Plan Requirements

Every jurisdiction in the State of Californiawill require that a certain amount of information be provided, in order for them to perform a comprehensive review of plans for property improvements.  The main intent of the plan review is to compare the information that is provided with State and local design criteria.  This criteria is usually found in the State Model Codes IE. California Building Code, California Plumbing Code etc. and also local Municipal Code requirements. 

As an example, the California Building Code, section 106.3 lists specific requirements for an “application for a permit”  (plan review), which is provided below:

106.3.1                        Application.  To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefore in writing on a form furnished by the code enforcement agency for the purpose.  Every such application shall:

1.                  Identify an describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made.

2.                  Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by legal description, street address or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed building or work.

3.                  Indicate the use or occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.

4.                  Be accompanied by plans, diagrams, computations and specifications and other data as required in Section 105.3.2

5.                  State the valuation of any new building or structure or any addition, remodeling or alteration to an existing building.

6.                  Be signed by the applicant, or the applicant’s authorized agent.

7.                  Giver such other data and information as may be required by the building official.

106.3.2                        Submittal documents.  Plans, specifications, engineering calculations, diagrams, soul investigation reports, special inspection and structural observation programs and other data shall constitute the submittal documents and shall be submitted in one or more sets with each application for a permit. When such plans are not prepared by an architect or engineer, the building official may require the applicant submitting such plans or other data to demonstrate that state law does not require that the plans be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer. The building official may require plans, computations and specifications to be prepared and designed by an engineer or architect licensed by the state to practice as such even if not required by state law.

106.3.3                        Information on plans and specifications.  Plans and specifications shall be drawn to scale upon substantial paper or cloth and shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and  all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.

Plans for buildings or other than Group R, Division 3 and Group U Occupancies shall indicate how required structural and fire resistive integrity will be maintained where penetrations will be made for electrical, mechanical, plumbing and communication conduits, pipes and similar systems.