Building Process
The City of Fresno’s straightforward approach identifies projects based on their complexity. There are four project levels, each with an optimized process. The more simple a project, the quicker the review—some even approved over the counter. For more complex projects, the developer can meet with the Development Review Committee (DRC) comprised of all of the reviewing departments, to collaboratively discuss the application and receive concise and thorough feedback.
The City of Fresno has established accountability, clear protocols, and authority for decision-making that align with the General Plan, Development Code, and pre-zoning. Improved technology, customer service, and continuous improvement through training and staff development will help us keep the commitment to our standards, to honor developers’ time and budgets, and to work together to “get to yes.”
| Indicator | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Applications Processed | 15,469 | 16,266 | 17,268 |
| Inspections | 74,721 | 72,338 | 81,668 |
| Plan Checks | 7,047 | 6,784 | 6,913 |
| Solar Plan Checked | 4,477 | 4,281 | 4,281 |
| Days Avg. Turn-Around For Solar Plans | 2.3 | 2.3 | 3.3 |
| Solar Residential Permits | 3,643 | 3,298 | 3,358 |
| Solar Commercial Permits | 54 | 83 | 207 |
| Projected Timeframes Met | 70% | 88% | 85% |
| Customers Served At Front Counter | 14,685 | 16,867 | 18,025 |
| Min. Average Wait Time | 16 Min. | 16 Min. | 11 Min. |
Formal Reviews
All applications will be reviewed for completeness prior to acceptance for plan check submittal.
Days
28 business days
Example Projects
- Complex industrial projects
- Public utility capital improvement projects
- Multi-story high-rise buildings
- Health care facilities
| PROCESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant comes to City Hall | Collaborate with staff to determine level of project review. Note: The project level may be different than the Planning Review Process project level. |
||
| Meet Permit Counter Staff | Staff creates application in City’s permitting system, applicant pay plan check submittal fee, plans routed to applicable departments for plan review processing. | ||
| Plan Review Process | Plans are reviewed by Building and Safety plan check staff and other outside departments and divisions. | ||
| Historic Preservation Considerations |
* If property determined to be historic, sign-off required prior to issuance of permits. |
||
| Building Division Plan review completed | Plan corrections from each department are compiled and a Plan Check Correction List is created. Applicant is contacted; plan check is completed and ready for pickup. | ||
| Applicant picks up plans and correction list from City | SKIP | ||
| Applicant corrects plans to address correction list | |||
| Back check appointment with Plan Checkers | Design Professional meets with staff from each department or division with corrections to review revised plans and sign off Plan Check Correction List. | ||
| Application approved | Plan Check Correction List is signed off and approved by all departments. | ||
| Permits issued for construction | Applicant/contractor completes permit affidavit and presents all approved documents to permit counter for processing. | ||
Formal Reviews
All applications will be reviewed for completeness prior to acceptance for plan check submittal.
Days
21 business days
Example Projects
- New custom single family residence
- New standard tract home plans
- New apartment projects
- New commercial buildings
- New religious buildings
- New restaurant buildings
- Hotels/motels
- Parking garages
- New medical buildings
- Change of occupancy
| PROCESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant comes to City Hall | Collaborate with staff to determine level of project review. Note: The project level may be different than the Planning Review Process project level. |
||
| Meet Permit Counter Staff | Staff creates application in City’s permitting system, applicant pay plan check submittal fee, plans routed to applicable departments for plan review processing. | ||
| Plan Review Process | Plans are reviewed by Building and Safety plan check staff and other outside departments and divisions. | ||
| Historic Preservation Considerations |
* If property determined to be historic, sign-off required prior to issuance of permits. |
||
| Building Division Plan review completed | Plan corrections from each department are compiled and a Plan Check Correction List is created. Applicant is contacted; plan check is completed and ready for pickup. | ||
| Applicant picks up plans and correction list from City | SKIP | ||
| Applicant corrects plans to address correction list | |||
| Back check appointment with Plan Checkers | Design Professional meets with staff from each department or division with corrections to review revised plans and sign off Plan Check Correction List. | ||
| Application approved | Plan Check Correction List is signed off and approved by all departments. | ||
| Permits issued for construction | Applicant/contractor completes permit affidavit and presents all approved documents to permit counter for processing. | ||
Formal Reviews
All applications will be reviewed for completeness prior to acceptance for plan check submittal.
Days
7–14 business days
Example Projects
- Residential Additions/Alterations Residential Fire
- Repairs requiring plans
- Commercial Tenant Improvements
- Miscellaneous structures such as storage racks, cell towers, etc.
- Plan addendums
| PROCESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant comes to City Hall | Collaborate with staff to determine level of project review. Note: The project level may be different than the Planning Review Process project level. |
||
| Meet Permit Counter Staff | Staff creates application in City’s permitting system, applicant pays plan check submittal fee, plans routed to applicable departments for plan review processing. | ||
| Plan Review Process | Plans are reviewed by Building and Safety plan check staff and other outside departments and divisions. | ||
| Historic Preservation Considerations |
* If property determined to be historic, sign-off required prior to issuance of permits. |
||
| Building Division Plan review completed | Plan corrections from each department are compiled and a Plan Check Correction List is created. Applicant is contacted; plan check is completed and ready for pickup. | ||
| Applicant picks up plans and correction list from City | SKIP | ||
| Applicant corrects plans to address correction list | |||
| Back check appointment with Plan Checkers | Design Professional meets with staff from each department or division with corrections to review revised plans and sign off Plan Check Correction List. | ||
| Application approved | Plan Check Correction List is signed off and approved by all departments. | ||
| Permits issued for construction | Applicant/contractor completes permit affidavit and presents all approved documents to permit counter for processing. | ||
Formal Reviews
All applications will be reviewed for completeness prior to acceptance for plan check submittal.
Days
1–3 business days
Example Projects
- Simple over-the-counter permits that do not require plans
- Standard single-family home permits
- Residential Solar Photovoltaic
- Standard Sign Applications
| PROCESS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant comes to City Hall | Collaborate with staff to determine level of project review. Note: The project level may be different than the Planning Review Process project level. |
||
| Meet Permit Counter Staff | Staff creates application in City’s permitting system and either issues permit or routes application for processing. | ||
| Plan Review Process | |||
| Historic Preservation Considerations |
* If property determined to be historic, sign-off required prior to issuance of permits. |
||
| Building Division Plan review completed | SKIP | ||
| Applicant picks up plans and correction list from City | |||
| Applicant corrects plans to address correction list | |||
| Back check appointment with Plan Checkers | |||
| Application approved | |||
| Permits issued for construction | |||