Get The Turnover

Playbook · San Francisco

When a San Francisco permit runs out

Permit expiration rules are set city by city, so this card covers one city: San Francisco, for applications filed on or after June 21, 2026. If you work somewhere else, find your own city's rule. Don't carry these numbers over.

Up to 730 daysTime to finish review
365 daysIssued permit stays active
180 daysExtension, for a fee
On or after June 21, 2026Applies to applications filed

The whole path at a glance

Flowchart: Filed on or after June 21, 2026? (if not: This card does not cover it: ask DBI); Permit issued within 730 days? (if not: Ask for a 180-day extension before it expires); Keep scheduling inspections; Close to 365 days with no progress? (if not: Passed inspections extend it by 365 days); Final approval: permit is closedFiled on or after June 21,2026?No: Thiscard doesnot coverit: ask DBIYesPermit issued within 730days?No: Ask fora 180-dayextensionbefore itexpiresYesKeep schedulinginspectionsClose to 365 days with noprogress?No: Passedinspectionsextend it by365 daysYesFinal approval: permit isclosed
Every step is explained below, with the official source for each fact.

Step by step

  1. Find out when your application counts as filed

    • San Francisco treats an application as filed once all required documents are provided and the initial payment is made.
    • The timelines on the city's page apply to permit applications filed on or after June 21, 2026. The page does not describe earlier applications, so ask DBI about those.
    Watch out: These numbers are San Francisco's. Other cities use other periods.
    Sources

    sf.gov: Permit Application Timelines, Expiration and Extensions

  2. Get the permit issued within 730 days

    • From filing, you have up to 730 days to complete the review process and obtain your permit. If it is not issued in that time, the application expires.
    • Before the application expires, you can request a 180-day extension for a fee. The page does not state the fee amount.
    Sources

    sf.gov: Permit Application Timelines, Expiration and Extensions

  3. Keep the issued permit active

    • Once issued, the permit remains active for 365 days.
    • To keep it active, continue to schedule inspections, or submit approved site permit addenda if they apply.
    • Per the page, passed inspections, inspections where the inspector finds sufficient progress, approved site permit addenda, and altered site permits extend the expiration date by 365 days.
    Watch out: Work that stalls with no inspection can let the 365 days run out.
    Sources

    sf.gov: Permit Application Timelines, Expiration and Extensions

  4. Request an extension before the permit expires

    • You can ask for a 180-day extension for a fee, and the request has to come before the permit expires.
    • The page does not state the fee. Check with DBI for the current amount.
    Sources

    sf.gov: Permit Application Timelines, Expiration and Extensions

  5. Finish and close the permit

    • When all required inspections are complete and final approval is issued, the permit is finalized and closed.
    Sources

    sf.gov: Permit Application Timelines, Expiration and Extensions

Honest effort and what goes wrong

Mostly calendar discipline: note the filing, issue and last inspection dates, and set a reminder well before each deadline. An extension request is quick compared with reapplying.

Next steps

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Educational only: not legal, tax or financial advice. Source: sf.gov page cited under each step, read October 22, 2026; the rules can change. Picker's Desk isn't affiliated with the City and County of San Francisco. Last checked against the sources October 22, 2026. Spot something out of date? Email roger@pickersdesk.com.