Plumbing permits in San Francisco, CA
A plain-English starting point for plumbing 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, water heater replacements, repipes, sewer and water service work, gas lines, and most fixture relocations need a plumbing permit from the local building department, generally pulled by a licensed C-36 contractor. Clearing a stoppage or swapping a faucet/valve like-for-like usually doesn't. The governing code is the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5).
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 plumbing work follows the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5). Water heater replacements, repipes, sewer/water service work, gas lines, and most fixture relocations generally require a permit from the local building department, usually pulled by a licensed C-36 contractor. Document requirements, fees, and inspection scheduling differ by city and are not uniform across the state — verify the specifics with the jurisdiction below.
Code basis
2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24), which applies to permit applications filed on or after per the California Building Standards Commission. Sections checked against the published code; cities may add local amendments.
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) §104.1 — Permits Required: a plumbing permit before installing, altering, repairing, replacing or remodeling a plumbing system; §104.2 (Exempt Work) covers only minor repairs such as stopping leaks and clearing stoppages without replacing or rearranging pipes, valves or fixtures.
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) §105.2 — Required Inspections: rough work is inspected before it is covered (§105.2.1 Uncovering) and again at final; §105.3 covers testing of systems.
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) §502.1 — Water heaters have their own permit section (§502.0 Permits), which is why even a like-for-like changeout is permitted work; §503.2 sets the final water heater inspection.
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) §1213.0 — Pressure Testing, Inspection, and Purging: new or altered gas piping holds the test pressure (§1213.3) before it is concealed or placed in service.
Typically needs a permit
- Water heater replacement
- Repipes
- Sewer line repair
- Fixture and gas line work
Usually doesn't (general norm)
- Clearing a drain stoppage
- Replacing a faucet, supply stop, or trap like-for-like
- Replacing a garbage disposal in the same location
- Minor leak repair on existing pipe with the same material and routing
Documents & plans generally required
- Plumbing permit application
- Contractor license and city registration
- Site/plot plan for sewer, water service, or gas line scope
- Pipe material, sizing, and routing for repipes
- Water heater specs with seismic strapping, T&P, and expansion-tank details
- Gas load calculation and line sizing for new or extended gas piping
Common reasons plumbing applications get bounced
These are general, code-rooted patterns across California — not a San Francisco rejection rate.
- Gas line sizing or load calculation missing or inconsistent
- Water heater submitted without seismic strapping, T&P discharge, or expansion-tank details where required
- Sewer/water service work without a plot plan or backwater-valve detail where applicable
- Repipe scope on the application doesn't match the plan
- No detail on cleanouts, venting, or drainage slope for drainage work
The inspection sequence
A typical order — the number of stops and exact sequence vary by jurisdiction and scope.
- 1Rough inspection (top-out / underground) with piping pressure-tested before cover
- 2Gas test/inspection for new or modified gas piping
- 3Final inspection with fixtures set and tested
Licensing — who can pull it
Plumbing work in California is generally performed by a C-36 (Plumbing) licensed contractor; a B general contractor may pull it within a larger project under CSLB rules. The licensed contractor doing the work typically pulls the permit. Licensing rules are set 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. Full dataset last re-verified .
- 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
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in California?
Generally yes. A water heater changeout is permitted plumbing (and often gas/mechanical) work in most California jurisdictions because it involves gas or electrical connections, venting, seismic strapping, and a T&P/expansion device. The exact fee and inspection process are set by the city — confirm with the department below.
Is a permit required to repipe a house?
Yes, generally — a whole-house or partial repipe changes the water distribution system and requires a plumbing permit and inspection in California. Confirm submittal specifics with the AHJ below.
Does a sewer line replacement need a permit?
Generally yes. Sewer lateral and water service replacement is permitted work in California and often carries additional right-of-way or encroachment requirements set by the city or utility. Confirm with the local department below.
Do I need a permit to clear a drain or swap a faucet?
Usually not — drain clearing and like-for-like faucet or valve replacement are generally treated as maintenance across California. This is a general norm, not a guarantee; check the city below.
Other trades in San Francisco
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