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Is a plan review necessary for you to comply with the California Retail Food Code? Learn when you need a plan review by our office. 

Plan review application steps for a fixed food facility
Plan review processing and fee payment
Required steps after your plans are approved
Resources to help you pass plan review
Stay compliant

Already submitted your plan check application?

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Plan review application steps for a fixed food facility

  1. Complete the Plan check application.
  2. Complete the Food facility plan submission checklist form.

    Gather a complete, legible set of proposed design plans that includes:
    1. Scope of work
    2. Equipment plan
    3. Finish Schedule
    4. Mechanical schedule
    5. Plumbing
    6. Electrical
    7. Total number of Type 1 hoods, if applicable
    8. Total number of Type 2 hoods, if applicable
    9. Proposed menu
    10. Proposed equipment specifications sheets from manufacturers.
  3. You may submit the application package by email or in-person at our office between 
    7:30 am and 4:15 pm Monday through Friday.

Review the Food facility plan review checklist to help you prepare and pass plan review.

Plan review processing and fee payment

  1. We process plan review submissions in the order of we receive them. They will undergo a thorough review for completeness. Incomplete submissions will be rejected.
  2. Once we accept your application, we issue you an invoice for the initial plan review fees based on scope of work. Follow the directions on the invoice to pay for the initial plan review fees. 

    We will not begin work and projects will not be placed into the review queue until application items are complete and payment received. Plans with no payment will be discarded after 10 business days.
  3. After we receive your payment, an inspector will review your application. This review may require up to 20 business days and the inspector will either approve or request revisions of your plans.  
  4. If revisions are required, you will be required to resubmit your plans based on the requirements outlined in a revisions request letter.
  5. If your plans have been reviewed and approved, submit two (2) additional sets of plans for approval stamping. Once all plans have been stamped, you will be required to submit the two (2) sets of plans to the applicable jurisdiction’s planning and building department.

Separate plan check applications and fees will be required for additional operations within the main food facility. Examples include a deli or sushi kiosk within a grocery store, remote storage rooms for restaurants, and coffee bars and break rooms at corporate cafeterias. Additional fees and requirements may apply. 

We will not provide plan review services until due fees have been paid in full. 

Required steps after your plans are approved

  1. Call our office at 408-918-3400 or email us to make three inspection appointments at the following stages of the construction or remodel:
    1) Preliminary – framing and plumbing only
    2) Pre-final – finishes including flooring and walls
    3) Final – construction is complete and all equipment is operational. 
    No food is allowed onsite unless discussed with your plan review inspector during pre-final inspection. 
  2. Pay all plan review fees in full before scheduling a final inspection.
  3. Complete the permit to operate application.  The application will be provided at or before the final inspection.  Submit the application package by email or in-person at our office between 7:30 am and 4:15 pm Monday through Friday.
  4. An invoice for the operating permit will be sent to you after the final inspection.  Follow the directions on the invoice and pay for the operating permit fees.  

Resources to help you pass plan review

Stay compliant

Once your business is operational, be sure to stay on top of all food safety requirements and best practices.

Food safety certification
Placarding and scoring program
Food safety library