General Excavation
WHAT IS A GENERAL EXCAVATION PERMIT?
A General Excavation permit allows a contractor, possessing an appropriate contractor's license, to excavate and restore sidewalk and/or roadway pavement within the public rights of way to install, repair, or replace a utility facility.
General Excavation permits are issued for excavation work to provide utility service to an individual property. General Excavation permits cannot be issued for excavation projects related to a utility company’s own facility or a government contract. Excavation under these categories must be reviewed under a Utility Excavation permit.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A NEW PERMIT APPLICATION
Submit the following to San Francisco Public Works, Bureau of Street-Use and Mapping.
Permit Application. Submit a signed and completed permit application form.
Plan. One (1) set of drawings showing the full scope of the proposed excavation. NOTE: A hand-drawn plan or sketch on the application form (in lieu of a computer-generated drawing) may be submitted if the scope of work is sidewalk work only connected to a SFDBI plumbing or electrical permit as described in the “APPLICATIONS FOR SIDEWALK RESTORATION DUE TO INSTALLATION OF UTILITIES PERMITTED THROUGH SFDBI” section below.
Letter of Authorization. A letter of authorization from the subject utility company allowing the applicant/contractor as the trenching agent. NOTE: The letter of authorization requirement may be waived if the scope of work is sidewalk work only connected to a SFDBI plumbing or electrical permit as described in the “APPLICATIONS FOR SIDEWALK RESTORATION DUE TO INSTALLATION OF UTILITIES PERMITTED THROUGH SFDBI” section below.
Permit Application Fee. See the San Francisco Public Works Fee Schedule. In the majority of cases, the permit fee is calculated by adding the administrative fee and inspection fees together, along with any other supplemental fees such as Street Space fees for right-of-way occupancy and no-parking signs.
PERMITTEE REQUIREMENTS
The Permittee shall have a certificate of liability insurance on file with BSM.
The applicant must maintain a current Business Tax Registration Certificate issued by the City and County of San Francisco Tax Collector’s Office pursuant to Section 1003 of Part III of the San Francisco Municipal Code.
The Permittee shall file and maintain a Street Excavation Bond with a minimum amount of $25,000.00 with the Department of Public Works, to guarantee the maintenance of the pavement in the trench and roadway area for a period of 3 years following the completion of the backfill and pavement restoration pursuant to Article 2.4 of the Public Works Code.
All restoration shall be performed per Article 2.4 of the Public Works Code and DPW Order 187,005. All work including sidewalk and pavement cutting and removal, lagging, excavation, backfill, and sidewalk and pavement restoration shall be done by a licensed paving contractor and in accordance with the requirements of the Standard Specifications of the Bureau of Engineering, Department of Public Works, July 1986 Edition, Department of Public Works Order Nos. 135,595, 135,596, 176,707 and Board of Supervisors’ Ordinance #131-07.
NEW TOW-AWAY SIGN PROCEDURE
Tow-Away Signs that are issued as part of a General Excavation permit must be registered through SFMTA. After you have received an approved permit with tow-away signs, you may register your signs using the instructions here.
You may also learn more regarding the tow-away sign issuance and activation process in the links below:
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The Permittee shall call Underground Service Alert (U.S.A.), telephone number 8-1-1, 72 hours prior to any excavation.
The Permittee shall verify the locations of any City or public service utility company facilities that may be affected by the work authorized by this permit and shall assume all responsibility for any damage to such facilities. The Permittee shall make satisfactory arrangements and payments for any necessary temporary relocation of City or public utility company facilities.
The Permittee shall follow all SFMTA Blue Book requirements.
The Permittee shall schedule an inspection at least 10 days prior to beginning work by telephoning 628-271-2000 or by email at dpw-bsminspects@sfdpw.org.
The Permittee shall abide by DPW Order 183621 - Trench Restoration Order – “Rules and regulations that would be implemented in the case of a catastrophic emergency within the City and County of San Francisco.”
APPLICATIONS FOR SIDEWALK RESTORATION DUE TO INSTALLATION OF UTILITIES PERMITTED THROUGH SFDBI
Contractors installing a portion of utilities in the public right-of-way permitted through the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (SFDBI) and restoring sidewalk are currently required to obtain a General Excavation permit from our office. Such utility work and restoration are not allowed to be completed under a Voluntary Sidewalk Repair/Street Space permit, as General Excavation permits allow for our Inspection Division to ensure that trench backfilling and sidewalk restoration is completed properly.
Applicants applying for a General Excavation permit under this classification should complete a General Excavation application and also provide a copy of their SFDBI Plumbing or Electrical permit for the associated work. When applying for a General Excavation permit under this classification, a reduced inspection fee will typically apply. Contractors with a Class A (or applicable specialty contractor license) and $25,000 bond on file with us are preferred but not required as long as the utility work is entirely within the sidewalk and no curb or pavement will be disturbed.
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
Mission
San Francisco Public Works is one of the largest and most complex municipal operations in the City, with a 1,600-member workforce and a $384 million annual operating budget. The department's active capital project portfolio exceeds $3 billion. As one of San Francisco oldest City departments, it is also one of the most forward-thinking. Keeping San Francisco beautiful, safe and sustainable.
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