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PLAN SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST
NEW COMMERCIAL PROJECTS
CITY OF GRASS VALLEY BUILDING DIVISION (530) 274-4340
125 E. MAIN STREET, GRASS VALLEY, CA 95945
BUILDING INSPECTION REQUEST LINE (530) 274-4343
www.cityofgrassvalley.com
Where to Begin:
All new commercial buildings (entirely new square footage built for the sole purpose of conducting a
business) must first be approved through the Development Review Application process. Contact the
City Planning Division at (530) 274-4330 with any questions regarding this process.
You will also need to speak to the Engineering/Public Works Department (530) 274-4350 and the Fire
Department (530) 274-4370 to discuss any requirements those departments may have regarding your
projects. Possible issues include grading permits, sewer hook-ups, fire sprinkler plans, etc.
Submittal for Building Permit Plan Review:
Once the previous items have been addressed, you will need to submit a permit application and plans
to the City Building Division. The following are the minimum requirements for plan check submittals for
new commercial construction and additions to existing commercial structures. Incomplete submittals
will not be accepted and will significantly delay your plan review.
“ Completed Building Permit Application for Plan Submittal and payment for plan check fee.
“ Four complete sets of plans, two of which must be wet stamped and signed, on minimum
18” x 24” paper. Plans must be prepared by a California licensed architect or engineer, with the
appropriate and current license information on each sheet. Plans must include the following:
1. Site Plan – Provide a north arrow, appropriate scale, parcel and property lines, existing and
proposed buildings on the property, setbacks, address, parking, public right of way,
topography and accessible paths of travel. List all Building Codes the project is designed
under and provide a complete code analysis including allowable area, height, type of
construction, and occupancy classification.
2. Foundation Plan – Show dimensions, footings, framing, holdowns, reinforcement, vapor
barrier and all structural requirements.
3. Floor Plan – Show all floors, all rooms and their use, dimensions, openings, doors and all
exits. Show and identify and new features, method of compliance for all accessibility
requirements, including dimensions and details.
4. Exterior Elevations – Show all exterior elevations including all doors, windows, exterior wall
finish materials, architectural projections and dimensions.
5. Reflected Ceiling Plan – Show all ceiling types, light fixtures, air diffusers, emergency
lighting and exit signage.
6. Building Sections – Show a minimum of two building sections that include sufficient detail
from the foundation up to the roof with reference to construction details and dimensions.
7. Construction Details – Show and reference location of all construction details applicable to
the project; do not include standard details that do not apply.
8. Structural – Provide complete structural drawings accompanied by calculations.
9. Mechanical – Show location of all equipment, method of support, unit model and
manufacturer, BTU, efficiency rating, all return/supply air locations and energy calculations
10. Plumbing – Show and identify all fixtures, water heaters, floor drains, clean-outs, pipe sizes,
materials and service locations. Include waste and vent, water supply and gas piping layout
with pipe sizing calculations.
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11. Electrical – Provide site electrical, power plan, lighting plan and panel schedule. Show and
identify all receptacles, lighting, special equipment, conductor sizes, meter location, electric
load calculations and a one line diagram.
12. Title 24 Energy Calculations
13. Roof Truss diagrams and calculations
14. Structural Calculations
15. Soils Report
16. Reduced copy of Site Plan and Floor Plan (letter or legal size) – one each
Plan Review Process:
Once your project plans have been deemed complete and accepted by the City’s Building Division
staff, the plans will be routed to the appropriate City departments—Building, Planning, Engineering
and Fire—and reviewed for compliance with applicable code regulations and department standards.
When the departments have checked the plans, they will be returned to the Building Division staff,
who will notify you of any comments and necessary revisions or corrections to your plans. When all
comments and corrections have been adequately addressed, all project conditions met and all
applicable fees paid, a Building Permit will be issued for the project and work may commence.
Depending on the number of current plan checks and the complexity of the project, the estimated time
for City plan review for a new commercial building is 4–12 weeks for initial submittals and 4–6 weeks
for resubmittals with revisions/corrections.
If your project involves any hazardous materials, food handling or preparation, or prepackaged foods,
it is your responsibility to have the project reviewed by the Nevada County Department of
Environmental Health. This can be done prior to or concurrent with the City’s plan review. The
county’s EH Department is located at 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City, CA 95959. For any questions
regarding Environmental Health issues or plan submittal, contact them directly at (530) 265-1222.
Finaling Your Building Permit:
At the time of Building Permit issuance, the applicant shall receive a yellow Inspection Card which
contains all of the permit information, conditions, and the departments that will need to perform final
inspections. Department phone numbers are at the bottom of the inspection card for scheduling
inspections. When all conditions have been met and each applicable department and agency has
approved the project, the Building Division will conduct a final inspection and the Certificate of
Occupancy (required for first time occupancy and/or change of occupancy) will be routed for
signatures. Once you receive your copy of the Certificate of Occupancy by mail, the space can be
legally occupied. UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE OFFICIAL COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF
OCCUPANCY, THE SPACE CANNOT BE OCCUPIED.
All Building Division inspections, including the Building Division final, must be requested by calling the
24 Hour Inspection Request Line at (530) 274-4343 BEFORE 7 AM for a same day inspection and
leaving ALL of the information requested on the voicemail (Permit #, Project Address, Type of
Inspection, Your Name, Date of Inspection, and a Phone # where you can be reached). Other
Department inspections must be arranged directly with that Department by calling the corresponding
phone number on the inspection card or the corresponding phone number below.
For additional information or specific questions regarding the City of Grass Valley’s building permit
process, please contact the Building Division at (530) 274-4340.
QUICK REFERENCE DEPARTMENT PHONE NUMBERS:
BUILDING DIVISION (530) 274-4340 FIRE DEPARTMENT (530) 274-4370
PLANNING DIVISION (530) 274-4330 ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT (530) 274-4373
BUILDING INSPECTION REQUEST LINE (530) 274-4343 FINANCE DEPARTMENT (530) 274-4300
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