Whole-house repipe permit in San Francisco, CA
Verified local dataPlumbing · San Francisco County
Do you need a permit?
In California, a whole-house repipe needs a plumbing permit, pulled by a licensed C-36 contractor under the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5). The permit covers replacing existing supply (and sometimes drain/waste/vent) piping; common drivers include failing galvanized or polybutylene supply, slab leaks, low-pressure complaints, and pinhole leaks in copper.
Verified San Francisco filing details
- Permit portal
- DBI Online Permits and Permit Tracking
verified May 22, 2026 · source · Online filing for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and Boiler-to-Operate permits; In-House Review building permits are filed via Electronic Plan Review (EPR). Permit tracking at https://dbiweb02.sfgov.org/dbi_building/
- Submission methods
Online · In-person
verified May 22, 2026 · source · Online via DBI's portal for trade permits + EPR for In-House Review building permits; in-person service at DBI's permit counters
- Adopted code edition
SF Building Code (2022 edition, amending the 2022 California Building Code)
verified May 22, 2026 · source · Adopted by the SF Board of Supervisors as Ordinance 225-22 (Nov 10, 2022), effective Dec 11, 2022, with amendments to the 2022 California Building Code; designed to be used in conjunction with the 2022-2025 California Building and Residential Codes
- Fee schedule
- DBI Fee Schedule — applies to all building permits issued on or after September 1, 2025
verified May 22, 2026 · source
Other local notes
DBI Permit Services phone: (415) 558-6088. Online contractor registration is required before filing trade permits; the registration includes signing DBI's Contractor's Agreement & Terms of Service.
verified May 22, 2026 · source
Building Permit Fee = Plan Review Fee + Permit Issuance Fee. The current schedule applies to all permits issued on or after September 1, 2025.
verified May 22, 2026 · source
In-House Review building permits require 100% Electronic Plan Review (EPR) — DBI does not accept paper plans for these projects. Title 24 Energy and Green Building Special Inspection forms must accompany new construction submittals.
verified May 22, 2026 · source
Documents to prepare
- Plumbing permit application
- Contractor license and city business registration
- Pipe material, size, and manufacturer (PEX-A vs. PEX-B, copper type, fitting system)
- Routing plan — trunk-and-branch vs. manifold, with pipe sizes per fixture group
- Pressure-test procedure and the test pressure to be held
- Penetration and fire-stopping details where lines pass through rated assemblies
- Listing/approval for any non-traditional pipe (specific PEX listings, fitting systems)
Common rejection reasons
- Pipe sizing not matching the fixture-unit load (undersized branches feeding multiple fixtures)
- Pipe material or fitting system not listed for potable water use in California
- No pressure-test procedure or insufficient hold pressure shown
- Missing penetration / fire-stopping detail at rated walls and floor assemblies
- Hot-water line insulation not specified per Title 24 Part 6
- DWV scope missing slope, cleanouts, or venting where the repipe includes drainage
Inspection sequence
- Rough/cover inspection with new piping exposed, pressure-tested, and supported
- Insulation inspection for Title 24 hot-water-line insulation where applicable
- Final inspection with fixtures reconnected, pressure restored, and the system tested
Usually no permit
- Replacing an exposed section of supply pipe with the same material and routing (repair)
- Replacing a fixture supply line, angle stop, or stop valve
- Tightening or replacing a single fitting on existing pipe
Who can pull it
Repipes in California are performed by a C-36 (Plumbing) licensed contractor; a B (General Building) contractor may pull within a larger project under CSLB rules. The licensed contractor doing the work typically pulls the permit.