Some steps in this process may not be necessary, depending on the type of project. For example, a tenant improvement may not have any site issues while a new project or building addition would.

New commercial projects require preliminary site plan approval from the Planning & Development Department before building or fire plans can be submitted for review. The first step in the site plan approval process is the site site pre-application meeting.   You may also want to use the Preliminary Site Plan Checklist.

Once preliminary site plan approval has been obtained, building and fire plans may be submitted for review. Licensed professionals are required to prepare building and life safety system plans for new commercial construction. Customers are advised to review the criteria for services of design professionals, ensure their licensing is up to date and review the Commercial Building Permit Submittal Checklist.

When ready to submit building plans the customer contacts the project team for a pre-submittal meeting. After authorization, the customer submits the required building plans, site plan and Construction Permit Plan Review Application and payment at the Planning & Development. Plan review base fees are collected upon submittal, additional payment may be required upon pick-up.  Fire plan review is submitted separately.  

Staff reviews the plan for compliance all applicable codes and standards. The assigned fire plan reviewer will reviews the plan for approval. If corrections are required, staff will contact the customer to pick up plans, make corrections and re-submit for another review. Once approved, staff will create the necessary permits and contact the customer for pick-up.

Note: If a plan cannot be approved after the second submittal and correction process, a new submittal will be required.  Contact the Planning & Development Department at 602-262-7811 for additional information.