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.

HVAC permits in San Francisco, CA

A plain-English starting point for HVAC 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, HVAC equipment changeouts (AC, furnace, heat pump), new mini-splits, and ductwork generally need a mechanical permit, and most changeouts also trigger Title 24 energy-compliance documentation and sometimes third-party HERS verification. Like-for-like thermostat or filter work usually doesn't. The governing codes are the California Mechanical Code and the Title 24 energy standards.

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 HVAC work is governed by the California Mechanical Code and California's Title 24 energy standards. Equipment changeouts (AC, furnace, heat pump), new mini-splits, and ductwork generally require a mechanical permit, and many changeouts trigger Title 24 energy-compliance documentation. The exact forms, energy paperwork, fees, and review process are set per city and are not standardized statewide — confirm with the jurisdiction below before filing.

Typically needs a permit

AC / furnace changeouts
Heat pump installs
Mini-split systems
Ductwork and Title 24 docs

Usually doesn't (general norm)

Replacing a thermostat like-for-like
Routine maintenance, cleaning, or filter changes
Repairing a unit with the same components (no equipment change)

Documents & plans generally required

Mechanical permit application
Contractor license and city registration
Equipment specs / AHRI certificate for the new unit
Title 24 / CF compliance documentation, including HERS-required measures
Load calc (Manual J/D or equivalent) and duct layout for new or significantly changed systems
Gas line and venting details where applicable

Common reasons HVAC applications get bounced

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

Missing or incomplete Title 24 / HERS documentation for a changeout that requires it
Equipment efficiency below current Title 24 minimums
No load calc or duct design for a new system
AHRI match not provided
Gas, venting, or condensate details missing

The inspection sequence

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

1Rough inspection for new ductwork or refrigerant lines before cover
2HERS verification by a third-party rater where required (separate from city inspection)
3Final inspection with the system installed, charged, and operating

Licensing — who can pull it

HVAC work in California is generally performed by a C-20 (Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning) licensed contractor; a B general contractor may pull it within a larger project under CSLB rules. Many changeouts also require an independent HERS rater — that's separate from the contractor and the city inspector.

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 AC or furnace in California?

Generally yes. An equipment changeout is permitted mechanical work in most California jurisdictions, and it usually triggers Title 24 energy-compliance documentation and sometimes third-party HERS verification. The exact fee and process are set by the city — confirm with the department below.

What is HERS verification and do I need it?

HERS (Home Energy Rating System) verification is independent field verification of certain Title 24 measures — commonly duct leakage and refrigerant charge on changeouts. It's performed by a certified HERS rater, separate from the city inspection. Whether it applies depends on the scope and the energy code.

Does a mini-split install need a permit?

Generally yes — a new ductless mini-split adds equipment, electrical, and refrigerant work and is permitted mechanical (and often electrical) work in California. Confirm the local process with the AHJ below.

Is a thermostat swap permitted?

Usually not — a like-for-like thermostat replacement is generally treated as maintenance across California. This is a general norm, not a guarantee; check the city below.

Other trades in San Francisco

Electrical permits Plumbing 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.

Join the waitlist