What does getPermit actually do?

getPermit reads your job details and tells you what a California city expects before you file: which permits the work triggers, the documents and plans you'll need, the fees to budget for, and the common reasons applications in that jurisdiction get bounced back. It produces a clear checklist you can act on. It does not submit to the city for you — you (or your permit person) stay in control of what gets filed.

Is there a human involved, or is it just AI?

Both. The AI does the research and drafts the assessment and checklist; an experienced permit coordinator reviews and approves it before it's treated as authoritative. The human check is the point — it's how we keep it trustworthy in a process where a wrong filing has real consequences.

Which cities do you cover?

We're starting deep in California rather than shallow everywhere. For a city we haven't fully mapped yet, we'll give you accurate general California guidance and point you to that city's official building department — and you can join the waitlist to be notified when we cover it in depth. We will not invent city-specific fees or timelines we haven't verified.

Solo electricians, plumbers, and HVAC contractors, and small general contractors who don't have a dedicated permit department and lose billable hours to permit admin.

How much does it cost?

It's pre-launch. Join the waitlist and you'll get founder pricing, your jurisdiction prioritized, and a direct line to the team. No spam, no credit card.

We're onboarding a first set of California contractors. Join the waitlist with your city and trade so we can prioritize the jurisdictions our early users actually work in.

Electrical permits in San Francisco, CA

A plain-English starting point for electrical contractors working in San Francisco (San Francisco County). This is general California guidance — it does not replace the requirements published by the city.

Short answer

In California, most electrical work beyond a like-for-like device or fixture swap needs a permit from the local building department, generally pulled by a licensed C-10 contractor — panel upgrades, new or extended circuits, service changes, EV chargers, and solar/battery interconnection all typically require one. The governing code is the California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3, based on the NEC).

San Francisco-specific fees, forms, and timelines are set by San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI). Verified data — portal, fee schedule, adopted code — is sourced below.

The general picture

California electrical work is governed by the California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3, based on the NEC). Most electrical work beyond like-for-like repair — panel upgrades, new circuits, service changes, EV chargers, solar interconnection — generally requires a permit from the local building department, and a licensed C-10 contractor is typically involved. Exact submittal requirements, fees, and review timelines are set by each city and are not standardized statewide — confirm them with the jurisdiction below before you file.

Typically needs a permit

Service panel upgrades
Rewires and circuit additions
EV charger installs
Solar / battery interconnection

Usually doesn't (general norm)

Replacing a single switch, receptacle, or light fixture like-for-like
Swapping a breaker for one of the same rating and type
Repairing a damaged section of existing wiring with the same type and capacity
Most low-voltage work (thermostats, doorbells) — often, but not universally

Documents & plans generally required

Completed building/electrical permit application
Contractor's license and city business/registration info
Site or floor plan showing the affected areas (larger scopes)
Load calculations and a single-line diagram for service or panel changes
Equipment cut sheets (EV chargers, batteries, generators)
Title 24 documentation where lighting or PV is involved

Common reasons electrical applications get bounced

These are general, code-rooted patterns across California — not a San Francisco rejection rate.

Load calculations missing or not matching the proposed service size
No single-line diagram for a service or panel change
Scope on the application doesn't match the plans (e.g., panel-swap application but drawings add circuits)
Equipment not listed/labeled to a recognized standard, or no cut sheets
PV/battery work submitted without the required interconnection or utility documentation

The inspection sequence

A typical order — the number of stops and exact sequence vary by jurisdiction and scope.

1Rough/in-progress inspection before walls or trenches are closed
2Service or temporary-power coordination with the utility where applicable
3Final inspection with the panel labeled and the work energized and tested

Licensing — who can pull it

Electrical work in California is generally performed by a C-10 (Electrical) licensed contractor; a licensed B (General Building) contractor may pull it within a larger project under CSLB rules. The permit is typically pulled by the licensed contractor doing the work. Licensing and who may pull a permit are governed by the CSLB and the local department — not by getPermit.

San Francisco permit data

Sourced from public City of San Francisco documents — every field carries the source URL and verification date.

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/

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

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) →All verified San Francisco data →

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to replace an electrical panel in California?

Generally yes. A panel or service upgrade changes the building's electrical service and almost always requires an electrical permit and an inspection, with load calculations and a single-line diagram. The exact submittal format and fees are set by the city — confirm with the building department linked below.

Does an EV charger install need a permit?

In California a hardwired Level 2 EV charger generally needs an electrical permit because it adds a dedicated circuit and load. Some cities offer a streamlined EV-charger permit. Confirm the local process with the AHJ below.

Can I do permitted electrical work without a C-10 license?

For permitted commercial trade work, the permit is generally pulled by a licensed contractor — typically a C-10, or a B general contractor on a larger project. Licensing rules are set by the CSLB and the local department.

Is a permit required for a like-for-like fixture swap?

Usually not — replacing a single switch, receptacle, or light fixture with the same type is generally treated as maintenance in most California jurisdictions. This is a general norm, not a guarantee; a few cities are stricter. Check the city below.

Other trades in San Francisco

Plumbing permits HVAC permits ADU permits Solar permits Roofing permits All San Francisco permits All California guides

Want getPermit to map San Francisco in depth?

Join the waitlist with your city and trade. We prioritize the jurisdictions our early users actually work in — and we'll never invent fees or timelines we haven't verified.

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