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  • Construction & Development
  • Permits & Design Parameters
  • Permit Process
  • Plan Check
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Plan Check

To get a building permit, submit your project to the Permit Service Center for a plan check. Staff will review your plan to make sure it complies with applicable codes.

To apply for a building permit, you will need to submit documents for a plan check at the Permit Service Center.

During the plan check, staff will review your plan to make sure that it is consistent with code requirements. If they find any elements of your plan that do not comply with the building code, they will provide comments on how to bring your plans up to code.

The plan check does not include zoning approval. If your project involves any changes to the exterior of a building, you will need to apply for a zoning permit.

Submit a complete plan set for review

To apply for a building permit, you will need to submit a complete plan set that includes:

  • Cover sheet
  • Site plan with distances to property lines
  • Architectural details
  • Structural plans
  • Mechanical, Plumbing and Electrical design
  • Energy and Green compliance documentation

For more details about each of these, review the Building Permit Submittal Checklist.

Bring your electronic files on a USB drive for review

To begin the plan check process, first make an appointment at the Permit Service Center.

The Permit Service Center only accepts files in electronic format. Prepare your plans as PDFs with no security restrictions and under 195 MB in size. Load your PDFs onto a USB flash drive to bring with you to the Permit Service Center.

Receive a permit number to view and update your permit online

After submitting your plan and paying the fees, you will receive a permit number. You can use this permit number to view and update your permit online, including tracking the plan check status, uploading additional documents, reviewing plan check comments, and responding to comments.

Plan checks may take from 30 minutes to several weeks

For certain minor projects, the plan check takes only 30 minutes and can be done over the counter during your appointment at the Permit Service Center. Common over the counter projects include:

  • Residential kitchen remodels
  • Residential bathroom remodels
  • Dry rot / pest control damage repairs
  • Deck / porch repair / alteration
  • Residential voluntary seismic retrofits using Plan Set A 
  • Window replacements
  • Residential Solar PV installations
  • Residential Energy Storage systems
  • Residential Electric Vehicle plug-in models

Other projects may take from 1-6 weeks to process. Review the estimated plan check turnaround times for more details.
 

The Fire Department also must review building permit plans for compliance.

Related Documents

Document
  • Building Permit Submittal Checklist (229.38 KB)
Document
  • Plan Check Turnaround Times (192.71 KB)
Document
  • Seismic Plan Set A (2.06 MB)
In this section
Permit Process
  • Permit Service Center
  • Estimate Permit Fees
  • Plan Check
  • Fire Department Plan Review
  • Building Inspections
  • Research Permit Records
  • Permits Online
  • Licensed Contractors
  • Filing an Appeal
  • Condominium Conversion
  • Residential Additions and Accessory Dwelling Units
Permit Service Center
Email: permits@cityofberkeley.info
Phone: (510) 981-7500

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