Residential Building Plan Requirements and Guidelines

Building Services will not accept an Application for a Residential Building Permit unless the Minimum Criteria listed below are met. Use the following as a guideline for your submittal.  

Submit two complete sets of plans that include the following, PLUS one additional floor plan:

  1. PLOT PLAN (minimum scale I "=20')
    • This plan must show the entire parcel and indicate and identify actual distances from all property lines and/or easements to structures, existing and proposed. Indicate all easements on the plan.
    • The plot plan shall also indicate distances between structures.
    • Locate septic system(s), propane tank(s) and any other buildings.
    • Indicate slope of lot.
    • Contour lines (@ 1 ',2' or 5' vertical increments) must be shown for the building site and/or disturbed area and extend 20 feet beyond or to the property line, whichever is less.
    • Similar contour lines must also be shown for the full length of a new driveway, if applicable.
    • A profile for any new driveway on site. Also, public road to driveway improvements shown and dimensioned. Indicate the finished floor elevations for garage floor and first floor.
    • The proposed method of compliance with State Fire Safe regulations regarding driveway slope, width, surface, turnouts and fuel modification shall be shown on these plans.
    • Site Design Measures for Post Construction Storm Water Requirements.
    • Any proposed grading is to be delineated in conformance with the County Design and Improvement Standards Manual.
    • If the plot plan, drawn as required above, is too large to fit on a 24" x 36" sheet of paper, a SITE PLAN, drawn to a small scale, shall be provided which locates the area covered by the PLOT PLAN on the parcel.
     
  2. TITLE BLOCK giving owner's name and mailing address, job site address, and assessor's parcel number. Include a summary of square footage identifying each proposed occupancy.
  3. FOUNDATION PLAN with details.
  4. FLOOR PLAN (fully dimensioned) illustrating proposed sizes and uses of rooms. Show braced wall panel locations or engineered shear walls (if applicable).
  5. FLOOR FRAMING PLAN with details (include deck framing if applicable).
  6. BUILDING SECTIONS / STRUCTURAL PLANS
  7. ROOF FRAMING PLAN. (Include the truss manufacturers specifications if a roof truss system is used. Must be reviewed and also signed by project engineer if applicable)
  8. ELEVATIONS including front, rear, and both sides.
  9. RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM - system shall be designed by an appropriate California licensed professional.
  10. ELECTRICAL / MECHANICAL PLAN. This may be illustrated on the Floor Plan. Include a gas piping plan (if applicable.)
  11. CALIFORNIA CEC TITLE 24 Energy Loss Report. Includes Form CF-1R and “Mandatory Measure Checklist”.
  12. CALGreen Residential Requirements - for more information please visit:  California Green Building Standards Code
  13. Post Construction Storm Water Plan
  14. Name and wet signature (original) of the person responsible for preparing plans. (Plans requiring design by a California-Registered Architect or Engineer must have seal and signature and the license number with current expiration date.)

Please note: one additional floor plan is needed for the county Assessor's Office before permit issuance.

An application missing any items will be deemed incomplete and the plan check will not be scheduled until all the items indicated are received by Building Services. This may affect application fees and codes since the operative date of application will be the date on which a complete application is received.

CHECK OUR PLAN REVIEW GUIDELINES FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE PLAN CHECK PROCESS. The guideline, while not all-inclusive, is intended to help you prepare residential plans that are essentially "complete".

 

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