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 panel upgrade permits in San Francisco, CA

General California guidance last updated May 22, 2026 · San Francisco data verified August 9, 2026

What electrical contractors need to know about pulling a electrical panel upgrade permit in San Francisco (San Francisco County).

Short answer

In California, an electrical service or panel upgrade always needs an electrical permit and an inspection, and almost always requires utility coordination for the temporary disconnect. It is pulled by a licensed C-10 contractor under the California Electrical Code (Title 24, Part 3). Common drivers: EV chargers, heat pumps, solar/battery, ADUs, and replacing legacy/recalled panels (Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Pushmatic).

San Francisco accepts submittal through the Permit Services at DBI (online permits and tracking) and has adopted the SF Building Code (2025 edition, amending the 2025 California Building Code). Fee details and sources are below.

San Francisco permit data

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

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/

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

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

The general picture in California

A panel upgrade changes the building's electrical service — bumping the amperage (typically 100A → 200A, sometimes 225/400A), replacing the panel and meter, and often re-pulling the service lateral or mast. Because the work touches utility infrastructure and the main overcurrent device, it requires an electrical permit, a load calculation, a single-line diagram, and coordination with the utility for power-cut and reconnect. Grounding and bonding must meet the current code cycle (often a new ground-rod system in addition to the UFER), and AFCI/GFCI updates may be required on circuits being touched or extended.

For deeper background that isn't San Francisco-specific, see the statewide electrical panel upgrade guide.

Typically needs a permit

Electrical panel upgrade itself triggers a permit in nearly every California jurisdiction, San Francisco included. San Francisco-specific variations are confirmed with the issuing department above.

Usually doesn't (general norm)

Replacing a single breaker for one of the same type and rating
Tightening lugs or replacing a feeder bus cover (maintenance, not modification)
Re-labeling the panel directory

Documents & plans generally required

Electrical permit application
Contractor license and city business registration
Load calculation per NEC Article 220 (existing load + new loads)
Single-line diagram showing the new service size, meter, panel, main breaker, and grounding-electrode system
Site plan with panel/meter location and the service drop or lateral route
Cut sheet for the new panel (listing, AIC rating, bus rating, number of spaces)
Utility coordination forms (PG&E, SCE, LADWP, SDG&E — varies by service area)

Common reasons electrical panel upgrade applications get bounced

Code-rooted patterns across California — not a San Francisco-specific rejection rate.

Load calculation missing, incomplete, or not matching the proposed service size
No single-line diagram, or the diagram doesn't reflect the proposed work
Grounding/bonding details missing (UFER + supplemental ground rods, bonding jumpers)
AIC rating of the new equipment not coordinated with the utility's available fault current
Service-conductor sizing not matching the new main breaker
Working clearances around the panel not shown (NEC 110.26)

The inspection sequence

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

1Rough/service inspection before energization, with the panel set and grounding visible
2Utility coordination for temporary disconnect, meter pull, and reconnect
3Final inspection with the panel labeled, all circuits identified, and the service energized

Licensing — who can pull it

Panel and service upgrades in California are performed by a C-10 (Electrical) licensed contractor; a B (General Building) contractor may pull within a larger project under CSLB rules. The licensed contractor pulling the permit typically also coordinates the utility cut and reconnect.

Other verified San Francisco 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

Frequently asked questions

When does California require a panel upgrade?

When the load calculation shows the existing service can't carry the new connected load — most often triggered by EV chargers, heat pumps, solar/battery, ADUs, or replacing a recalled panel brand (Federal Pacific, Zinsco). The upgrade is permitted as a single project even when it bundles multiple drivers.

Do I need to coordinate with the utility?

Yes — service upgrades require utility coordination for the temporary disconnect, meter pull, and reconnect. PG&E, SCE, LADWP, and SDG&E each have their own application and lead time; the contractor typically handles this in parallel with the city permit.

Can I keep the same panel location?

Generally yes, if the location still meets NEC 110.26 working clearances and the meter remains accessible to the utility. Moving the panel can simplify the install or be required when the existing location is non-compliant.

Does the panel upgrade trigger AFCI/GFCI updates on existing circuits?

Generally only the circuits being touched, extended, or replaced have to meet the current code cycle's AFCI/GFCI rules — existing circuits left in place are usually grandfathered. Some jurisdictions are stricter on this; confirm with the city.

Other jobs in San Francisco

AC changeout Battery storage EV charger install All San Francisco permits All California jobs

Want getPermit to map San Francisco in depth?

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