Building Permit Plan Check: What Happens

Plan check is the review stage in which a building department evaluates submitted plans and supporting documents against the requirements that apply to the project. It is not the same thing as permit issuance.

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What to gather

Start with the record and documents you already have.

The drawings and documents included in the original submittal
Any project notes, calculations or specifications referenced by the plans
The department's plan-check comments or correction list when issued

Practical next steps.

Keep the submitted plan set together so revisions are easy to compare
Answer each correction clearly and update the affected sheet or document
Use the responsible city's current resubmittal instructions

Building departments use their own terminology, deadlines and procedures. Treat this as a practical orientation and verify the current rule with the jurisdiction that issued — or would issue — the permit.

Common questions

Building Permit Plan Check: What Happens FAQ.

Does plan check mean my permit is approved?

No. Plan check is a review step. Permit issuance generally follows only after required reviews, corrections and other prerequisites are satisfied.

Can a project have more than one plan-check cycle?

Yes. A reviewer can issue corrections and review a revised submittal again before the project is ready for issuance.

Building Permit Plan Check: What Happens

Start with the record and documents you already have.

Practical next steps.

Building Permit Plan Check: What Happens FAQ.

Does plan check mean my permit is approved?

Can a project have more than one plan-check cycle?

Verify the current process with the responsible city.