What is Plan Check?
Plan Check is a review of plans, drawings, and documents by a Building Official for compliance with the building codes. An accurate and detailed set of plans, specifications, and supporting documents is required for most construction projects. A plan check may be required before a permit can be issued.
Will My Plans Require a Licensed Engineer?
An accurate detailed set of plans, specifications and supporting documents is required for most construction projects. Hiring a California-licensed engineer or land surveyor will provide specialized knowledge regarding the principles of engineering, building code requirements and local conditions including wind loads, snow loads and earthquake activity.
Additionally, a licensed engineer may be required to provide design, analysis, and evaluation of complex soil conditions, grading, foundation/site work, retaining walls, hydrology, structural elements, and mechanical or electrical systems. The resulting plans, specifications, and supporting documents are required to be signed and sealed (stamped) by the engineer. It is your choice as to which engineer you employ. The Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists (BPELSG) can help you verify if an engineer is properly licensed and if any complaints or disciplinary action has been taken against them. For more information, the BPELSG can be contacted at (866) 780-5370.
About the Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
When is Plan Check Required?
The following work requires that the Building Plan Check Engineer review and approve building plans before any permits can be issued:
- New buildings
- Installation and modification of solar power systems
- Additions to buildings
Tenant improvements
- Accessory dwelling units
- Decks, patios, fences over six feet, fireplaces, retaining walls
- ADA striping and path of travel
- New and expanded electrical systems and electrical panels over 400A
- New and expanded mechanical systems
- New and expanded plumbing systems
- Changes to existing drainage and grading
- Changes in occupancy
- Conversions
- Seismic Retrofits
- Replacement of windows or doors that are not the same size as the original
Building Plan Check Information
Electrical Plan Check Information
Drainage and Grading Plan Check Information
Mechanical Plan Check Information
Plumbing Plan Check Information
Submittal Requirements
- Application (one application for each detached structure, and separate applications for demolition work and building work). For building plan checks, complete a building permit application and include the square footage, scope of work, construction type, and construction costs. If your project requires an electrical, grading, plumbing, or mechanical plan check, fill out the corresponding permit application.
- Three sets of plans that include Title 24, structural plans, and calculations, which are stamped by a licensed engineer; or submit a PDF set of the items mentioned above for faster processing.
- Payment of plan check fees. Please contact Building & Safety to generate your fee and for payment and submittal instructions.
Plan Check Fees
Plan Check fees are determined using the following criteria:
- Building Plan Check: 85% of building permit fee
- Electrical Plan Check: 70% of the required permit
- Grading Plan Check: based on the cu. yd. moved
- Mechanical Plan Check: 50% of the required permit
- Plumbing Plan Check: 40% of the required permit