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San Francisco, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
SF Building Code § 106A.2(13)
Exempt threshold
Under 25% of roof, no sheathing work
Permit required
Sheathing work or over 25% resurfaced
Issuing agency
Dept. of Building Inspection

Summary

San Francisco requires a building permit for reroofing work once it involves roof sheathing or covers more than 25 percent of the roof in any 12-month period, per Building Code Section 106A.2.

106A.2 Work exempt from permit... A building permit shall not be required for the following: ... 13. Reroofing without the installation, repair or removal of roof sheathing, if the total surface area of the roof reroofed in any 12-month period does not exceed 25 percent of the entire surface area of the roof.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).

Full Breakdown

San Francisco Building Code Section 106A.2 lists the work exempt from the City's general building permit requirement. Item 13 exempts reroofing only when the job does not touch roof sheathing and the resurfaced area stays under 25 percent of the total roof surface within a rolling 12-month period. Any reroofing job that removes or repairs sheathing, or that exceeds the 25 percent threshold when combined with other reroofing done in the prior year, requires a building permit issued by the Department of Building Inspection before work starts.

Violations & Fines

Reroofing without a required permit is unpermitted work under the Building Code, subject to stop-work orders, permit fees, and code enforcement penalties from the Department of Building Inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to reroof my house in San Francisco?
Only if the job involves roof sheathing work or covers more than 25 percent of the roof surface in a 12-month period; smaller surface-only reroofing jobs are exempt under Building Code Section 106A.2.
What counts as sheathing work that triggers a roofing permit?
Installing, repairing, or removing roof sheathing during a reroof always requires a building permit, regardless of how much of the roof surface is affected.

Sources & Official References

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All San Francisco rules

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