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If your project needs more of the roadway and/or sidewalk than a Street Space Permit allows, you'll need an Additional Street Space (ADS) Permit. These permits are issued month to month for longer-term building construction. Excavation work isn't allowed under an ADS Permit.

Governing rules: Public Works Code, Article 15, Section 724.7 and Public Works Order No. 173,862
 

WHEN YOU NEED AN ADDITIONAL STREET SPACE (ADS) PERMIT 

A Street Space Permit grants the use the parking lane and up to half the sidewalk width in front of your property. Construction staging with two (2) weeks or less with no extension can apply for a Temporary Occupancy permit application. If your project needs more space than that, you'll need an ADS Permit. You need one if any of the following apply:

  1. You can't keep a 4-foot walking path clear. The area covered by your Street Space Permit must leave a path at least 4 feet wide for pedestrians.
  2. You need to use the traffic lane next to your work area. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) may also require a Special Traffic Permit for as long as you occupy the lane.
  3. You need space in front of a neighboring property. You'll need written consent from that property's owner.  (Sample Consent Letter)
  4. If pedestrians cannot walk along the building frontage (sidewalk or parking strip) and need to be diverted across the street.

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN ADDITIONAL STREET SPACE (ADS) PERMIT

Submit the following to Public Works Permits:   
NOTE: Allow at least 30 calendar days to process your additional street space permit application. 

  1. Permit Application Letter. A signed written letter requesting an ADS permit addressed to the “Permit Manager”. The letter must include:
    1. Project address.
    2. Purpose for requesting the additional street space.
    3. The proposed use of the space.
    4. Description of proposed area to occupy in square footage.
    5. Dates of occupancy and proposed duration.
       
  2. Site Plan. A detailed and dimensioned layout plan of the area showing the proposed area of occupancy, including the elements of delineation, the pedestrian path of travel and proposed traffic striping.
    1. If the existing traffic striping is proposed to be modified, include a logistics plan showing the square footage of staging/occupied area the existing traffic striping, which may be obtained from SFMTA at 415-701-2311.
    2. All traffic control elements and delineating elements shall be included in the plan. The elements may consist of: fences, barricades, ramps, scaffolding and other materials.
    3. See SFMTA Sample Site Map.
       
  3. Copy of Written Approval Letter(s) or Notification Letter for the following conditions:
    1. Copy of signed written approvals from all affected property owner(s) or designated property manager(s) when applying to expand the occupied area of the regular Street Space Permit.
        
  4. Copy of Valid Certificate of Insurance (COI) for Condition 4. The COI is evidence of general commercial liability coverage with language that must comply with Public Works - Permits requirements as identified in the Sample COI for the full duration of the ADS Permit.
  5. Copy of Valid Special Traffic Permit (STP) from SFMTA for Conditions 1 and 2. STP may be required by SFMTA for the full duration of the ADS Permit when vehicular travel lanes are or may be affected, as determined by SFMTA.
  6. You will receive an invoice. See the San Francisco Public Works Fee Schedule.   
    NOTE: Additional occupancy assessment fees are required following approval of the proposed plan.
  7. If the fronting property is City-owned, reach out to Department of Real Estate division.
     

PERMIT REVIEW PROCESS

  • All ADS Permits are subject to additional review and requirements by other City Agencies, including by not limited to San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD), San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), etc.
  • All ADS Permits are issued at one (1) month intervals and for up to six (6) month durations.
  • Extensions of an ADS Permit may be requested in writing to Public Works - Permits no less than 15 days prior to the expiration of that permit. Fees shall apply to all permit renewals of the ADS Permit which has been granted an extension, see the Fees section below.
  • Permit Application distribution: SFMTA for logistics plan (e.g. moving lane, re-striping, relocate bus stops), Police for pedestrian safety and Fire for truck turning radius, accessibility to fire fixtures and life safety.
     

WHERE TO APPLY

Anyone who intends to occupy a portion of the public roadway and/or sidewalk beyond what is allowed under a Street Space Permit may apply for an Additional Street Space Permit either in person or through email at PublicWorksPermits@sfdpw.org.

San Francisco Public Works • Permits
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 300 • San Francisco, CA 94103 
Email:  PublicWorksPermits@sfdpw.org Phone : (628) 271-2000

San Francisco Public Works • Permit Center 
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 200 • San Francisco, CA 94103 • Map

Processing Hours:
• Please visit https://sf.gov/location/permit-center for operating hours of the Permit Center. 
• Closed on official holidays

FEES

Each ADS Permit Application shall be subject to fees as described in the Public Works Fee Schedule listed below:

  • New Application – The fees for processing a new permit application.
  • Renewal – The fee for processing requests to extend a valid ADS permit.
  • Assessment – The fee for occupying an area of the public right of way in monthly increments based on the bulk and height of the property’s zone, as determined by the Planning Department, reference the Property Information Map
      

TOW-AWAY SIGN INFORMATION

All Tow-Away Signs are provided and installed by the permittee. Tow-Away (no parking) Signs must be posted and registered at least 72 hours in advance. For additional information, see links below:

 
Tow-Away Sign Activation and Photo Upload Process Brochure


 

TOWING A VEHICLE

Contact the SFMTA Tow Desk at (415) 553-1200.
 

PERMIT DOCUMENT LINKS

 

VIOLATIONS

If the Director of Public Works determines that the permittee has exceeded the scope of the Additional Street Space Permit, either in terms of duration or area; determines that any other violation of the permit terms and/or conditions have occurred, the Director of Public Works shall order the permittee to correct the violation within a specified time period. Violations of Public Works Code may result in the imposition of a financial penalty of up to $1,000 per day. Nonconformance to any related City regulation may result in the revocation of the ADS Permit.
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

San Francisco Public Works • Permits
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 300 • San Francisco, CA 94103 
Email:  PublicWorksPermits@sfdpw.org Phone : (628) 271-2000

San Francisco Public Works • Permit Center 
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 200 • San Francisco, CA 94103 • Map

Processing Hours:
•Please visit https://sf.gov/location/permit-center for operating hours of the Permit Center. 
• Closed on official holidays