Pre-Submission Review · Free
San Francisco, California
New construction gets the most rigorous plan check review in California. Every dimension — setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR, and parking — is verified against the municipal code. First-time submittals that pass without corrections are rare, but catching violations before you submit can save 4–8 weeks of back-and-forth with the building department.
New construction in San Francisco goes through the most rigorous plan check process. Every dimension is verified against the municipal code — setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR, parking, and structural requirements. First-time submittals that pass without corrections are rare, but catching issues upfront can save 4–8 weeks of back-and-forth.
The most common plan check flags for new construction in California cities:
Running a pre-submission check catches these issues before they become correction letters. Enter your project dimensions above and we'll compare them against San Francisco's building codes.
Fill in the form above with your lot size, setbacks, building height, and other dimensions — the same numbers on your architectural plans.
Your project is compared against San Francisco's specific zoning requirements — setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, parking ratios, and FAR limits for your zone.
Critical violations, warnings, and advisory items — ranked by what a San Francisco plan checker will flag first. Fix issues before you submit and save weeks of correction cycles.
| Zone | Front | Side | Rear | Height | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RH-1 — Residential House, One Family | 0' | 0' | 15' | 40' | 75% |
| RH-2 — Residential House, Two Family | 0' | 0' | 15' | 40' | 75% |
| RH-3 — Residential House, Three Family | 0' | 0' | 15' | 40' | 75% |
San Francisco requires a 0' front setback, 0' side setback, and 15' rear setback in the most common residential zone. Specific requirements vary by zone — enter your zone code above for exact numbers.
Initial plan review in San Francisco typically takes 4-8 weeks. If corrections are required, each resubmission adds another 2-4 weeks. Running a pre-check before submitting can eliminate the most common correction items and save one or more review cycles.
The most common residential zone in San Francisco allows a maximum height of 40 feet. Height measurement methods vary — some cities measure to the highest ridge, others to the midpoint of the roof. Check the specific zone requirements for your property.
Yes. Create a free account to run unlimited plan checks against San Francisco's building codes. The tool checks setbacks, height limits, lot coverage, parking requirements, and flags common issues that San Francisco plan reviewers look for.
The most frequently flagged items in San Francisco include: Front setback must match block average — not a fixed number; Rear yard calculation: 25% of lot depth or 15', whichever greater; Light exposure plane analysis missing or incorrect. Our tool checks for all of these automatically.