California note
South San Francisco permit work starts at the Permit Center
South San Francisco routes building permits, plan submittals, inspections, business licenses, and many over-the-counter permit types through its Permit Center and online portal.
South San Francisco keeps a lot of building and business paperwork close to the Permit Center. That is useful because the city has homes, hillside work, downtown storefronts, industrial areas, and biotech spaces that can all have different review needs.
For building work, the online permitting portal handles permit applications and related payments. The city also has many common over-the-counter permit types, including work such as water heaters, furnaces, electrical upgrades, re-roofing, windows, solar, siding, and some kitchen or bath updates when walls are not moving.
Business license payments and records also connect through the online permit system. If a business is opening and the space needs work, keep the license and building permit questions together from the start.
Bring the address, suite number, project type, plans or product details, owner contact, contractor information, and any prior permit number. The first Permit Center question is much easier to answer when those details are ready.
Where to see it
South San Francisco Permit Center, Building Division, business license, and plan submittal pages.
Official sources
Official pages
Reviewed July 4, 2026
Current rules, forms, fees, deadlines, maps, and office instructions.
Rules, forms, fees, deadlines, and office procedures can change. Check the current page before you file, pay, or rely on a date.
Connected places
Open the local directory
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