Plan Review FAQ's

• What do I need to submit for plan review?

  Please refer to Submittal Requirements.

• What codes apply to my plans/constrcution documents?

  The Florida Building Code 7th Edition (2020), that includes Building, Existing Building, Residential, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing, Accessibility and Energy Conservation, 2020 National Electric Code, the 2020 Florida Fire Prevention Code, Florida Statutes Ch. 553, Construction Standards and Ch. 633, Fire Prevention and Control, Florida Administrative Rule 15C-1, Mobile Home and RV Installation, Florida Administrative Code Rule 9B.1, Manufactured Buildings, and the City of Venice Ordinance Ch. 90, Building and Building Standards are currently applicable to your construction documents.
  

• Do I need to pay a plan review fee?

  Yes, plan review fees are required. However, plan review fees are paid at the time of permit issuance unless a preliminary plan review is requested before a contractor is hired. In this case, plans may be submitted by the owner, the owners agent or architect and the plan review fees will be required at time of submittal.

• How long does a plan review take?

  Plan review time will vary depending on the scope of work and the clarity and accuracy of the drawings and/or construction documents. Most minor plan reviews can be processed in one or two days, most single family residence plan reviews can be processed in ten to fifteen days and most commercial plan reviews can be processed in thirty days. However, plan review turnaround times are expedited using the City's 'Online Permitting' service as plans and associated documents are distributed simultaneously upon submittal.  

• Who will be notified if the plans are deficient?

  The applicant will be notified by email if the plans and/or construction documents are deficient.

• What plans are required to be signed and sealed?

  Generally, for commercial and multi-family construction, all plans must be signed and sealed. However, a licensed P.E. is not required for mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings if the value of the system is less than $125,000 and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system does not exceed a 15 ton per system capacity or is designed to accommodate 100 or fewer people; an aggregate service capacity of 600 amps or less for residential and 800 amps or less for commercial is proposed; the plumbing system is design with fewer than 250 fixtures. For detached one- and two-family residential construction, owner-occupied structures will need a licensed design professional or contractor to sign plans for wind load calculations.

• When is plan review required?

  A plan review is required anytime construction drawings, specifications and/or other documents are needed to show that the location, nature and extent of the work proposed will conform to the provisions the Florida Building codes and all other relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. A plan review is NOT required for the replacement of existing mechanical units or water heaters, re-roofs (except for residential properties with a valuation of $300,000 or more) and minor electrical, plumbing and mechanical repairs.