Commercial tenant improvements across California: the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and Sacramento
Tenant Improvement Permits in California
Who reviews your project, what California plan check requires and how to keep review moving.
Local building departments
Each California city runs its own plan check: LADBS in Los Angeles, the Department of Building Inspection in San Francisco, Development Services in San Diego, and building divisions in every other city. Unincorporated areas are reviewed by the county.
What plan check reviews
- Code analysis, floor plan and exits
- CBC Chapter 11B accessibility
- Title 24 Part 6 energy compliance
- CALGreen requirements
- Mechanical, electrical and plumbing
- Seismic bracing details
Other approvals
Fire sprinkler and alarm changes go to the fire authority. Food businesses need environmental health approval. Coastal zone exterior work can require coastal development review, and Lake Tahoe projects can need TRPA review.
Inspections and occupancy
Inspections follow the work, from rough-ins and seismic bracing to fire and building finals, including Title 24 acceptance test documentation. The city then issues a certificate of occupancy or final sign-off.
Planning a build-out?
Tell us the address, the square footage and your target opening date. A project manager will call you back with next steps.
Common questions
Do not see your question? Call and talk to a tenant improvement project manager.
Does every TI need a permit?
Most work beyond paint and carpet does.
How long does plan check take?
It varies by city and project.
Can review be expedited?
Some cities offer expedited plan check for a fee.
What is a certificate of occupancy?
The city’s approval that the space meets code for its use.
Ready to build out your space?
Send the address, square footage and target opening date. A California project manager will walk the space and return a written estimate.
California Tenant Improvement builds out leased commercial space for offices, medical practices, retailers, restaurants and industrial tenants across California.
Services
- Tenant Improvement General Contractor
- Design, Space Planning & Permitting
- Commercial Demolition
- Commercial Concrete
- Framing, Drywall & Acoustic Ceilings
- Commercial Plumbing
- Commercial Electrical
- Commercial Lighting
- Commercial HVAC
- Fire Sprinklers & Life Safety
- Low Voltage & Data Cabling
- Commercial Security Systems
- Access Control
- Commercial Roofing
- Storefront & Glazing
- Commercial Flooring
- Millwork & Casework
- Painting & Wall Coverings
- Commercial Elevators
- Commercial Signage
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