Tenant Improvement Permits

A building permit is required for the following type of work:

• Interior or exterior tenant improvements
• Change of Occupancy use and or type
• Interior and/or exterior disabled accessibility upgrades or modifications
• Interior improvements for “Spec” Office tenant spaces with no intended occupant
• New business tenants relocating to a new “cold shell” building/tenant space (i.e., when a space is converted from unconditioned to conditioned area)

Shell buildings may not have a fully designed HVAC, plumbing, electrical or exiting system in their design. Therefore, a plan submittal and permit application is required in order to review habitability issues for the known occupancy.

Plan review and permit fees are based on the square footage and valuation (labor and materials) of the construction work.

Notice to Applicants Regarding Possible Development Impact Fees

If you are planning to occupy an existing building or shell building, you may owe additional development impact fees if your proposed use is different from the use the building was originally permitted for.

Example: If a warehouse was originally permitted and a restaurant moves into that space, the restaurant applicant must pay the difference between the warehouse fee rates and the restaurant fee rates.

Impact fees vary based on the new use, the permit history, and project location. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact City staff early to find out if additional fees apply. Any required impact fees are due at permit issuance and will be collected with the building permit fees.

It is recommended that you contact the Building Division for a fee estimate prior to submittal. 

To request a fee estimate, please submit a completed Commercial Fee Quote Worksheet to [email protected] for processing. 

Allow a minimum of 10 business days for the first plan review and 7 business days for any subsequent reviews. Please allow between 24-48 hours from the plan review timeline for processing.

1. Plot plan and Cover sheet - job building/suite address; name, address and phone number of building/business owner, contractor, and design professional; description of work including applicable codes, type of construction, occupancies, fire sprinklers; improvement area (sq. ft.), lot and building size; identify uses of adjacent spaces/suites; location and distances to all real or assumed property lines; north arrow; index of drawings. Complete site layout showing  the path of travel from the public way to the main building entrance; from disabled parking stall to altered areas and from access and exit doors to the public way.

   • If site accessibility has already been approved under the shell building plans, include the reference sheets with the T.I. submittal, with clear indication of accessibility details identified and cross-referenced to the Site Plan (i.e., parking stalls, signage, curb ramps, exterior landings, walkways slope, etc.).

   • If a Master Site Plan Review has been completed and approved per Policy No. B-05-25, include the plan check tracking number to the T.I. plans for verification. No further site information will be necessary.

2. Architectural plans - dimensioned floor plans identifying room uses, door/window keynotes, room finish schedules; assembly seating plan; proposed exiting system depicting all required exit elements such as corridors, exits, stairways, exit passageways; allowable area/occupancy load tabulations; identification and fire-rating listing details; location and ratings of shafts, floor ceiling/roof assemblies.
3. Stair/handrail/guardrail/deck location and details; architectural and framing details for building cross- sections, wall bracing and mechanical supports; suspended ceiling plan and legend; all interior disabled access elements (restrooms, door/wall signage, equipment clearances and mounting heights, door/hardware dimensions, counter heights, etc). If exterior work is proposed, provide elevations identifying construction materials, colors, maximum building height and wall covering specifications.
4. Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing plans - complete mechanical plans identifying location for all supply and return air registers, HVAC equipment, fire/smoke dampers; equipment schedule; roof- mounted equipment location, weight, and anchoring details. Electrical plans locating all electrical outlets (including GFCI), switches, lighting fixtures, exit signs and type of illumination; size and location of main and sub-panels; single-line diagrams, panel schedules and load calculations. Plumbing plan identifying size and location of all plumbing fixtures and DWV; water and gas supply piping sizes and materials for all fixtures and appliances.
5. Structural/Framing plans - when structural modifications are proposed, provide appropriate plans for foundation, floor, and roof framing design; framing detail plans depicting method of attachment/hardware.
6. Title 24 energy calculations - completed NRCC- envelope, lighting and mechanical forms with forms permanently affixed to plans. Compliance with the Standards (i.e., envelope, lighting and mechanical) must be made if a building/space is altered.

For additional information please contact Building Safety and Inspection at:

(916) 478-2235
[email protected]
Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm