SF Bay Area Commercial Tenant Improvement Checklist

The San Francisco Bay Area contains dozens of permitting jurisdictions. A tenant improvement in San Francisco may follow a different process than a similar project in Oakland, San Jose, Palo Alto or Walnut Creek.

1. Confirm the jurisdiction

Identify the city, county, building department, planning department, fire authority, health department, wastewater agency, Air District, utility provider and any historic or design-review authority.

2. Verify the proposed use

Confirm zoning, occupancy classification, parking, loading, hours, outdoor activity and conditional-use requirements before committing to a design.

3. Review the lease

Clarify permitted use, landlord approval, tenant-improvement allowance, work hours, required contractors, insurance, roof penetrations, utility upgrades, signage, delays and restoration obligations.

4. Investigate the existing building

Collect the Certificate of Occupancy, prior permits, approved plans, fire-system records, utility information, roof warranty, environmental reports, accessibility history, energy benchmarking records and landmark status.

5. Assemble the right team

A project may require an architect, engineers, fire-protection designer, accessibility consultant, kitchen designer, energy consultant, environmental consultant, general contractor and permit coordinator.

6. Identify all approvals

Possible approvals include planning, building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire, public health, wastewater, public works, right-of-way, signs, historic review and air-quality permits.

7. Check for asbestos and demolition requirements

Renovation and demolition work may require asbestos evaluation or Air District notification before walls, ceilings, flooring, insulation or mechanical systems are disturbed.

8. Plan the budget

Include design, engineering, permit fees, utility fees, fire-system work, environmental testing, construction, equipment, furniture, data, security, signage, waste hauling, moving, contingency and rent during construction.

9. Vet contractors

Confirm legal business name, California contractor license, insurance, commercial experience, local permit experience, references, subcontractors, schedule, exclusions, allowances, change-order terms and warranty.

10. Plan construction logistics

Address work hours, noise, dust, odors, elevators, loading, security, parking, shutdowns, fire-alarm impairments, debris routes, daily cleanup and tenant communication.

11. Track inspections and approvals

Maintain a log with inspection type, requested date, result, corrections, reinspection and final approval.

12. Complete closeout

Collect final permits, inspection approvals, occupancy approval, as-built drawings, warranties, manuals, test reports, air-balance reports, fire-system records, waste records, keys and emergency contacts.

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