I am looking to remodel a house on Pacific Avenue and I’m worried that it will take months and/or years to get my permits approved by the city. What’s the best way to expedite this process?
Hi David!
Try starting with smaller, more simple project, that may qualify for OTC (over-the-counter) process.
For the bigger, more complicated projects, try to schedule and prepare all necessary plans in advance and apply as soon as you can, to permit everything in before you start.
From “SFBDI”:
Examples of Building Permit work that does not require plans
- Existing Kitchen/Bathroom alterations with no changes to the floor plan
- Existing Window Replacements (Photo samples of new windows required for City Planning)
- Re-roofing existing roof covering materials
- Repairs to exterior siding and existing legally permitted decks
- Termite repairs (Pest Control Report required)
- Replacement of garage doors (Photo required for City Planning)
For more information or questions about the Over the Counter process, please call (415) 558-6456
(city’s number)
regards,
There are permit expeditors, whose sole job is get your project to the forefront, as fast as possible.
How? Many of them have long-standing relationships with people within the building department.
However, great architects or even general contractors too have these relationships with these employees.
SF is actually trying to reform this shadowy industry.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/san-franciscos-permit-expediters-coming-out-of-the-shadows/