SF DBI permit types explained — OTC, additions/alterations, new construction

A practical guide for reading San Francisco DBI permit filings · Updated April 2026

San Francisco's Department of Building Inspection issues every permit under one of nine standardized permit types. The type field (permit_type_definition in DataSF's i98e-djp9 dataset) is the single most useful classifier in the data — it tells you scope, expected review path, and roughly what kind of contractor will be involved. Most outsiders see "permit" as one undifferentiated thing. Reading the type field correctly is the difference between a noisy daily feed and a focused one.

The 9 SF DBI permit types, ranked by frequency

Type 8 — OTC alterations permit (over the counter)

The largest bucket. "Over the counter" means a permit a project manager or homeowner can pull at the DBI counter without going through a full plan-review track. By volume, OTCs dominate — about 25,000 a year. By scope, most are small: cabinet replacements, single-bath remodels, water-heater swaps, voluntary seismic upgrades on small homes.

OTCs aren't useless to contractors — some of them carry $100k+ project values when the scope qualifies (interior alterations under a certain threshold, no structural changes, no occupancy change). Filter OTC permits by revised_cost > 100000 and the noise drops by 90%.

Type 3 — Additions, alterations, or repairs

The most important type for mid-market GC work in SF. Type 3 permits cover any work that exceeds OTC thresholds — structural additions, wholesale interior remodels of commercial space, multi-floor tenant improvements, ADU conversions, anything requiring full plan review. Most $500k+ residential alterations and most commercial TIs land here.

This is where SF's mid-market wedge lives. Type 3 with status='filed' and no contractor named in 3pee-9qhc = open bid window.

Types 1 and 2 — New construction

The trophy permits. Type 1 covers full new buildings (concrete, steel, multi-story); Type 2 specifically calls out wood-frame new construction (the bulk of SF residential new builds, capped at code-allowable wood-frame heights). Combined, only about 80–90 a year, but they're invariably the highest-value permits in the city — project values from $1M up to $50M+.

For specialty subs, every Type 1 / Type 2 permit triggers a long list of trade scopes that aren't yet hired: framing, MEP, foundation, envelope, fire protection, elevators (if applicable), finishes. Sub-trade leads from new construction permits are the highest-conversion category in our SF feed.

Type 6 — Demolitions

Demolition permits are early indicators — nearly every demolition is a precursor to a new building or a major rebuild. SF runs about 80 demolition permits a year, and they're a worthwhile signal for site/structural and shell contractors who can win the rebuild that follows.

Types 4 and 7 — Signs

Sign permits (erect new sign / wall or painted sign) are pulled by sign companies directly. They aren't GC opportunities. Filter them out unless you're a sign contractor.

Type 5 — Grading / excavation

Site work permits, mostly tied to new construction. Low volume but useful for site/demolition contractors.

What permit type tells you about review path

Permit type roughly maps to which DBI review track the project goes through:

• OTC (Type 8) — counter-issued or expedited online. Days to weeks.
• Additions / alterations (Type 3) — full plan review. Weeks to months.
• New construction (Types 1, 2) — full plan review plus zoning, planning, and (for larger projects) Planning Commission. Months to over a year.
• Demolition (Type 6) — demolition review board for any building over 50 years old or in an historic district. Variable.

This matters for your outreach timing. A Type 1 new-construction permit filed last week is probably 6–12 months from issuance — plenty of time to reach the owner before the GC is hired. A Type 3 alteration filed 4 weeks ago might issue in another 4 weeks — the bid window is closing fast.

Common pitfalls when reading SF permit types

Three traps that catch contractors new to the data:

• Treating OTC as automatically small. A meaningful slice of OTC permits run $100k–$500k. Don't filter them out wholesale; gate by revised_cost.
• Ignoring Type 9 / "9" permits. Some soft-story retrofits and miscellaneous work fall under permit_type=9. The permit_type_definition field is sometimes blank for these. If you're a structural or seismic contractor, don't filter them out.
• Reading permit_type as a number alone. Always pair the numeric code with permit_type_definition; the numbers shift over time but the text labels are stable.

Pairing permit type with project value

Permit type alone doesn't tell you the size of the job — revised_cost does. SF DBI populates project value on 98%+ of recent permits, which is excellent compared to other major cities. The two fields together give you a precise scope filter:

• Type 1 + value > $5M = institutional / commercial new build — A+ lead.
• Type 2 + value > $1M = single- or multi-family new construction — A lead.
• Type 3 + value > $500K = major commercial TI or whole-home remodel — A lead.
• Type 3 + value $100K–$500K = mid-size alteration — B lead.
• Type 8 + value > $100K = sizable OTC, often interior remodel — B lead.
• Type 6 = demolition. Always worth a look for site/shell contractors.

Cost expectations by neighborhood add another layer — a $500K project in Hayes Valley scopes very differently than a $500K project in Bayview.