San Francisco, CA Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fees due
- Before permit issuance
- Fixture swap exemption
- No drainage/venting change
- Separate fee per class
- Sewers, gas, water
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. 226-25, eff. Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
San Francisco requires a permit and payment of Central Permit Bureau fees before most plumbing work can begin, under the local amendments to the Plumbing Code.
104.5 Permit Fees. Before any permit is issued, the applicant shall pay to the Central Permit Bureau the fees as set forth in Section 110A, Table 1A-C - Plumbing/Mechanical Permit Issuance and Inspection Fees - of the Building Code. The replacement of a plumbing fixture or a gas appliance without a change in drainage, piping or venting shall not require the payment of permit issuance fee. A separate permit issuance fee shall be paid for each class of work, i.e., sewers and drainage, gas and water.
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
Before the Department of Building Inspection issues a plumbing permit, the applicant must pay the Central Permit Bureau the fees set in the Building Code's fee tables. A separate permit issuance fee applies to each class of work: sewers and drainage, gas, and water are billed separately. Replacing a fixture or gas appliance without changing drainage, piping or venting is exempt from the permit issuance fee, but final inspection is withheld until all outstanding fees are paid.
Violations & Fines
Work performed without paying required permit fees can be denied final inspection, and violators are subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 per day plus possible misdemeanor prosecution under Section 106.3 of the Plumbing Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to swap a plumbing fixture in San Francisco?
Who collects San Francisco plumbing permit fees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Francisco
California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California building safety overview
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