The following guidelines are intended to aid individuals, businesses or neighborhood groups in obtaining a permit for and installing permeable landscaping in the public right-of-way (sidewalks) in San Francisco. The information may also be adapted for plantings on private property, which generally do not require a permit.

<<< "NEW & IMPROVED" SIDEWALK LANDSCAPING PERMIT NOW AVAILABLE FOR YOUR USE >>> Plant*SF has been working with City agencies to streamline the permit process for sidewalk plantings. The San Francisco DPW and Plant*SF have co-authored a permeable landscape-specific permit in order to encourage sidewalk plantings. This permit features a reduced fee (sliding scale from $160-$215 instead of $800) and a provision for increased areas without variance.

A little disclaimer: Please note that the permit process may change without notice or update on this site. The following information is believed to be correct as of March 2009. Be sure to check with your local jurisdiction before undertaking any project.

HERE'S THE PROCESS for San Francisco (updated March 2009):

• Get a copy of the "SIDEWALK LANDSCAPING" permit application and guidelines HERE. If you are undertaking a joint project with your neighbors, one application is required for each property.

• Review the guidelines. Contact the Bureau of Urban Forestry (415 641 2676) or Plant*SF (info@plantSF.org) with questions or concerns. (For sidewalks measuring 7' or less in width, contact Plant*SF for suggestions on plantable areas.)

• Consider inviting your neighbors to join in a planting to reduce fees [which range from $160 - $215 depending on how many properties are involved]. Joint plantings also generally save on installation costs and result in a larger overall garden.

• Make a plan drawing that shows your proposed changes. You may do this yourself, or an architect or landscape designer can help you.

• Complete the application form.

• Permit requires Property Owner or Owner's Agent signature. If you are not the owner, discuss your ideas with them. Feel free to ask Plant*SF to contact a property owner on your behalf.

• Submit completed permit application, drawing and fee via mail to address at top of form.

• Follow the guidelines that accompany the permit regarding setting up a site inspection and the location any underground utilities.

• Once work is authorized, extract concrete with a concrete saw and jack hammer. These are available at local tool rental companies, or you may hire a contractor to do this work (See Resources page). Relocate or remove demolished materials to a recycle yard. Consider coordinating with your neighbors to share costs.

• Prepare, augment and/or remove portions of the existing soil. (Remove large rocks, till new soil with existing soil to a depth of 12-24"). This will encourage root growth into the existing soil. Consider retaining large rocks on site as landscape features instead of sending them to landfill.

• Install weed barrier cloth if desired. While not required, this may make maintenance easier. Note that weed barriers may also prevent desired plants from spreading, and may be cut to provide for this growth. Rock mulch may be more effective than a weed barrier and also serves decorative and soil protecting functions.

• Select and install plant and/or other materials. Consult the Plant Selection Guidelines to help ensure plantings will be appropriate to your area. Also ask at your local nursery for suggestions for your planters' soil, sun and moisture characteristics. Install rock or mulch around plants to increase moisture retention and reduce weed growth.

• Select and install decomposed granite and/or permeable pavers for paths. Be sure to install pavers properly with sand and gravel layers.

• Provide initial watering of plants (until drought tolerance is established, approximately 2-4 months, depending on season).

• Provide light maintenance. (When selected and installed properly, includes removal of trash, optional watering, light weeding, and minimal tending of plants).
  

Cost Summary

Costs vary due factors such as the amount of concrete removed, whether or not you do the drawings and/or labor yourself, and what species and size of plants you use. You may pay anywhere from $1 - $10 per square foot (about $10 - $100 per 'sidewalk square') for the completed project using volunteer labor, and $20 or more per square foot if hiring a professional installer. Consider transplanting plants from your back yard or using self-propogating plants to keep costs down and growth up!

Potential cost savings include how much it costs to repair/replace damaged concrete initially and over time (especially where tree roots repeatedly heave and crack sidewalks) and related root pruning of trees. Typical replace/repair costs are about $100 per 'sidewalk square' ($10 - $12 per square foot). Depaving projects tend to pay for themselves the first time this replace/repair is avoided - something to consider especially if your sidewalk is currently in need of repair.

Fixed costs are shown. Fill in the blanks with your estimated budget for other items:

Item	Approx. Amount
Sidewalk Landscaping Permit	$160 to $215
Professional assistance with planning, drawing or plant selection (if any)
Concrete sawing and jackhammering
Concrete debris removal (including debris box rental if needed)
Soil Tilling (if renting machinery)
Soil (and weed cloth if desired) and Mulch (wood chips or rock)
Plants, trees, rock and/or other garden features
Permeable pavers, sand, gravel, compaction tool rental
Labor (if any)
TOTAL