South San Francisco, CA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

applies within City of South San Francisco limits; the County of San Mateo handles permits for unincorporated county land (separate jurisdiction).

Department

City of South San Francisco, Building Division

Address

315 Maple Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080 (Permit Center) and 400 Grand Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080 (City contact)

Phone

(650) 829-6670 (Building Division), (650) 877-8500

Email

web-ecd@ssf.net (Planning Division contact listed on Permit Center page) and building@ssf.net

Website

https://www.ssfca.gov/Departments/Economic-and-Community-Development/Divisions/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Prepare permit application and technical documentation from Building Division requirements.
2. File through the Online Permitting Center at permits.ssf.net.
3. If plan check comments are issued, correct and respond to all comments (city states applicants should not resubmit until all comments are returned).
4. Receive approval after plan review and then begin construction.

Typical processing time: The Building Division pages do not publish a general permit turnaround time. The Planning Division design-review process form states planning applications are reviewed for completeness within 30 days (if planning review is required).

Source: City of South San Francisco, Building Division

General Requirements

permits are required for most building work, including new construction, alterations, repairs, removals, conversion, or demolition.

Required Documents

• completed permit application, plan check application, and corresponding plans/spec drawings
• in general, plans can be reviewed online and permit staff are available to confirm missing materials.

Permit validity

the permit expires if work is not started in 180 days, if abandoned, or if no inspection occurs for more than 180 days.

Building code

City references California Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, Residential, and Energy Codes as part of the technical-code framework.

Owner-builder

owner-builder declarations are recognized; owner-builders are subject to state contractor-law limitations and exemptions.

Contractor requirements

contractors must have appropriate California contractor licensing for permit scope; the city also notes a business license requirement for compensated permit applicants.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

single-family permit table has valuation-based minimum tiering; entry tier shown at $0�$500.

Plan check fee

plan check components are included with permit line items in the same fee schedule.

Permit fee formula

building permit fees are listed by valuation bands; several line items include fixed-permit and additional-per-$1000/$1000-plus increments.

Reinspection fee

line-item fees exist for inspections and corrections; cancellation/missed items apply; additional fees may apply via fee schedule items.

Payment note

permit fees are paid during permit workflow; credit-card convenience fee appears in the municipal fee schedule (2.20%).

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• - Detached accessory sheds/playhouses/storage structures up to 120 sq ft - Fences under 6 ft - Retaining walls under 4 ft (unless surcharge condition) - Sidewalks and driveways - Minor finish work (painting/papering, flooring/carpeting/cabinets) - Certain specified minor electrical, plumbing, and mechanical tasks

Important: an exempted building item can still require permitting in another discipline or approval stream; planning and public works may still apply.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online Permitting Center (online)

Inspection hours

Permit Center office is 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon�Fri, closed 12�1 p.m.; permit print copy states construction access limited to 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; certain holidays are restricted.

Typical inspection sequence: inspections are required for work performed under issued permits and permit records must remain on-site and accessible.

Additional Resources

• Building code: City references California Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, Residential, and Energy Codes as part of the technical-code framework.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Planning Applications Guidelines And Fees
• Plan Submittal Permit Requirements
• Building Codes
• Helpful Handouts Links
• Building Inspections
• zoning.ssf.net
• License lookup guide: California Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: California Homeowner-Contractor Agreement

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