| 2026-10-28 | 2031 Bush St | removal & replacement of the roofing, mechanical work under separate permit. |
| 2026-10-28 | 440 Davis Ct | install (n) mini split ac system at elevator equipment room. evaporative coils to be installed in the equipment room and |
| 2026-10-28 | 155 Jackson St | install (n) mini split ac system at elevator equipment room. evaporative coils to be installed in the equipment room and |
| 2026-10-28 | 405 Davis Ct | install (n) mini split ac system at elevator equipment room. evaporative coils to be installed in the equipment room and |
| 2026-10-28 | 550 Battery St | install (n) mini split ac system at elevator equipment room. evaporative coils to be installed in the equipment room and |
| 2026-10-28 | 19 Sharp Pl | repair limited non-structural dryrot siding and replace approx. 400 sq ft of deteriorated mood siding at the rear, non-s |
| 2026-10-27 | 2 Mint Pz | revision to pa# 202509185633 & 202304075314: move the connection of the new 4 inch sewer lateral from nw corner to furth |
| 2026-10-26 | 3250 Van Ness Av | demo and replace cooling tower on roof |
Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a roofing permit in San Francisco?
Usually yes. San Francisco requires a permit before installing, repairing or removing roofing material. The only exemption is reroofing that doesn't touch roof sheathing and covers no more than 25% of the roof in any 12-month period. Licensed C-39 roofing contractors can apply online when no plans or structural work are needed.
How many roofing permits does San Francisco issue?
San Francisco issued 3,201 permits matching roofing work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 267 a month. The busiest month was Apr 2026 with 414.
How much does a roofing permit cost in San Francisco?
We have not yet verified San Francisco's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) when you apply.
How long does it take to get a roofing permit in San Francisco?
Based on the city's records, the median time from application to issue for these permits was 0 days over the last 12 months.
Who issues roofing permits in San Francisco?
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI).
Related Permit Guides
- San Francisco HVAC Permits
- San Francisco Solar Panel Permits
- San Francisco Fence Permits
- Los Angeles Roofing Permits
- Seattle Roofing Permits
- San Francisco Roofing Permit Leads
- Roofing Permits by City
- Roof Replacement Permit Rules in 13 US Cities
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- SF.gov: Apply for a reroofing permit (linked above) (sf.gov)
- SF.gov: Check if your construction project needs a permit (sf.gov)