HVAC in South San Francisco, California
Must I switch my furnace to electric in South San Francisco?
No. Its all-electric reach code covers new homes, not equipment replaced in an existing one. What the city does require: a permit for mechanical work, applied for online, and the card on site.
On file for South San Francisco
Permits online, and what the reach code covers
On file, last checked 2026-10-22
Read next
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Reach code
Does the all-electric rule cover a replacement in South San Francisco?
No. On May 26, 2021, the City Council approved two reach codes: one requiring electric energy, and prohibiting gas, in new residential construction, and one adding EV charging stations in new residential construction. Neither touches a furnace or AC replaced in an existing home.
Choosing a heat pump there is up to you, and WestLight Energy pays $1,500 per heat pump condensing unit that replaces a gas furnace or heater.
Source: City of South San Francisco, Reach Codes. Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
Source: WestLight Energy (formerly Peninsula Clean Energy), Home Upgrade Rebates Terms and Conditions (updated May 18, 2026). Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
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Permit
Do I need a permit for HVAC work in South San Francisco?
Yes. The city's note is plain: while the codes may exempt certain work from permits, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work must still be permitted.
Furnace permits are over-the-counter permits, and those are accepted only as online applications through the city's portal.
Source: City of South San Francisco, Plan Submittal and Permit Requirements. Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-17.
Source: City of South San Francisco, Over The Counter Permits. Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
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Contractor
Who can pull the permit in South San Francisco?
A contractor with a valid California State License Board licence and a valid South San Francisco business license. Ask for both before booking anyone.
Source: City of South San Francisco, Over The Counter Permits. Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
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Inspection
What has to be on site for the inspection?
The permit inspection record card and all approved job site plans stay on the job site, readily accessible for the building inspector.
Source: City of South San Francisco, Building Inspections. Rules and programs change: last checked 2026-10-22.
Where we work
The Peninsula line
Our shop is in San Mateo. Every stop below is a city we work in, from San Francisco's neighborhoods down to Gilroy, over to the coast and across to the East Bay. The stops in white have their own page.
- Our shop, San Mateo
- A city with its own page
- We work there too
Along the Bay and El Camino
- San Francisco
- Daly City
- Colma
- Brisbane
- South San Francisco (this page)
- San Bruno
- Millbrae
- Burlingame
- Hillsborough
- San Mateo
- Foster City
- Belmont
- San Carlos
- Redwood City
- Atherton
- Menlo Park
- East Palo Alto
- Palo Alto
- Mountain View
- Sunnyvale
- Santa Clara
- San Jose
- Morgan Hill
- San Martin
- Gilroy
The hills
- Emerald Hills
- Woodside
- Portola Valley
- Stanford
- Los Altos Hills
- Los Altos
- Cupertino
- Monte Vista
- Saratoga
- Monte Sereno
- Los Gatos
- Campbell
The coast
Tell us what it's doing. We'll take it from there.
Call and describe the problem: the noise, the smell, the room that never warms up. Or book a visit online.
