Meet the DBI Pros Summit
October 11 & 12, 2007
Isam Hasenin, P.E., C.B.O., Director
Residential Remodels
MEET THE DBI PROS
Introducing the DBI Pros
Building Inspection Division
 Plan Check Services Division
 Plumbing Inspection Division
 Electrical Inspection Division
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2
MEET THE DBI PROS
Purpose of the Session
To understand the permitting process
 To know the players
 To understand permit review options
 To learn vital rules and regulations
 To be aware of available resources
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MEET THE DBI PROS
Audience Survey
MEET THE DBI PROS
Benefits of Getting a Permit
Provide minimum standards for
habitability & fire life safety
 Provide minimum standards for structural
& seismic safety
 Provide minimum standards for energy
conservation
 Provide verification that construction
meets minimum standards of care
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MEET THE DBI PROS
Educate & prepare yourself
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Review DBI printed material & pamphlets
Contact City Planning
Browse DBI website: www.sfgov.org/dbi
Visit the San Francisco Permit Center
Consult a design professional
MEET THE DBI PROS
Possible Types of Permits for
Residential Remodels
Over-The-Counter without plans
 Over-The-Counter with plans
 Plans requiring Intake (Horizontal &
Vertical) with plans
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MEET THE DBI PROS
Possible Over-the-Counter
Permits/Without Plans
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Window Replacement (in-kind)
Skylight Replacement (in-kind)
Repair Stairs & Decks (less than 50%)
Cosmetic Kitchen & Bathroom Remodel
Dry-rot & Termite Repair (in-kind)
Re-roofing
MEET THE DBI PROS
Possible Over-the-Counter
Permits/Without Plans
Possible multiple agency review
 May require electrical, plumbing and/or
mechanical permits even if building permit
is not required
 If scaffolding required in the public way, a
street permit must be obtained
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MEET THE DBI PROS
Possible Over-the-Counter
Permits/With Plans
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Kitchen & Bath Remodel (Structural & Non-structural)
Deck/stairs Repairs (Over 50% or Replacement in-kind)
Rooms Down (adjacent to garage or conversion of nonhabitable space)
Skylight (new)
Foundation Repairs & Upgrades
Typical Retaining Wall (under 10 feet)
Fences (over six feet)
Voluntary Seismic Upgrades
MEET THE DBI PROS
Bathroom Remodel
MEET THE DBI PROS
Kitchen Remodel
MEET THE DBI PROS
Deck Remodel/Addition
MEET THE DBI PROS
Plans Requiring Intake
Horizontal Additions
 Vertical Additions
 Vertical & Horizontal Additions
 New Buildings
 All of the above require City Planning
review, in addition to Architectural,
Structural & Mechanical review. Projects
over $100,000 will need Bureau of Street
& Mapping review
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MEET THE DBI PROS
Horizontal/Vertical Addition
MEET THE DBI PROS
Forms to be used for Building
Permit/Construction process
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Building Form 3/8 (Pink Form)
 Inspection Record Form
 Certificate of Final Completion & Occupancy
 Other Miscellaneous Forms by Central
Permit Bureau
MEET THE DBI PROS
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Minimum
Information on Bldg.
Form 3/8 (pink)
1) Address &
Lot/Block
2) Estimated Cost
of Job
Name & contact info
4) Description of all
Work
5) Signed & Dated
1
2
3
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5
MEET THE DBI PROS
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Job Card will be
issued at the time
of payment of
permit
MEET THE DBI PROS
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Certificate of
Final
Completion &
Occupancy will
be issued at the
time all the work
is satisfactory to
Building
inspector
MEET THE DBI PROS
Building Inspection
General Information
Call (415)558-6096 for Inspections
 90% guaranteed-48 hour response (Try
to call well in advance to insure no
delays to your project)
 Call between 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. to
book your inspection
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MEET THE DBI PROS
Building Inspection
General Information
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To speak directly to an inspector, call
between 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. or 3:00 p.m.4:00 p.m. each weekday
 Inspectors are in the field 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
 To narrow your inspection window within one
hour, call between 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 a.m.
MEET THE DBI PROS
Miscellaneous Requirements
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Contractor Requirements:
CA State Contractors License
S.F. Business Tax Certificate
Workmen’s Comp Certificate
Miscellaneous Permits:
San Francisco School District
CAL-OSHA Safety Permits
Bay Area Air Quality Permits
Transit Impact Development
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Plumbing/Electrical:
C licensed contractors
B licensed contractors
Homeowners
Payments Accepted:
Visa, MasterCard, (No
Discover or American
Express)
Preprinted Checks
Cash
MEET THE DBI PROS
First Inspection
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The Dept. of Building Inspection encourages
a Site Inspection prior to start of work
 Coordination job flow
 Look for potential problems or hazards
 It is mandatory, if there is to be any digging of
soil on your jobsite; DPW requires a
mandatory start work inspection on ALL street
permits
MEET THE DBI PROS
First Inspection
MEET THE DBI PROS
Foundation/Steel
Underpinning/Shoring
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Coordinated by Agent / Contractor
 Building Inspector: Steel/Rebar, bolt in
concrete, form size as approved;
Waterproofing/Dewatering, Minor Special
Inspection/Engineer, Safety (Cal-OSHA),
Shoring & Excavation Adjoining Property
 Electrical: Underground prior to cover (UFA)
 Plumbing: Underground prior to cover
MEET THE DBI PROS
Underpinning & Shoring
MEET THE DBI PROS
Framing Superstructure
Prior to building
 Plumbing, waste & supply (rough),
Electrical (rough)
 Building
 Framing/Superstructure, Mechanical,
Environmental Air, Ducts, & Special
Inspection-Engineer Sign-off
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MEET THE DBI PROS
Framing Superstructures
MEET THE DBI PROS
Insulation – Title 24
Verify waterproofing
 Windows
 Flashing
 Lathing
 Roof Membrane
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MEET THE DBI PROS
Insulation – Title 24
MEET THE DBI PROS
Cover Inspection
Sheetrock
 Fire Assemblies between floors, units &
property lines
 Plumbing-Shower Pans
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MEET THE DBI PROS
Cover Inspection
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Final Inspection
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Plumbing
Electrical
Mechanical
D.P.W.-Sidewalk
B.U.F.-Street Trees
Special Inspection Complete
Building
C.F.C. issued if building envelope enlarged,
change of use, or if work done to correct
violation
MEET THE DBI PROS
Final Inspection
MEET THE DBI PROS
Department of City Planning
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SF Planning Code
Zoning and use districts
Setbacks, yards and heights
Residential Design Guidelines
Historic preservation
MEET THE DBI PROS
Department of City Planning
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Project Review with planners
Pre-Application with neighbors
Planning Commission
Discretionary Review
Maintain good neighborhood character
Proposition M findings
Private views not regulated by DCP
MEET THE DBI PROS
Seismic Upgrade Requirements
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SFBC Sections 3403 & 3405
Substantially alter 2/3 number of stories
Structural alteration
Adding a story
Horizontal addition
Change building use
Change a floor level
MEET THE DBI PROS
Thank you for attending!
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We value you and your opinion
We’re here to help assist you
Our goal is to improve the value of our
services to better serve you
We’ll continue to listen to your priorities
New improvements are on the horizon