PermitSF: One Year In — What's Actually Changed

In our last two articles, we tracked Mayor Lurie's first 100 days (entertainment permits, conditional use approvals, amnesty for signs and awnings, temporary uses, sidewalk rules, and downtown zoning) and the 200-day sprint (ventilation standards, slope protection, driveway parking, ADUs, historic buildings, and more). All of those ordinances are now signed and in effect.

So where does PermitSF stand one year in?

The big news: an online portal is finally live.

The most visible milestone arrived in February 2026: San Francisco launched its first online permitting portal. For the first time, you can apply for certain permits completely online, which means no trips to the Permit Center, no paper plans, no waiting in line.

Right now, the portal handles five permit types:

• Door Replacement

• Window Replacement

• Exterior Siding Replacement

• Fire Alarm Permits

• Fire Sprinkler Permits

And, they’re working toward online permit support for special events, providing more information about the process. You can submit, pay, and track your application from your computer. The city plans to expand to more types in April 2026, including additional fire permits, residential remodels, and business signage. More complex projects will take longer to come online.

A note worth knowing: the OpenGov contract has been controversial. The mayor's office awarded the $5.9 million deal to OpenGov even though reporting has turned over a potential conflict of interest. We have the inside scoop directly from City Planning on this, though. The software vendor they selected was chosen specifically because they provided all the features, as well as ongoing support and continued development improvements. Still, the court of public opinion shone a spotlight on the choice. Mayor Lurie has stood behind the decision and committed to publishing weekly progress reports on the rollout. The portal launched on schedule in February, which critics had initially doubted.

Everything from the 100 and 200-day sprints is now law

• For small businesses and storefronts: No permit or fee needed for sidewalk café tables and chairs (saves up to $2,500). No permit to put your business name on your window or façade. Existing unpermitted awnings, signs, and gates can be legalized through an amnesty process. Temporary pop-up retail can now operate for up to 3 years instead of 60 days, and no public hearing is required to get started.

• For property owners: You can park in your own driveway without getting a planning violation or being required to install fencing. (Blocking the sidewalk for pedestrians is still not allowed.) Historic buildings have more flexibility to bring in tenants. Additions on steep lots are cheaper because the Slope Protection Act has been simplified.

• For housing: ADU rules are now aligned with state law, making it easier and cheaper to build. Basement units in neighborhood commercial corridors no longer require a conditional use hearing. Office-to-residential conversions are more affordable in more parts of the city.

• For downtown: Office tenants, business services, and design firms can now occupy ground-floor storefronts in downtown (C-3) districts (through 2030), which should help fill vacant spaces. More entertainment venues can get permits faster, with fewer inter-department referrals.

What's still missing

Progress is real, but the system isn't fixed yet.

• The portal covers only a fraction of permit types today. Larger remodels, change-of-use projects, and new construction are still handled through older systems with familiar slower timelines.

• Timelines are improving but not guaranteed. The city has set performance targets and "shot clocks" for some permit types, which is a meaningful step. But those clocks aren't yet enforced across the board, and complex projects can still move unpredictably.

• Behind the scenes, departments still run on different software. OpenGov is meant to unify everything, but that's a multi-year project. In the meantime, don't be surprised by conflicting comments or duplicate requests on more complex applications.

What this means for you right now

Use the portal when your project fits one of the supported permit types - you'll save real time and money. For everything else, expect a transition period of one to three years as more permits come online and the city works to integrate its departments. For major projects, keep an eye on announced timeline changes and fee updates, because they'll affect your planning.

And as always, Property Atlas is the easiest way to get permit updates and notifications across all city systems, automated and in real-time, so you don't have to dig through the city's website to stay informed.

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