Street Improvement

When an application for a permit with DBI includes work that has an impact on the sidewalk, curb and gutter, pavement, or any other facilities in the public right-of-way, Public Works will review the plans and perform an engineering inspection at the location for which permit is issued to determine whether a Street Improvement Permit is needed. When making improvements to the Public Right of Way, you may also consider replacing gray concrete with greenery. Click here to see projects that have included greening, or visit our sidewalk landscaping page for more information.
 

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Public Works may find it necessary to request additional information after initial review of the application.
 

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Complete Street Improvement permit package:  

   • Completed/signed application form 

   • Completed/signed Certificate of Authorized Agent form 

   • Completed/signed Street Improvement Plans – Minimum Standards for Design Review checklist  

2. A fee payable by cash, check or VISA/MC only to SF Public Works. Fee Schedule

3. A ground floor architectural site plan and elevation drawings of each street-facing frontage. 

4. One (1) electronic (PDF) copy of Street Improvement Plans           

CITY STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

• City Standard Specifications and Plans

• Section 204.04 Slope – Unless otherwise specified, the finished surface of the walk shall rise 1/5 inch per foot from curb to the property line. 

• Section 202.01 Concrete Curb – Unless otherwise specified, the nominal specified height of curb measured from gutter to top of curb shall be 6 inches. 

• Standard Residential curb cut – (10’) feet long by (3’) feet wide including (18”) inches for the wings.  If longer than (10’) feet, the Planning Department must approve non-City Standard curb cuts.  Curb cuts 30 feet or longer require an Overwide Driveway Permit from Public Works. 

• Standard ADA curb ramp – Curb Ramp Standard Plans

• Sample Drawing

VOLUNTARY IN-KIND STREET IMPROVEMENT REQUESTS

When a property owner wishes to voluntarily complete work with an impact on the sidewalk, curb and gutter, pavement, or any other facilities in the public right-of-way, a Street Improvement permit will most likely be required. In most cases, when the work is voluntary in nature and not connected to a building permit application or Notice to Repair (NTR), a Street Improvement permit will be subject to the reduced "minimum" application fee as listed on our fee schedule and photographs of sidewalk and curb in lieu of detailed plans with spot elevations are required as long as the repair is in-kind with no grading or other changes proposed and the existing sidewalk grading complies with city standard.

Please note that all Street Improvement work is required to be completed by a Contractor with an A or C-8 license and a $25,000 excavation bond on file with us. We maintain a list of concrete contractors at this link for your convenience.

Street Improvement permits must be issued directly to the contractor doing the work and cannot be issued directly to the homeowner unless they meet the license and bond requirements. Contractors should provide Public Works with a certificate of authorized agent form signed by both themselves and the homeowner when applying for this type of Street Improvement permit.

NOTICE TO REPAIR (NTR) STREET IMPROVEMENT REQUESTS

When a property owner receives a Notice to Repair (NTR) from the City for sidewalk repair also including curb work, a Street Improvement instead of a Sidewalk Repair permit will be required. In most cases, curb repair work under a NTR-related Street Improvement permit will be subject to the reduced application fee as listed on our fee schedule and does not require detailed plans with spot elevations as long as the repair is in-kind with no grading or other changes proposed.

Please note that all Street Improvement work is required to be completed by a Contractor with an A or C-8 license and a $25,000 excavation bond on file with us. We maintain a list of concrete contractors at this link for your convenience.

Street Improvement permits must be issued directly to the contractor doing the work and cannot be issued directly to the homeowner unless they meet the license and bond requirements. To apply for a Street Improvement permit in response to a Notice to Repair (NTR), please complete our online form. After the form is submitted, you will receive an invoice at the email provided or will be contacted if additional information is required.
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information or clarification on any of the permit requirements, please contact us at:
San Francisco Public Works • Bureau of Street-Use & Mapping 
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 300 • San Francisco, CA 94103 
Phone : (628) 271-2000

San Francisco Public Works • Permit Center 
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 200 • San Francisco, CA 94103 • Map

Processing Hours:
• Please visit https://sf.gov/location/permit-center for operating hours of the Permit Center. 
• Closed on official holidays