New Single Family Dwellings And Detached Accessory Buildings

The items described below are the MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS for the specific projects. Additional plans and information may be required. The additional requirements will be determined by a screening of the plans by our staff. This screening can be done anytime before applying or at the time of application.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Plans shall be drawn to scale on substantial paper (minimum size of 18" x 24" ) and shall be legible and of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed.
  2. Plans shall be fully dimensioned and shall show, in detail, how the proposed work will conform to the requirements of the Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes as well as all other applicable laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations.
  3. Specifications or plans shall indicate the type and grade of all the materials used in the proposed work.
  4. Plans drawn in pencil or other readily changeable medium are unacceptable.
  5. Plans shall contain the job address, the name and address of the owner of the property and the name, address, and signature of the person who has prepared the plans.
  6. Plot plans shall be drawn to a scale of not less than 1" = 20'-0" or 1/16" = 1'-0.
  7. Floor plans, elevations, etc. shall be drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0.
  8. All dimensions shall be indicated clearly on the plans, a plans checker will not check the dimension.

NEW SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING:

  1. A topographic plat prepared and signed by a licensed land surveyor or a registered civil engineer shall be submitted for a permit for any new single family dwelling. For further requirements on the plat ask for our handout on surveys.
  2. Plot Plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1" = 20'-0" or 1/16" = 1'-0". The plot plan shall show:
    1. The size and shape of the property including dimensions.
    2. The location of all existing buildings and structures on the property, their dimensional location from property lines and each other.
    3. The location of any easements, driveways, power poles and lines, waterways, septic and drainage fields, storm drains, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and utility services and lines.
    4. The footprint of the dwelling clearly defined in relationship to the property lines and any existing building or structures.
  3. A grading and drainage plan, which indicates how the property is proposed to be graded and drained after the dwelling is built. The plan is also to include the proposed first floor finished elevation.
  4. A soil report and, in some cases, a geologic report prepared in accordance with Alameda County requirements may be required. For further information on soil and geologic report requirements ask for our handout on soil and geologic reports.
  5. Foundation plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0". Plan to show size and type of foundation system proposed.
  6. Exterior elevations drawn to a scale of not less 1/4" = 1'-0". Elevations to indicate the shape of the roof, roof pitch, and type of roof covering proposed. Elevations to also include ground line for use in determining the overall height of the building.
  7. Floor plan(s) drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0". Plan to indicate:
    1. The uses of each room,
    2. The size, location, and type of all doorways, windows, skylights, kitchen and bath fixtures and cabinets, electrical lighting and power outlets.
  8. Floor framing plan(s) drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0" indicating the size and spacing of floor joists, girders and beams.
  9. Cross section(s) drawn to a scale of not less than 3/8" = 1'-0". Cross section(s) to indicate how all the horizontal framing members are supported from the roof to the foundation, including bearing walls, beams and any intermediate floor or roof framing.
  10. Roof plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1/8"= 1'-0".
  11. Roof framing plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0" indicating the size and spacing of rafters and any beams supporting the roof structure.
  12. Structural calculations demonstrating the dwelling is in compliance with Chapter 16 of the Uniform Building Code are required when the structure does not meet the requirements of UBC Section 2326 "CONVENTIONAL LIGHT-FRAME CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS".
  13. Title 24, California State Energy Regulations, calculations and documentation. Forms CF-1R and the Mandatory measures shall be printed on the plans.

DETACHED ACCESSORY BUILDING:

  1. A topographic plat prepared and signed by a licensed land surveyor or a registered civil engineer shall be submitted for a permit for any new single family dwelling. For further requirements on the plat ask for our handout on surveys.

Note: If the accessory building is on a parcel which contains substantial existing development or there is a plat already on file for the property, a survey may not be required. Please contact our office for further information.

  1. Plot Plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1" = 20'-0" or 1/16" = 1'-0".The plot plan shall show:
    1. The size and shape of the property including dimensions.
    2. The location of all existing buildings and structures on the property, their dimensional location from property lines and each other.
    3. The location of any easements, driveways, power poles and lines, waterways, septic and drainage fields, storm drains, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and utility services and lines.
    4. The footprint of the new building clearly defined in relationship to the property lines and any existing building or structures.
  2. Foundation plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0". Plan to show size and type of foundation system proposed.
  3. Exterior elevations drawn to a scale of not less 1/4" = 1'-0". Elevations to indicate the shape of the roof, roof pitch, and type of roof covering proposed. Elevations to also include ground line for use in determining the overall height of the building.
  4. Floor plan(s) drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0".Plan to indicate:
    1. The uses of each room,
    2. The size, location, and type of all doorways, windows, electrical lighting and power outlets.
  5. Floor framing plan(s) drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0" indicating the size and spacing of floor joists, girders and beams.
  6. Cross section(s) drawn to a scale of not less than 3/8" = 1'-0". Cross section(s) to indicate how all the horizontal framing members are supported from the roof to the foundation, including bearing walls, beams and any intermediate floor or roof framing.
  7. Roof plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1/8"= 1'-0".
  8. Roof framing plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0" indicating the size and spacing of rafters and any beams supporting the roof structure.
  9. Structural calculations demonstrating the dwelling is in compliance with Chapter 16 of the Uniform Building Code are required when the structure does not meet the requirements of UBC Section 2326 "CONVENTIONAL LIGHT-FRAME CONSTRUCTION PROVISIONS".
  10. Title 24, California State Energy Regulations, calculations and documentation. Forms CF-1R and the Mandatory measures shall be printed on the plans.