The Plan Check Process

The Plan Check Process

Building permits are required in order to construct a new, or modify an existing building with in the City of Oxnard. Building permits ensure that standards in the California Building Code and local ordinances are met to ensure public safety and welfare. The City of Oxnard is committed to working closely with developers, homeowners, and contractors to ensure the success of every project. To obtain a building permit plans need to be submitted for review, this is called “Plan Check”. Plans can be submitted at the Building Department. Below is a step by step walk through of the plan check process, as well as basic requirements for plan check.

Step 1  Planning Screening
Projects may require a permit from the Planning Department. If you have questions as to whether a permit approval is needed prior to submitting for a Building Permit, contact the Planning Department at (805) 385-7858.

• Minor Mods
• Temporary Use Permits
• Signs

Step 2  Submittal Requirements
Once Step 1 has been cleared you may submit for plan check. Submittals will be made at the Building Department with a Permit Technician. Requirements for plan check submittal differ by the type of project. The following are general criteria’s for plan check submittals:

1. 3-5 full sets of plans (this is dependent on the different reviewing departments)
2. A completed Building Permit Application
3. Any Calculations
4. Structural Engineering
5. Energy forms
6. Misc. supporting documents needed for your project.

At the time of submittal, your project will be issued a plan check/application number. This number will be your permit number once plan check is finalized. Plan Check tracking/ status can be obtain online. Please note you must have the plan check/application number in order to do so.

Step 3  Plan Check Fee
A plan check fee is due at time of submittal. The plan check fee is based upon the “building valuation”. Once payment has been made the plans will be distributed to the appropriate City Departments for their review.

Step 4  Plan Check Review
Once the plans have been received by the reviewing departments they will be assigning to a planner, plan checker for the project. They will review your project and forward their comments or approval to the Building Department.

Step 5 Approval/Corrections
Once all departments have finalized their review, the building department will notify the contact person on file in order to pick up any comments/corrections that need to be addressed.

Step 6 Re-Submittal
(Step 6 can be skipped if all reviewing departments have approved the plan check.) Once all comments/corrections have been addressed plans will be resubmitted to the building department. This will continue until each reviewing department has been approved (See step 4).

Please note: In order to re-submit, the following items must be a part of the re-submittal package:

• A written response addressing the City Department’s comments.
• New full revised set of plans need to be submitted for each reviewing department (minimum of 3 sets must be submitted at all times).
• Original redlines.

Timing for each project is dependent on the number of current plan checks and the complexity of the project. Response times from each department may be shorter or longer than the following general standards.

• New Commercial/Industrial/Residential projects:………25 Working Days
• Commercial/Industrial Tenant Improvements:…………..20 Working Days
• Express Residential and Commercial projects:…………….5 Working Days

Step 7  Issuance Phase
Once all departments have approved the plan check, the Building Department will process the plans for the issuance phase of the plan check process. Signatures will be obtained from all of the reviewing parties, and fees will be calculated. Once this has been done one of the Permit Technicians will notify the contact person of issuance.

A business tax certificate is required before conducting any business, trade, profession, enterprise, establishment or occupation – regardless of whether you have a business tax certificate from another city.

Does this apply to me?

This requirement applies to all businesses including:

• Permit Runners	• Engineers	• Designers	• 3rd Party Agents
• Expeditors	• Architects	• Surveyors
• Draftsmen	• Developers	• Contractors

Click here for more information about Business Licensing.