What is a Street Improvement Permit?
A Street Improvement Permit may be required for work on sidewalk grading, curbs, curb ramps, gutters, driveway curb cuts, or the roadway. For repairs to the sidewalk surface only, see Voluntary Sidewalk Repair.
When Public Works determines you need one
If your Department of Building Inspection (DBI) permit includes work that affects the sidewalk, curb, gutter, pavement, or other facilities in the public right-of-way, Public Works will review your plans and inspect the site to determine whether you need a Street Improvement Permit.
Types of requests
- Voluntary, in-kind repair. You choose to repair work within the Street Improvement scope without changing the sidewalk's design.
- Notice to Repair (NTR). You're responding to a Notice to Repair from Public Works.
Contractor requirements
Street Improvement Permits are issued directly to the contractor doing the work. Your contractor must have:
- A California contractor's license, Class A or C-8
- A $25,000 Street Excavation Bond on file with Public Works (required because replacing a curb involves excavating the roadway)
We can't process or issue a permit without a licensed, bonded contractor. See this list of concrete contractors, provided for convenience only; it isn't a recommendation.
Sidewalks over basements or other encroachments
If you're repairing sidewalk above or next to a sub-sidewalk basement or other encroachment, you'll need both a Street Improvement Permit and a Minor Sidewalk Encroachment Permit. Fees include:
- Street Improvement Permit base fee
- Minor Sidewalk Encroachment processing fee (existing encroachments only)
- Board of Appeals surcharge
- Annual assessment fee
If the basement needs structural work or upgrades, apply for a DBI building permit first, before applying for the Street Improvement and Minor Sidewalk Encroachment Permits.
Consider adding greenery
When improving the sidewalk, you can replace some concrete with plants. See examples of greening projects or learn about Sidewalk Landscaping Permits.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Public Works may find it necessary to request additional information after initial review of the application.
WHAT TO SUBMIT
Street Improvement Permit application package, including:
- Completed and signed application form
- Completed and signed Certificate of Authorized Agent
- Completed and signed Street Improvement Plans – Minimum Standards for Design Review checklist
- Street Improvement Plans (one PDF copy). Follow the Minimum Standards for Design Review checklist in the application package.
- Architectural drawings, including a ground-floor site plan and elevation drawings of each street-facing side of the property.
- Permit fee. The base fee covers processing, at least 2 hours of inspection, and a Board of Appeals surcharge. Additional inspection time may cost more. See the fee schedule. Pay SF Public Works by cash, check, Visa, or Mastercard.
Changes and expiration. Changes to an approved permit are subject to additional fees. Expired permits are void.
Electronic copies (PDF) of the application materials may be sent to: PublicWorksPermits@sfdpw.org
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
- Installation of any non-standard sidewalk conditions may require a Minor Sidewalk Encroachment permit.
VOLUNTARY IN-KIND REPAIRS
If you're choosing to repair your curb, sidewalk grading, or other right-of-way features on your own, you'll likely still need a Street Improvement Permit. But if your project qualifies as a voluntary in-kind repair, the process is simpler: you'll pay the reduced minimum application fee (see the fee schedule) and can submit photos of the sidewalk and curb instead of detailed plans with spot elevations.
Your project qualifies if:
- It isn't connected to a building permit or a Notice to Repair
- You're replacing features in kind, with no grading or design changes
- The existing sidewalk grading meets City standards
Who applies
As with all Street Improvement work, the permit must be issued to a contractor with a Class A or C-8 license and a $25,000 excavation bond on file with Public Works. Homeowners can only apply directly if they meet those same requirements. See our list of concrete contractors.
When applying, your contractor should submit a Certificate of Authorized Agent signed by both the contractor and the homeowner.
NOTICE TO REPAIR (NTR) REQUESTS
If you've received a Notice to Repair from Public Works and the required repairs include curb work, you'll need a Street Improvement Permit instead of a Sidewalk Repair Permit.
If the curb repair is in kind, with no grading or design changes, you'll usually pay the reduced application fee (see the fee schedule) and won't need detailed plans with spot elevations.
Who applies
As with all Street Improvement work, the permit must be issued to a contractor with a Class A or C-8 license and a $25,000 excavation bond on file with Public Works. Homeowners can only apply directly if they meet those same requirements. See our list of concrete contractors.
How to apply
Complete our online NTR Street Improvement form. After you submit it, you'll receive an invoice by email, or we'll contact you if we need more information.
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
