How long permits take in San Francisco
How long each agency takes, so you can plan the opening date.
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal
Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, faxed or mailed
- Takes
- Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.
Articles of Organization (California LLC)
California Secretary of StateCalifornia
Filed online in bizfile Online.
- Fee
- $70
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online filings are currently reviewed about 3 days after receipt (mail about 8 days), per the Oct 8, 2026 queue.
- Renews
- Statement of Information (LLC-12, $20) within 90 days, then every two years.
Seller's permit
California Department of Tax and Fee AdministrationCalifornia
Register online before your first sale; one permit for each location.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Often issued the same day.
- Renews
- Does not expire.
Create/Update Importer Identity Form
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Up to 5 business days.
Customs Bond
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- At least 5 business days for review.
- Renews
- Continuous bonds renew yearly.
San Francisco Business Registration Certificate
San Francisco Office of the Treasurer and Tax CollectorSan Francisco
Apply online, sign the DocuSign email within 15 days, then pay the fee when asked.
- Fee
- $55
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The certificate is mailed within 10 to 15 business days after payment.
- Renews
- Every year, by the last day of February.
Formula retail (chain store) affidavit
San Francisco Planning DepartmentSan Francisco
A chain with 11 or more other locations worldwide files this with the building permit. Many neighborhood districts then require a Conditional Use hearing, and a few ban chains.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- The affidavit itself isn't reviewed separately, but where neighborhood notification is required, neighbors get 30 days to respond, and districts that need Conditional Use go to a Planning Commission hearing.
Registration Form for Commercial Employers
California Employment Development DepartmentCalifornia
Register in e-Services for Business within 15 days of paying over $100 in wages.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Mail-in registration takes about 10 to 14 days; online is faster.
Food facility plan check
San Francisco Department of Public HealthSan Francisco
Filed with the building permit at the Permit Center, with health as a review station: the application, plans and the review fee.
- Fee
- $2,207
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Takes
- DPH doesn't publish a plan review time, but asks you to contact your plan reviewer at least 2 weeks ahead to book the pre-final and final site inspections.
Building permit for a tenant improvement
San Francisco Department of Building InspectionSan Francisco
Submit plans and the application at the Permit Center, which routes it to Planning, Fire and Health.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Takes
- Eligible small businesses opening a new business can get a 30-day review once the application is complete.
Health permit to operate a food facility
San Francisco Department of Public HealthSan Francisco
Apply online at least six weeks before opening, with your business account, location ID and federal tax ID, once a certified food safety manager is on staff.
- Fee
- $470
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Apply for the health permit at least 1 month before you open.
Sign and awning permit
San Francisco Department of Building InspectionSan Francisco
Online only through PermitSF since June 29, 2026 (Forms 4 and 7 retired): submit drawings, answer plan review, pay, then book the final inspection. Lit signs also need an electrical permit.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- DBI doesn't publish a review time for sign or awning permits; you apply online with construction drawings, and the sign must meet the zoning rules for your district.
Fire Department place of assembly permit
San Francisco Fire DepartmentSan Francisco
For dining rooms above the assembly occupant load: file with the Fire Prevention permits section, which inspects before issuing.
- Fee
- $446
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Fire permit applications must be submitted at least 5 working days before the activity or operation starts.
LLC annual tax ($800)
California Franchise Tax BoardCalifornia
Paid every year by every LLC registered or doing business in California.
- Fee
- $800
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Paying the $800 LLC tax online through Web Pay is immediate; it's due by the 15th day of the 4th month of the LLC's tax year.
- Renews
- Every year, by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year.
Proposition 65 warning labels
California Office of Environmental Health Hazard AssessmentCalifornia
Nothing is filed. Businesses with 10 or more employees warn before exposing Californians to listed chemicals, including online at checkout.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Nothing to file
- Takes
- Nothing is filed with or approved by OEHHA, so there's no processing time; the business decides whether a warning is needed and must have it in place itself.
Guides for each business in San Francisco
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
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