What is a Mobile Storage Container Permit?
A Mobile Storage Container Permit is required to place a portable storage container (such as a moving or storage pod) on any part of the street or sidewalk. These permits are issued only to authorized container companies, not to the general public. If you're renting a container, your container company will get the permit. See Public Works Code, Article 15, Section 726..
Mobile storage containers are for short-term use by property owners or tenants to load and transport items such as furniture, household or office goods, equipment, materials, and merchandise.
Renting a moving truck instead? If you're using a vehicle on wheels, you don't need this permit. You can reserve curb space through SFMTA's Temporary Signage Program.
PLACEMENT RULES
- In the parking lane. Containers must sit in the roadway, parallel to the curb and level with the street, with the outer edge no more than 8 feet from the curb. They can't take up more than the parking lane in front of the property.
- Parking rules still apply. Containers must follow all parking regulations unless the Director of Public Works grants a written exemption.
- Sidewalk placement requires approval. Containers can't be placed on the sidewalk without the Director's permission.
- Keep a clear path for pedestrians. Sidewalks must keep at least a 4-foot clear path at all times, or 6 feet in commercial or high-foot-traffic areas.
INSURANCE AND BOND REQUIREMENTS FOR OPERATORS
Container companies must file and maintain a performance bond of at least $25,000 with Public Works, and carry at least $2,000,000 in general liability insurance naming the City and County of San Francisco as an additional insured.
REQUIRED PERMITS
Annual permit for container companies
Companies that place mobile storage containers in the public right-of-way must get an annual permit from Public Works. The permit allows the company to place containers on City streets, subject to Public Works Code, Article 15, Section 726.
How to apply
Submit a written request to Public Works that includes:
- Your company or individual name
- Contact information for the permit holder
- Any other items required by Section 726
The annual permit fee must be paid before the permit is issued. See the fee schedule.
Apply no sooner than 15 days before you first plan to place a container on the street.
INDIVIDUAL LOCATION PERMITS
Container companies with an annual permit must also get an individual location permit for each container they place on the street. Only annual permit holders can apply; we don't issue these permits to residents or property owners.
How to apply
Submit a written request to Public Works at least 3 days before the container will be placed. Include:
- Your company name (as the annual permit holder)
- Local contact information for your company
- The proposed container location
- Name and contact information for the property owner or tenant using the container
- Any other information required by Public Works Order No. ___ or other regulations
Fees and time limits
- Daily fee. The individual location permit fee is charged per day of occupancy. See the fee schedule. For permits of 24 hours or less, or for the first 3 days of a longer permit, fees can be paid for each permit or deducted from your deposit.
- 7-day maximum. An individual location permit can't be issued for more than 7 days.
- "No Parking" signs. The property owner must post "No Parking" signs at least 72 hours before the container is placed.
Approval and appeals
The Director of Public Works may approve, conditionally approve, or deny a Mobile Storage Container Permit. Decisions on annual permits can be appealed to the Board of Appeals.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Placement and timing
- Get approval first. No container may be placed in the public right-of-way without prior approval from Public Works.
- No overnight deliveries in residential areas. Containers can't be delivered, placed, or removed in residential areas between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Follow traffic and parking rules. Containers can't be placed in tow-away zones or blue (accessible) parking zones, or block curb ramps, bus stops, or fire hydrants. If your placement can't meet the SFMTA Blue Book requirements, you'll need a Special Traffic Permit from SFMTA.
Container markings
- Reflectors on both ends. Each container needs four red reflectors, each at least 3 inches in diameter: two on each end, one near each side edge. Reflectors must be mounted between 24 and 45 inches above the ground.
- Striped ends. Paint each end completely in alternating diagonal stripes 4 inches wide, in colors approved by Public Works.
- Owner information on both sides. Print the owner's name, address, phone number, and container ID number clearly on both sides of each container.
- Permit number on the ends. Display a valid registration or permit number on either end of the container.
- No advertising. Advertising on containers isn't allowed.
Permit signs
Public Works provides sign templates to each annual permit holder. The permit holder is responsible for filling them out, mounting them, and keeping them posted and legible for the entire permit period.
- Street-facing sign must include:
- Annual permit holder's name
- 24-hour local contact name and phone number
- Name and address of the property owner or tenant renting the container
- Permit start and end dates
- Description of the location occupied
- Annual and individual location permit numbers
- Public Works Street Space hotline number
- Property-facing sign must include the 24-hour local contact name and phone number and the Street Space hotline number.
Security and transport
- Keep containers locked and covered except when items are being loaded or unloaded.
- Cover all contents during transport.
Legal obligations
- Compliance with City law. Once registered, container companies and their agents must comply with the Public Works Code and all other applicable laws.
- Indemnification. By accepting a registration or permit number, the container owner agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City and County of San Francisco and its officers, agents, and employees.
VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
Violations and penalties
Violating these rules may result in a Notice of Violation and fines. Failing to follow any related City regulation may also lead to revocation of your annual and individual location permits.
Violation Penalty Container placed in a restricted traffic zone $1,000 per day and/or cost of removal Container placed on the sidewalk without a permit $1,000 per day and/or cost of removal Container placed without notifying Public Works $1,000 per day Missing registration number $1,000 per day Missing or damaged reflectors or safety striping $1,000 per day Permit sign not posted $100 per day, plus the cost of a 7-day permit
Unpaid fines may result in all of a company's current permits being invalidated.
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REMOVAL OF CONTAINERS
The Director of Public Works can order the immediate removal of a mobile storage container if it's a safety hazard or public nuisance, if it's being used in a way that violates Public Works Code Section 726, or during an emergency.
When notified, the permit holder must remove the container immediately. If they don't, Public Works may remove it, and the permit holder must pay the removal costs. Unpaid costs will be deducted from the permit holder's deposit.
No container can be placed at that location again until the conditions that led to removal have been resolved to the Director's satisfaction.
FEES
Mobile storage container permits are issued on a per-day (per container over three days) basis and include SFMTA meter fees. A processing fee shall be applied to any permit requiring modification. See the fee schedule for updated fees. Any requested permit shall be submitted a minimum of 72 hours in advance of the proposed occupancy.
VIOLATIONS
Violations of Public Works Code may result in the imposition of a financial penalty. Nonconformance to any related City regulation may result in the revocation of the permit. Violations of these requirements may be subject to financial penalties of up to $1,000 per day.
MOBILE STORAGE CONTAINER COMPANIES
The companies listed below are currently the only ones registered with Public Works. Only these companies may apply for individual location mobile storage container permits on behalf of their clients (residents or property owners).
- ABF Freight Systems, Inc. / U-Pack Moving (800) 240-7422 | www.upack.com
- Pack Rat of California LLC Fremont (800) 722-5728 | www.1800packrat.com
- PODS, Inc (877) 770- 7637 | www.pods.com
A new applicant seeking to register their company shall submit a written request no sooner than 15 days prior to initiation of the first occupancy of the public right-of-way with a mobile storage container. The request shall contain the name of the company, local contact information, and any other information specified in department orders or regulations.
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
