Required Plans and Documents
Some permit projects may require some or all of the following information. To find out if you're in a special district or area, please see the Building Permit Application Archive and Search tool.
- Supplemental Questionnaires
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- Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Equipment Questionnaire Form
Required for new HVAC installations or an existing building in a Design Review area. - Roofing Questionnaire
Required for reroofs in a Design Review area. - Site Drainage and Encroachment Questionnaire
Required for all new residential structures and additions.
- Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Equipment Questionnaire Form
- Site Plan
- A site plan is a drawing that depicts the placement of the project on the property. Two versions are required: one that shows the existing site, and one of the proposed work. It should show all buildings, including sheds, and the setbacks of a proposed project to the site itself. It should also include the direction of drainage, landscaping, sidewalks, and other site features. It should show property dimensions, the location of adjoining streets and alleys, and location of all existing and proposed structures on the property with distances from other buildings and property lines specified. Please see sample site plan to the right.
- Floor Plan(s)
- Floor plans show room sizes and uses, placement of walls, location and size of windows, doors, stairs, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets and light fixtures, fireplaces, and cabinets.
- Exterior Elevations
- Exterior elevations show all sides of the building being constructed or remodeled. Exterior elevations also indicate the height of the structure and specifies the exterior materials being used.
- Structural Plans
- Structural plans include foundation, floor framing, roof framing, cross sections, and drawings of specific aspects of the project, such as an eave detail. A good example is a footing detail. The detail drawing would show the size and materials required for the construction of the footing, and a reference on the foundation plan to where the footing detail is located in the plan set.
Please note: Buildings must be designed to withstand at least an 85 mph wind speed. - Structural Engineering Calculations
- Structural engineering calculations are only needed if your project does not meet conventional code requirements.
- Energy Compliance Documentation
- Energy compliance documentation is needed if the area of conditioned space is being increased as necessary to comply with the 2005 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
- Product “Listing” Numbers
- List the product listing numbers of the materials to be used, (i.e., roofing, skylights, spas, fireplaces, and fireplace inserts). The numbers are to be provided by an approved testing agency, such as United Listing, International Conference of Building Officials, or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.
- Automatic Fire Extinguishing System Plans
- Automatic Fire Extinguishing System Plans include drawings, calculations, and specifications. These are required for remodels and tenant improvements where the walls or ceilings are being moved or modified.
