Where do you apply for a shed permit in San Francisco?

You can apply through the San Francisco permit portal or contact the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) directly. The links are listed on this page.

Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in San Francisco?

Under California law (Business & Professions Code 7044(a)-(b); Business & Professions Code 7031.5): California exempts an owner from contractor licensing under section 7044 when they personally perform all the work on their own property, or any work they do not perform themselves is done by their own employees paid only wages, and none of the improvements are intended or offered for sale. It also exempts an owner who directly contracts with licensed contractors for each trade, as long as no more than four of the single-family residential structures involved are intended or offered for sale in a calendar year; this route does not apply if the owner instead contracts with a general contractor for the construction. A homeowner may also improve their own principal residence without a license, as long as the work is done before any sale, they have actually resided there for the 12 months before completion, and they have not used this exemption on more than two structures more than once in any three-year period. Selling a self-built structure within one year of completion creates a rebuttable presumption that it was built for sale, which defeats the exemption, and selling five or more structures within a year makes that presumption conclusive. Separately, every city or county that requires a permit must also require the applicant to file a signed statement giving their contractor license number or the basis of their claimed exemption; a false or missing statement carries a civil penalty of up to $500. Confirm how San Francisco applies this before you apply.

California / San Francisco

Shed Permit in San Francisco, California

It depends

Sometimes, depending on the project

Before building a shed over 120 square feet of floor area or over 10 feet high, a second exempt shed on the lot, a shed attached to another building, a shed on a deck or roof deck, or any shed used as habitable space.

Confirmed on official page Verified 30 Oct 2026

Issued bySan Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)

By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources

Quick answer

San Francisco exempts one one-story detached storage shed or playhouse per lot from a building permit if its floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and it is no more than 10 feet high. A larger or taller shed needs a building permit with plans and approval from both Planning and DBI. DBI's FAQ also requires a permit for a second shed on the lot, a shed attached to the house or another structure, a shed on a deck or roof deck, and any shed used as habitable space such as an office or studio.

Typical threshold: one-story detached storage shed or playhouse; a 10-foot height limit also applies.

Who is pulling this permit?

Apply yourself

Apply on the San Francisco permit portal

Hire it out

When a permit is usually needed

What a shed permit costs in San Francisco

Line itemAmountApplies to

shed permitBy formulaBuilding permit fees are valuation-based under Table 1A-A Building Permit Fees ("July 2026", applying "to all building permits issued on and after July 12, 2026"): "The Building Permit Fee is the Plan Review Fee plus the Permit Issuance Fee." For a valuation of $1 to $2,000 the plan review fee is "$181 for the first $500 plus $8.60 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof" and the permit issuance fee is "$206 for the first $500 plus $4 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof"; for $2,001 to $50,000 they are "$310 for the first $2,000 plus $28.35" and "$266 for the first $2,000 plus $8.56" for each additional $1,000.

Fee schedule in forceOfficial scheduleRead 30 Oct 2026. Fees are the jurisdiction’s; we do not mark them up or estimate them.

How San Francisco compares in California

Jurisdiction	Permit needed?	Threshold
Alameda County	It depends	Floor area of a one-story detached tool or storage shed accessory to a house, at which the building permit exemption stops
Contra Costa County	It depends	floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure
Fresno County	It depends	One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses are exempt from a building permit when the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet
Los Angeles	It depends	one-story shed under 120 sq ft and under 12 ft in height with no electrical or plumbing does not require a permit
Los Angeles County	It depends	gross floor area of a one-story detached accessory building; the exemption also requires the height not to exceed 12 feet and the maximum roof projection not to exceed 24 inches
Orange County	It depends	One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, play houses and similar uses are exempt from a building permit only when the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and the structure sits at least 3 feet from the property line and 6 feet from other buildings on the same property
San Franciscothis page	It depends	one-story detached storage shed or playhouse; a 10-foot height limit also applies

Closest shed permit thresholds outside California

Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest San Francisco's 120 sq ft of floor area.

Anne Arundel County, Maryland, one-story detached shed accessory to a residence, average height not over 10 feet; every shed in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and any shed within 3 feet of the house needs a permit

How to apply in San Francisco

In San Francisco, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.

What most shed permit applications include:

For San Francisco, a written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
For San Francisco, a scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).

General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) sets the exact checklist for San Francisco.

Where to apply in San Francisco:

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI)

Permit Center, 49 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (628) 652-3200
Email: dbicustomerservice@sfgov.org

Shed Permit in San Francisco compared with nearby California localities

Locality	Permit needed?	Threshold	What each California schedule says	Verified
San Francisco	It depends	one-story detached storage shed or playhouse; a 10-foot height limit also applies	...Fee is the Plan Review Fee plus the Permit Issuance Fee." For a valuation of $1 to...	30 Oct 2026
Alameda County	It depends	Floor area of a one-story detached tool or storage shed accessory to a house, at which the building permit exemption stops	...and the Schedule B square-foot valuation table, with a stated minimum of '$140.00...	15 Aug 2026
Contra Costa County	It depends	floor area of a one-story detached accessory structure	No shed-specific flat fee is published	15 Aug 2026
Fresno County	It depends	One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses are exempt from a building permit when the floor area is not greater than 120 square feet	...application, not a building permit: 'The cost for the permit will be $153.44 (a...	15 Aug 2026
Los Angeles	It depends	one-story shed under 120 sq ft and under 12 ft in height with no electrical or plumbing does not require a permit	No shed-specific valuation multiplier printed	17 Jun 2026

Inspections and closing out your permit

In San Francisco, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.

Foundation or anchor inspection in San Francisco: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
Frame inspection in San Francisco: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
Final inspection in San Francisco: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
In San Francisco: for a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).

Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the San Francisco permit portal or by phone at (628) 652-3200.

Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.

Your Shed Permit checklist for San Francisco

Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: one-story detached storage shed or playhouse; a 10-foot height limit also applies. Usually needed: Before building a shed over 120 square feet of floor area or over 10 feet high, a second exempt shed on the lot, a shed attached to another building, a shed on a deck or roof deck, or any shed used as habitable space.
Budget the fee. Building permit fees are valuation-based under Table 1A-A Building Permit Fees ("July 2026", applying "to all building permits issued on and after July 12, 2026"): "The Building Permit Fee is the Plan Review Fee plus the Permit Issuance Fee." For a valuation of $1 to $2,000 the plan review fee is "$181 for the first $500 plus $8.60 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof" and the permit issuance fee is "$206 for the first $500 plus $4 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof"; for $2,001 to $50,000 they are "$310 for the first $2,000 plus $28.35" and "$266 for the first $2,000 plus $8.56" for each additional $1,000. Official fee schedule.
Apply. In San Francisco, a residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the San Francisco permit portal.
Keep the office details handy. San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI). Phone: (628) 652-3200. Address: Permit Center, 49 South Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Plan for inspections. In San Francisco, a permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.

Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked 30 Oct 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a shed permit in San Francisco?: San Francisco exempts one one-story detached storage shed or playhouse per lot from a building permit if its floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and it is no more than 10 feet high. A larger or taller shed needs a building permit with plans and approval from both Planning and DBI. DBI's FAQ also requires a permit for a second shed on the lot, a shed attached to the house or another structure, a shed on a deck or roof deck, and any shed used as habitable space such as an office or studio. One-story detached storage shed or playhouse; a 10-foot height limit also applies. Always confirm with the office before starting.
How much does a shed permit cost in San Francisco?: Building permit fees are valuation-based under Table 1A-A Building Permit Fees ("July 2026", applying "to all building permits issued on and after July 12, 2026"): "The Building Permit Fee is the Plan Review Fee plus the Permit Issuance Fee." For a valuation of $1 to $2,000 the plan review fee is "$181 for the first $500 plus $8.60 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof" and the permit issuance fee is "$206 for the first $500 plus $4 for each additional $100 or fraction thereof"; for $2,001 to $50,000 they are "$310 for the first $2,000 plus $28.35" and "$266 for the first $2,000 plus $8.56" for each additional $1,000. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
Where do you apply for a shed permit in San Francisco?: You can apply through the San Francisco permit portal or contact the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) directly. The links are listed on this page.
Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in San Francisco?: Under California law (Business & Professions Code 7044(a)-(b); Business & Professions Code 7031.5): California exempts an owner from contractor licensing under section 7044 when they personally perform all the work on their own property, or any work they do not perform themselves is done by their own employees paid only wages, and none of the improvements are intended or offered for sale. It also exempts an owner who directly contracts with licensed contractors for each trade, as long as no more than four of the single-family residential structures involved are intended or offered for sale in a calendar year; this route does not apply if the owner instead contracts with a general contractor for the construction. A homeowner may also improve their own principal residence without a license, as long as the work is done before any sale, they have actually resided there for the 12 months before completion, and they have not used this exemption on more than two structures more than once in any three-year period. Selling a self-built structure within one year of completion creates a rebuttable presumption that it was built for sale, which defeats the exemption, and selling five or more structures within a year makes that presumption conclusive. Separately, every city or county that requires a permit must also require the applicant to file a signed statement giving their contractor license number or the basis of their claimed exemption; a false or missing statement carries a civil penalty of up to $500. Confirm how San Francisco applies this before you apply.

From the Library

What else needs a permit in San Francisco

Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.

Project	Permit needed?	Threshold	Typical fee
Bathroom Remodel Permit	Permit required	Any size	...(Table 1A-C, "CATEGORY 1P" includes "a single kitchen or bathroom remodel", $290)...
Deck Permit	It depends	height of the deck walking surface above grade	...Fee is the Plan Review Fee plus the Permit Issuance Fee." For a valuation of $1 to...
Electrical Permit	Permit required	Any size	...up to 10,000 sq. ft.": "Up to 10 outlets and/or devices (1 inspection)"...
EV Charger Permit	It depends	Before installing, altering or modifying any part of the electrical system for an EV...	...1 residential wiring applies ("Up to 10 outlets and/or devices (1 inspection)"...
Fence Permit	It depends	fences in a side or rear yard; the figure is 3 feet for a fence in the front yard	...Fee is the Plan Review Fee plus the Permit Issuance Fee." For a valuation of $1 to...
HVAC Permit	Permit required	Any size	...gas appliance (furnace, hydronic heat, heat pump)" "(maximum two inspections)"...
Plumbing Permit	Permit required	Any size	...or a single kitchen or bathroom remodel" "(maximum two inspections)"...
Pool Permit	It depends	prefabricated pools with walls entirely above grade, accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling (Group R-3)	...Fee is the Plan Review Fee plus the Permit Issuance Fee." For a valuation of $1 to...
Roof Replacement Permit	It depends	area reroofed in any 12-month period, with no roof sheathing installed, repaired or removed	DBI's reroofing page: "$514 and up for single-family homes and duplexes." and "$714 and...
Solar Permit	Permit required	Any size	...Installations: "Solar Photovoltaic Systems" "10 KW rating or less"...
Water Heater Permit	Permit required	Any size	the residential single-unit plumbing category is "CATEGORY 1P" at $290 and "CATEGORY...

Shed Permit in other California localities

Everything above, sourced

sf.gov: departments department building inspectionread 30 Oct 2026

sf.gov: Frequently Asked Questions FAQs Storage Sheds Exempt from...read 30 Oct 2026

Code references

National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not San Francisco documents; the office above sets the local rules.

How this shed permit page for San Francisco was verified. 2 official sources: sf.gov, sf.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked 30 Oct 2026 by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI). Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.

Last checked: 30 Oct 2026Report an error on this page

Compare Shed Permit requirements across California localities

Shed permit rules nationwide