Compare local asphalt paving and sealcoating pros in San Francisco. Request pricing and get quotes from local contractors.
San Francisco Asphalt Paving Guide: Costs, Permits, and Timing
San Francisco's cool marine climate brings cool summers, a wet winter, and strict Public Works rules for driveway curb cuts and other work in the public right-of-way. This guide covers published local price ranges, the Street Improvement Permit and curb cut rules, and how to time paving around winter rain. The contractor list above shows paving pros who serve San Francisco on Main Street.
What asphalt work costs in San Francisco
We only list numbers from published sources that give a San Francisco figure. All figures in this table come from HomeBlue's San Francisco cost guides, published in 2022, so expect current quotes to differ. Treat them as a starting point, not a quote.
San Francisco lots often add cost for steep grades, tight street access, and limited room to stage trucks. HomeBlue's sealing guide also notes that some contractors charge a $75 to $100 mobilization fee on small driveways. We did not find a sourced local figure for pothole patching alone, so ask for repair as its own line item.
City permits and the public right-of-way
Work on the sidewalk, curb, gutter, or roadway in front of your property is handled by San Francisco Public Works. Paving that stays entirely on private property does not touch the right-of-way, but a new or changed driveway curb cut does.
Street Improvement Permit. The Public Works Street Improvement page says this permit may be required for work on sidewalk grading, curbs, curb ramps, gutters, driveway curb cuts, or the roadway. If a Department of Building Inspection permit includes work that affects the right-of-way, Public Works reviews the plans and inspects the site to decide whether a Street Improvement Permit is needed.
Curb cut size rules. The same page lists the standard residential curb cut as 10 feet long by 3 feet wide, including 18 inches for the wings. Curb cuts longer than 10 feet need Planning Department approval, and curb cuts 30 feet or longer require an Overwide Driveway Permit from Public Works.
Driveway and curb cut application. The City's Application for Driveway/Curb Cut asks for a fully dimensioned site plan showing your property, adjacent lots, the sidewalk, existing driveways, and the proposed driveway. It states that new, relocated, and overwide driveway cuts may be subject to an annual assessment fee under Section 716 of the Public Works Code, and that once the permit is tentatively approved the applicant must have it notarized and recorded.
San Francisco weather and the best time to pave
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the San Francisco Downtown station show about 22.9 inches of rain a year, with roughly 19.3 inches falling from November through March. June through September averages only about 0.4 inches combined.
Summers are cool: July highs average about 66 degrees, and September is the warmest month at about 70. The station averages only about 3 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter, so heat rarely slows a paving job here.
Our tip for San Francisco homeowners: plan paving and sealcoating for the dry months, roughly May through October, and finish before November rains. Cool, damp mornings can slow sealcoat drying, so ask your crew how long the surface needs before cars go back on it.
San Francisco asphalt FAQ
- How much does a new asphalt driveway cost in San Francisco?
- HomeBlue's San Francisco cost guide (published 2022) puts a new asphalt driveway at $5 to $9 per square foot for 3 to 4 inches of asphalt, including removal of an old asphalt driveway. For a 24 by 40 foot two-car driveway, that guide lists $4,900 to $8,600. Prices have likely moved since 2022, so get written quotes.
- How much does driveway sealcoating cost in San Francisco?
- HomeBlue's San Francisco driveway sealing guide (published 2022) lists $0.40 to $0.60 per square foot, or about $260 to $430 for a 24 by 30 foot two-car driveway.
- Do I need a permit to add or widen a driveway curb cut in San Francisco?
- Yes. San Francisco Public Works says a Street Improvement Permit may be required for driveway curb cuts and other curb, gutter, sidewalk, or roadway work, and the City has a separate Driveway/Curb Cut application that requires a dimensioned site plan.
- How long can a residential curb cut be in San Francisco?
- Public Works lists the standard residential curb cut as 10 feet long by 3 feet wide, including 18 inches for the wings. Longer cuts need Planning Department approval, and cuts 30 feet or longer require an Overwide Driveway Permit.
- When is the best time to pave in San Francisco?
- NOAA normals for Downtown San Francisco show about 22.9 inches of rain a year, mostly from November through March, and almost no rain from June through September. The dry season is the practical window for paving and sealcoating.
Compare San Francisco paving contractors
Contractors listed on the San Francisco hub, from Main Street listings data. Claimed profiles are shown first. Full cards are in the list above.
Own one of these businesses? Claim your free listing to add photos, services, and contact details.
Nearby city hubs
Prices above come from third-party guides published in 2022 and are not quotes from Main Street or any listed contractor. Permit rules change; confirm with San Francisco Public Works before you start work.
