Building

COVID-19 Plan Check Submittal Process

*Delays are expected during this time period. Projects that would typically be processed over the counter may now take up to two (2) weeks to process. We apologize for this inconvenience.

Step 1: Planning Department Review

1. Email a PDF of the architectural plans to Cuong Nguyen, cuongnguyen@santafesprings.org. NOTE: the City's email server limits individual e-mails to a maximum of 10 megs. Please consider this limit when e-mailing plans. For those unable to submit a PDF of the project plans, you may submit a paper copy of plans by dropping the plans off at the west entry of City Hall. At that location, there is a table with a box to deposit the plans.
2. A project planner will be assigned within 72 hours of submittal. The applicant will be copied on the e-mail when your project has been assigned to a Planner to review. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have not received an e-mail reply with 72 hours. The project planner will review the architectural plans for compliance with the Zoning Code.  If you are resubmitting plans for a project that is already in plan check, please make sure that is clearly indicated. If you are already working with a planner, please also include the name of said planner in your resubmittal.
3. The project planner will either provide the applicant with corrections or authorize the plans for submittal to the Building Department for plan check. If corrections are required, the applicant will re-submit revised plans directly to the project planner.
4. Once plans are authorized for plan check submittal, the project planner will instruct the applicant to email a PDF of the entire set of plans, a completed building permit application, and, if necessary, structural calculations and soils report (collectively referred to as the Plan Check Submittal Package) to the project planner.
5. The project planner will then forward the plan check package to the Building Department.

FOR STATUS UPDATES, CONTACT THE PROJECT PLANNER OR BUILDING PERMIT CLERK ASSIGNED TO YOUR PROJECT.

BOTH INDIVIDUALS ARE NOTED WITHIN THE CITY'S INITIAL E-MAIL REPLY TO YOU DIGITAL PLAN CHECK SUBMITTAL. 

Plan Check Submittal Packages shall be in the following format:

A building permit application, both sides completed, with full description of scope of work and valuation specified, in a single file.

A single pdf file of the complete set of plans to include both architectural and structural sheets. Please make sure the sheets are in order, in horizontal direction, right side up and the file is “unlocked”.

A separate single pdf file of the Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing plans, if any. Please make sure the sheets are in order, in horizontal direction and right side up. This would be for reference only and for further evaluation of the project, so the applicant may be directed to other agencies to obtain their approvals and clearances.

An unlocked single pdf copy of the structural calcs, if applicable or required. Please make sure the sheets are in order and right side up and digitally stamped and signed by the design engineer.

A separate file for each supporting material (soils report, cut-sheets, ICC or City of LA research reports, product information sheet etc.) if any.

Each pdf file shall be clearly named (labeled). Any incomplete submittal packages not following these directions will not be accepted for screening and may cause further delays. For the time being; all submittal packages may be sent via “Dropbox”, “WeTransfer”, by mailing a CD or flash drive containing all the requested material, or any other approved similar means. Multiple emails, use of I-clouds or Google drive are not acceptable means.

Step 2: Building Department Review

1. The Building Plan Check Engineer will review the plan check package for completeness.
2. Once the plan check package is deemed complete, Building Department staff will process the application(s) and contact the applicant to obtain payment. The applicant will also be provided with an agency referral sheet, which advises the applicant what other agency clearances are required prior to issuance of any permits.
3. After payment is received, the applicant must mail hard copies of the plan check package, which must include one (1) full size set of plans (plus one set of calculations and soils report, if needed) for commercial projects or two (2) full size sets of plans and one set of energy calculations (plus one set of structural calculations and soils report, if needed) for residential projects.

   All items must be mailed to:

   City of Santa Fe Springs

   Attn: Building Department

   11710 Telegraph Road

   Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

4. The Building Plan Check Engineer will review the hard copies for conformance with the Building Code. If corrections are required, Building Department staff will contact the applicant to make arrangements for shipping out or picking up the marked plan check package from City Hall. Plans may be picked up by appointment only and will be left on a table outside the west entrance to City Hall.
   
   1. To receive corrections by mail, applicant must provide a pre-paid shipping label.
   2. To schedule an appointment to pick up plans, contact Anh Wood at anhwood@santafesprings.org.
5. Revisions must be resubmitted by mail. For rechecks, the revised plan check package along with the original marked plan check package and all correction lists must be resubmitted.
6. Once plans are approved, Building Department staff will contact the applicant to make arrangements for pulling permits.

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FOR MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY INQUIRIES

For determinations of a facilities "Maximum Occupancy" (maximum occupant load), a business owner can either gather the information from the building owner (based on the original approved plans of the building/space) or hire an architect to determine the correct maximum occupant count (maximum occupant load) per Fire/Building Codes.  For a review fee, the City's Building Department will verify if the architect's occupancy calculations are correct.

 

BUILDING DEPARTMENT

The Building Department is responsible for compliance with the City adopted Los Angeles County Building Codes in all RESIDENTIAL, INDUSTRIAL, and COMMERCIAL buildings and other structures within the City for all:

• New Construction
• Remodeling or Tenant Improvements
• Conversions, Alterations or Repairs
• Demolition

Adherence to the Building Code ensures that each project meets a minimum set of safety standards preserving the value and integrity of the homes, buildings and structures. Appropriate permits must be obtained prior to the start of any project and are subject to applicable fees and inspections.   Please note: Permit applications may be downloaded for your use.  Please visit the Building Handouts page to download permit applications.  

To view open permits or if you would like to research permits that have been issued commencing from September 2009 to present for properties located within the City of Santa Fe Springs please visit: BUILDING PERMIT VIEWER.  For permits issued prior to September 2009 you may visit the Building Department, during public counter hours, to research property permit files. 

According to City Ordinance Chapter 50, you will be required to identify materials that will be reused, recycled, or disposed of - the required goal is to reuse or recycle at least 75% of project waste.  There is a Construction and Demolition Recycling Form that must be approved prior to permit issuance. - Click here to download recycling forms.

Visit the Building Department located inside City Hall for permits, to submit plans for plan check, request inspections and answer questions.
  
Please note: The Building Dept. public counter is open between 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. City Hall is closed every other Friday. 

The Plan Check Engineer is available during the counter hours of 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and an appointment is highly recommended.  You can reach Mike Nosrat at (562) 868-0511, ext. 7366.

The building inspector(s) are available for phone or counter consultations from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. All inspection requests may be requested up to 48 hours in advance. The Plan Check Engineer is available for counter consultations from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and plan reviews only by appointment. Additionally, you may contact the Building Department staff by calling City Hall at (562) 868-0511 ext. 7560 or the extensions provided below:   

• Teresa Cavallo, Planning Program Assistant  - Ext.  7309
• Lorna Lawrence, Building Clerk - Ext. 7452
• Mike Nosrat, P.E., Building Plan Check Engineer Ext. 7366
• Charles Richardson, Building Inspector Ext. 7364

The City of Santa Fe Springs currently uses the following Building Codes:

• 2020 County of Los Angeles Building Code based on 2019 California Building Code, with the exception of Chapters 94, 95 and 96 therein.
• 2020 County of Los Angeles Residential Code based on 2019 California Residential Code
• 2020 County of Los Angeles Plumbing Code based on 2019 California Plumbing Code
• 2020 County of Los Angeles Mechanical Code based on 2019 California Mechanical Code
• 2020 County of Los Angeles Electrical Code based on 2019 California Electrical Code
• 2019 California Building Green Code
• 2019 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards

Wind Speed : 95 MPH

Exposure: C

ASCE 7-16

Important links:

Information about licensed contractors may be obtained by contacting the Contractors’ State License Board at 1020 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. or the website: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/