Building Plan Review Process

Building plans are reviewed in the order they are received. Building plans are expected to have all necessary and required information for a complete plan review. Any portion missing will be requested and will delay processing your permit application. Please review the criteria for submittal requirements for residential and commercial projects. If your plans cannot be approved as submitted, an email with a correction letter will be sent to the applicant. If you have questions about your review, please contact the plans examiner listed on the correction letter. The corrected plans will be uploaded through the portal by the applicant to the original permit application.

Residential Submittals

Residential plans must comply with the following:

Please also review the submittal requirements for residential plans, and Common Omissions and Mistakes on Residential Plans. Issues to be aware of when submitting residential plans:

  • Plans not meeting the prescriptive code in the 2018 IRC (for example: post and beam construction, steel structures) will require a design meeting the requirements of the 2018 IBC which may require your plans to be sealed by an Arizona registrant.
  • Homes which have a manufactured floor system (I-Joists/Floor Trusses) will be required to have the engineering and floor layout from the manufacturer for the floor system.
  • Where a development permit was required by the flood department, the requirements of that permit must be reflected on your residential plans.
  • Where plans are required to be sealed by an Arizona registrant, the calculations justifying the design must also be submitted.

Commercial Submittals

Commercial plans must comply with the following:

Please also review the Submittal Requirements for Commercial Plans.

Issues to be aware of when submitting commercial plans:

  • A site specific soils report done by an Arizona Licensed Registrant for the foundation design and soils conditions must be provided. A soils report per the 2018 IBC section 1803 shall contain the following minimum information – soils classification(s), allowable foundation pressure, lateral pressure or lateral sliding resistance values, recommendations for foundation type and depth below finished grade.
  • A building size of over 3,000 square feet or with an occupant load of 20 or more will require that all plans submitted for permit to be stamped/sealed by an Arizona Licensed Registrant as per the Arizona State Board of Technical Review.
  • A separate grading permit will be required for each parcel for any proposed grading to be done on site. Grading plans must comply with Yavapai County Grading Ordinance(PDF, 877KB) .
  • Plumbing fixtures as required per the 2018 IPC table 403.1 shall be provided. Table 403.1 does require a minimum of one (1) drinking fountain to be provided along with specific numbers of restrooms based on the occupant load as determined by Table 1004.5 of the 2018 IBC. Each building shall be provided with the required plumbing fixtures.
  • Specific information (details) for accessible parking, accessible route into the building and through the building along with restrooms and drinking fountain under the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAG) shall be included on the plans. This includes the slopes and cross slopes for that accessible route, ramps and parking space(s) along with the material surfaces to be of a hard type which can be traveled by a person in a wheel chair.
  • When any special inspection is call for the structural engineer and/or required per chapter 17 of the 2018 IBC, the “Special Inspections Certificate” shall be completed and submitted with the applications and plans for a building permit.
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