WHAT IS A GENERAL EXCAVATION PERMIT?
A General Excavation Permit allows a licensed contractor to dig up and restore sidewalk or roadway pavement in the public right-of-way to install, repair, or replace a utility connection for an individual property, such as a water, sewer, or gas line.
This permit doesn't cover work on a utility company's own facilities or work done under a government contract. For those projects, apply for a Utility Excavation Permit.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit the following to Public Works Permits:
- Application form. A completed and signed General Excavation Permit application.
- Plan drawing. One set of drawings showing the full scope of the excavation.
- Letter of authorization. A letter from the utility company authorizing you (the contractor) to trench on its behalf.
- Application fee. Fees usually include an administrative fee and inspection fees, plus any additional fees that apply, such as Street Space fees for using the right-of-way or posting no-parking signs. See the Public Works fee schedule.
Sidewalk-only work tied to a DBI permit: If your work is limited to the sidewalk and connected to a Department of Building Inspection (DBI) plumbing or electrical permit, you can submit a hand-drawn sketch instead of a computer-generated plan, and the letter of authorization may be waived. See Sidewalk restoration for DBI-permitted utility work below.
PERMIT HOLDER REQUIREMENTS
- Proof of liability insurance. A certificate of liability insurance must be on file with the Bureau of Street Use and Mapping (BSM).
- A current Business Tax Registration Certificate from the San Francisco Treasurer & Tax Collector.
- A Street Excavation Bond of at least $25,000. The bond, filed with Public Works, guarantees maintenance of the pavement in the trench and roadway for 3 years after backfill and restoration are complete, as required by Article 2.4 of the Public Works Code.
Restoration requirements
All restoration must follow Article 2.4 of the Public Works Code and Public Works Order No. 187,005.
A licensed paving contractor must perform all work, including cutting and removing sidewalk and pavement, lagging, excavation, backfill, and restoration. Work must meet the Public Works Bureau of Engineering Standard Specifications (July 1986 edition), Public Works Order Nos. 135,595, 135,596, and 176,707, and Board of Supervisors Ordinance No. 131-07.
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 about tow-away sign issuance and activation in the links below:
BEFORE AND DURING WORK
- Call 811 before you dig. Contact Underground Service Alert (USA North) at 811 at least 72 hours before any excavation.
- Verify utility locations. Confirm where any City or utility company facilities are located near your work. You're responsible for any damage to them, and for arranging and paying for any temporary relocation they need.
- Follow SFMTA rules. All work must meet the SFMTA Blue Book requirements.
- Schedule an inspection at least 10 days before starting work. Call 628-271-2000 or email dpw-bsminspects@sfdpw.org.
- Follow emergency trench restoration rules. Public Works Order No. 183,621 sets the rules that apply if a catastrophic emergency occurs in San Francisco.
SIDEWALK RESTORATION FOR DBI-PERMITTED UTILITIES WORK
If you're installing part of a utility line in the sidewalk under a Department of Building Inspection (DBI) plumbing or electrical permit, you'll also need a General Excavation Permit from Public Works to restore the sidewalk. This work can't be done under a Voluntary Sidewalk Repair or Street Space Permit, because the General Excavation Permit lets our inspectors confirm the trench is backfilled and the sidewalk is restored correctly.
To apply, submit a General Excavation application along with a copy of your DBI plumbing or electrical permit. A reduced inspection fee usually applies.
If the work stays entirely within the sidewalk and doesn't disturb the curb or roadway, you don't need a Class A (or applicable specialty) contractor license or a $25,000 bond on file with Public Works, though they are preferred.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information or clarification on any of the permit requirements, please contact us at:
San Francisco Public Works • Permits
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 300 • San Francisco, CA 94103
Email: PublicWorksPermits@sfdpw.org 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
