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SFPUC water & wastewater capacity charges (new service, change of use or added fixtures): San Francisco restaurant guide

SF Public Utilities Commission — Customer Services

What it is

One-time charges that recover the cost of added water and sewer capacity; assessed on new service installations, changes in building use and increased plumbing fixtures, and collected at the Permit Center before the building permit issues.

When a restaurant needs it

Change of use to restaurant, a larger water meter, or more fixture units than the space had before.

How to apply

Submit the SFPUC Fixture Count Form with the building permit; SFPUC calculates the charge from meter size (water) and water-meter equivalents plus SIC code for wastewater strength (restaurants are high-strength).

Documents you’ll need

Fee
Varies by meter size and wastewater strength; rates adjust every July 1 — see the SFPUC rate schedule and Pre-Screening Guidelines; must be paid in full before permit issuance
Processing time
Calculated during permit routing
Renewal
One-time
Who files
The owner pays; the plumber/engineer prepares the fixture count.

Good to know

The City's restaurant guide tells you to estimate capacity charges before signing the lease — they can be five figures on a change of use. Questions: 628-652-6040 or capacitycharges@sfwater.org. New water service lines can take more than 2 years.

Official source

SFPUC — capacity charges · SF — fill out SFPUC water use forms for your permit

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