Plan Check / Plan Review: The process by which a building department reviews submitted construction plans and documents to verify compliance with applicable building codes, zoning regulations, and other requirements before issuing a building permit.
What Gets Reviewed During Plan Check
Plan examiners review submitted drawings against multiple codes simultaneously: the structural code (for loads, framing, and foundations), the fire code (for occupancy, egress, and sprinklers), the energy code (for insulation and mechanical systems), the electrical code, the plumbing code, and local amendments. Complex projects may be reviewed by multiple examiners from different departments.
Over-the-Counter vs. Full Plan Review
Simple projects — fence permits, water heater replacements, minor interior work — often receive over-the-counter approval, meaning an examiner reviews the application on the spot and issues the permit the same day. More complex projects require full plan review, where drawings are submitted and reviewed over days or weeks. Many cities offer online submission for both types.
Correction Notices
When a plan examiner finds issues with submitted drawings, they issue a correction notice (also called plan check comments or redlines) specifying what needs to be revised. Responding to corrections quickly is the single biggest thing you can do to speed up the permitting process. Each round of corrections can add 2–4 weeks to the timeline — minimizing correction rounds through thorough initial submissions is valuable.
Plan Check Timelines
Over-the-counter permits are issued same-day. Standard residential plan review takes 1–4 weeks in most cities. Commercial and complex residential projects in high-demand cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle) can take 3–18 months. Many cities offer expedited plan review for an additional fee — typically 50–100% of the base permit fee — which can cut standard timelines in half.