Permit guides › San Francisco › SF-TR-34

Public Works Street Space permit (sidewalk/street occupancy during construction): San Francisco restaurant guide

SF Public Works

What it is

Required whenever construction uses the public sidewalk or parking lane — debris boxes, scaffolding, deliveries staged on the street — limited to your frontage, 1/2 of the sidewalk and 1/3 of the roadway.

When a restaurant needs it

Any build-out that puts a debris box, scaffold or materials on the public right-of-way.

How to apply

Apply online in the Public Works Permits Portal (or at 49 South Van Ness); fees are charged in 20-foot intervals and a street occupancy meeting is required before you occupy the space.

Documents you’ll need

Fee
Charged per 20-foot interval — use the Public Works street space fee calculator; Temporary Occupancy $115 per day per block face (FY 2026-27)
Processing time
Online; 1–6 months duration
Renewal
Extend as needed
Who files
The contractor or owner applies.

Good to know

Usually pulled by the general contractor. Email streetspace@sfdpw.org or call (628) 271-2000.

Official source

Public Works — street space permit

Get your personalized San Francisco permit plan

Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.

Build my free plan

Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.