California Construction News staff writer
San Francisco has begun a process to consolidate its primary permitting agencies into a single department, a move city officials say is intended to reduce delays, lower costs and speed up construction and economic recovery.
Over the next 18 months, the city will work to combine the Planning Department, the Department of Building Inspection and the Permit Center into one organization responsible for coordinating key citywide permitting functions. The consolidation fulfills a one-year goal of the city’s PermitSF executive directive.
Changes are expected to create a more predictable and transparent permitting process for builders, developers, homeowners and small businesses. There are no current plans to eliminate filled positions as part of the merger, according to the mayor’s office. Any changes to commission structures would be reviewed through the city’s Commission Streamlining Task Force.
Since PermitSF was launched in February 2025, the city has implemented a series of reforms aimed at cutting red tape. These include measures to simplify approvals for business expansions, home renovations, outdoor dining and affordable housing construction.
As an initial step, the city will notify the Board of Supervisors this month of the transfer of certain information technology functions from the Department of Building Inspection and the Permit Center to the Planning Department. Officials said the move is intended to improve coordination while the broader consolidation is underway.
Mayor Daniel Lurie said the consolidation will save time and money while improving customer service and making it easier to build housing and support economic recovery.
The mayor’s office said it will work with labor groups, construction industry stakeholders, department leaders and community organizations during the transition.
Members of the Board of Supervisors said the consolidation could help address longstanding permitting delays and improve efficiency in housing production.
City officials said additional details on the structure and implementation of the consolidated department will be developed in the coming months.
