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
- Permit Services at DBI (online permits and tracking)
verified Aug 9, 2026 · source · Online filing for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and Boiler-to-Operate permits (one-time contractor registration required); In-House Review building permits are filed via Electronic Plan Review (EPR). The PermitSF portal (https://sanfranciscoca.portal.opengov.com/) covers sign, awning, no-plans reroofing, and door/window/siding replacement permits. Permit tracking at https://dbiweb02.sfgov.org/dbi_building/
- Submission methods
Online · In-person
verified Aug 9, 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 (2025 edition, amending the 2025 California Building Code)
verified Aug 9, 2026 · source · Ordinance 231-25 repealed the 2022 Building Code and enacted the 2025 SF Building Code — the 2025 California Building Code and 2025 California Residential Code as further amended by San Francisco — operative January 1, 2026 (ordinance text: https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/o0231-25.pdf). Designed to be used in conjunction with the 2025 California Building and Residential Codes.
- Fee schedule
- DBI Fee Schedule — applies to all building permits issued on or after July 12, 2026
verified Aug 9, 2026 · source
Other local notes
DBI Permit Services phone: 628-652-3240. Online contractor registration is required before filing trade permits online.
verified Aug 9, 2026 · source
Building Permit Fee = Plan Review Fee + Permit Issuance Fee. The current schedule applies to all building permits issued on or after July 12, 2026.
verified Aug 9, 2026 · source
In-House Review building permits are submitted electronically, with plans formatted as PDFs for electronic review. Title 24 Energy and Green Building Special Inspection forms must accompany new construction submittals.
verified Aug 9, 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.