SF Dept of Building Inspection (DBI)
San Francisco, CA
Avg Review
40d
Rejection Rate
68%
Skill Files
8
Status
High Risk
Ventilation — SFBC/CMC Type I Hood
SFBC/CMC §507 / NFPA 96 / SF Housing CodeType I hood per SFBC (based on CMC) §507. SF amendments require additional setbacks for exhaust terminations from adjacent residential windows (25 feet per SFBC). Makeup air with conditioning required. SF Planning may require conditional use permit for commercial kitchen exhaust in certain zoning districts.
Examiner Note: SF DBI checks rooftop exhaust setbacks from residential windows strictly — 25-foot minimum is greater than base CMC. SF Planning review may be required before DBI permit — verify zoning early.
Common rejection: Exhaust termination within 25 feet of residential window; SF Planning conditional use not obtained for kitchen exhaust
Correction: Verify exhaust termination setback from residential windows (25 feet per SFBC). Check with SF Planning for conditional use requirement in project's zoning district. Show setback dimensions on roof plan.
Fire — SFFD Suppression & Sprinkler
CFC / NFPA 96 / SFFD Administrative BulletinUL 300 system required per CFC. SFFD reviews fire protection plans separately from DBI. Automatic sprinkler per CFC 903.2. SFFD requires fire watch during hot work. SFFD Administrative Bulletins may impose additional requirements specific to commercial cooking — check current bulletins. Fire alarm with SFFD radio box connection.
Examiner Note: SFFD review is separate from DBI — submit early (3-4 week turnaround). SFFD requires radio box connection (not just monitoring). Check SFFD Administrative Bulletins for current commercial cooking requirements.
Common rejection: SFFD radio box not specified; SFFD plan review not initiated; current administrative bulletins not referenced
Correction: Submit fire plans to SFFD immediately (allow 3-4 weeks). Specify SFFD radio box connection on FP-1. Review current SFFD Administrative Bulletins for commercial cooking. Include K-class extinguisher locations.
Plumbing — CPC & SF PUC Grease Requirements
CPC §1014 / SFPUC Industrial Waste OrdinanceGrease interceptor per CPC §1014. SFPUC Industrial Waste division enforces FOG requirements — separate pretreatment permit required. Minimum 1,000 gallon external interceptor. SF requires grease interceptor maintenance plan filed with SFPUC. 3-compartment sink, handwash within 25 feet. Backflow prevention per CPC §603. Water-efficient fixtures per SF Water Code.
Examiner Note: SFPUC pretreatment permit for FOG is a prerequisite for DBI plumbing permit. Submit to SFPUC before DBI. SF also requires water-efficient fixtures (SF Green Building Code).
Common rejection: SFPUC pretreatment permit not obtained; grease interceptor maintenance plan not filed; water-efficient fixtures not specified
Correction: Obtain SFPUC FOG pretreatment permit before DBI plumbing filing. File grease interceptor maintenance plan. Specify water-efficient fixtures per SF Green Building Code on P-1.
Electrical — CEC & SF Amendments
2022 CEC / SFBC Electrical amendments / SF Environment CodeCEC applies with SF amendments. Minimum 200A service per bay. GFCI within 6 feet of water. SF Environment Code may require electric-ready or all-electric kitchen (no gas) in new construction — verify current ordinance. Solar-ready and EV-ready provisions may apply. Panel schedule required.
Examiner Note: SF has been moving toward all-electric requirements for new food service. Verify current SF Environment Code and Building Electrification Ordinance applicability. PG&E coordination for service upgrades.
Common rejection: All-electric requirement not addressed for new construction; PG&E service upgrade not coordinated; panel schedule missing
Correction: Verify SF Building Electrification Ordinance applicability. If all-electric required, specify electric cooking equipment and panel capacity. Coordinate with PG&E for service upgrade. Provide panel schedule on E-1.
Health — SF DPH Environmental Health
SF Health Code Art 8 / CalCode §114130 / SF DPHSF Dept of Public Health (DPH) Environmental Health reviews food facility plans. CalCode applies with SF-specific requirements. Handwash within 25 feet. 3-compartment sink. FRP/SS behind cooking. Sealed floors, coved base. SF DPH is strict on vermin-proofing due to urban environment. Grease hood drip trays must be shown. Adequate cold storage.
Examiner Note: SF DPH review is separate from DBI — submit food facility plans to DPH before DBI approval. DPH takes 3-4 weeks. Very strict on vermin-proofing and exhaust system coverage.
Common rejection: DPH plan review not completed before DBI; vermin-proofing insufficient; exhaust hood coverage does not extend to all cooking equipment
Correction: Submit to SF DPH Environmental Health before DBI permit (allow 3-4 weeks). Add vermin-proofing details on A-1. Verify hood coverage extends to all cooking equipment per CalCode §114149.1.
Structural — Seismic (SDC D/E)
SFBC/CBC §1613 / ASCE 7-16 Ch 12 / ATC-20San Francisco is Seismic Design Category D or E. All structural modifications require seismic evaluation per CBC §1613. Equipment anchorage per ASCE 7-16 Chapter 13 for all items over 400 lbs. Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings require mandatory retrofit per SF Building Code. Non-structural seismic bracing for MEP systems. CA-licensed SE required for seismic calcs.
Examiner Note: SF DBI structural review is thorough — CA-licensed SE stamp required (not just PE). Non-structural seismic bracing for all MEP above 20 lbs often missed. URM retrofit status must be verified.
Common rejection: Non-structural seismic bracing not shown for MEP systems; structural calcs not by CA SE; URM retrofit status unknown
Correction: Provide CA SE-stamped seismic calculations. Show non-structural seismic bracing for all MEP systems per ASCE 7-16 Chapter 13. Verify URM retrofit compliance. Include equipment anchorage details on S-1.
ADA — SF Accessibility (CBC 11B + SF amendments)
CBC 11B / SFBC amendments / 2010 ADACBC 11B accessibility applies with SF amendments. Accessible route 36-inch minimum. Accessible restroom. SF requires enhanced accessibility beyond CBC 11B in some situations. Existing building renovations: path-of-travel upgrades triggered by 20% rule per CBC 11B-202.4. Accessible parking per CBC 11B-502.
Examiner Note: SF DBI accessibility reviewers are thorough. CBC 11B 20% path-of-travel trigger is strictly applied. Include cost estimate and path-of-travel analysis with permit application.
Common rejection: Path-of-travel analysis not submitted with application; 20% cost calculation not provided
Correction: Submit path-of-travel analysis and cost calculation with DBI application. Show required accessibility upgrades per CBC 11B-202.4 20% rule. Dimension accessible route and restroom on A-1.
Egress — SFBC Exit Requirements
SFBC/CBC §1006 / §1017 / §1013CBC/SFBC egress requirements. Two exits when occupant load exceeds 49. Travel distance per CBC 1017. Exit signs per CBC 1013. SF amendments may require additional egress provisions in certain occupancy types. Occupant load calculation required. SFFD reviews egress separately.
Examiner Note: SF DBI and SFFD both review egress — ensure consistency between architectural plans and fire plans. Occupant load calculation must match between both submittals.
Common rejection: Occupant load mismatch between DBI and SFFD submittals; exit signs not on emergency power
Correction: Ensure consistent occupant load calculation on both DBI and SFFD submittals. Show exit signs on emergency power on RCP/E-1. Dimension travel distance on egress plan.