PlainPermit

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Do I need a permit for a shed in San Francisco, CA?

Last verified: · Confidence: high · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.
Depends on your project Confidence: high

No permit only for a small shed: projected roof area under 100 sq ft and no taller than 8 ft. Larger sheds need a permit.

What changes the answer

Note: San Francisco's shed limit (under 100 sq ft) is smaller than the 120 sq ft common elsewhere in California.

Cost

Fee not extracted; see DBI fee schedules. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://www.sf.gov/information/check-if-your-project-needs-permit

Where to apply

San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (PermitSF portal)

Permitting authority: San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI). City and County of San Francisco. Planning Department review may be needed even when DBI does not require a permit, especially for exterior work.

Official sources

“One-story detached accessory buildings or structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, if the projected roof area is less than 100 square feet (9.29 m2) and no taller than 8 feet.”

Source: https://www.sf.gov/information/check-if-your-project-needs-permit

Verified: · Status: verified · Confidence: high

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Other projects in San Francisco

Shed permits in other cities