Building Plan Review Checklist Guide 2025

A building plan review checklist is the backbone of the permit approval process. Whether you're an architect submitting plans, a contractor preparing for construction, or a building official reviewing documents, understanding what's on this checklist can mean the difference between a smooth approval and weeks of delays.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down exactly what gets checked during a building plan review, share best practices for passing on the first submission, and show you how modern AI tools are revolutionizing this traditionally manual process.

What is a Building Plan Review Checklist?

A building plan review checklist is a systematic document used by building departments and plan review professionals to verify that construction documents comply with applicable building codes, zoning requirements, and local ordinances.

These checklists ensure that:

All required information is present on the drawings
The design meets minimum code requirements for safety
Structural systems are properly engineered
Fire and life safety provisions are adequate
MEP systems comply with applicable codes

Essential Plan Review Checklist Categories

1. Architectural Review Items

The architectural review ensures the building design meets occupancy, accessibility, and egress requirements.

- Building occupancy classification
- Construction type and allowable area
- Egress paths and exit widths
- Stair dimensions and handrails
- Door and window schedules
- Room dimensions and ceiling heights
- ADA accessibility compliance
- Finish schedules and fire ratings

2. Structural Review Items

Structural review verifies the building can safely resist all applied loads including gravity, wind, and seismic forces.

- Foundation design and soil bearing
- Framing plans and member sizes
- Braced wall lines and shear panels
- Connection details and hardware
- Load calculations (dead, live, snow)
- Seismic design category
- Wind speed and exposure
- Special inspection requirements

3. Fire & Life Safety Items

Fire and life safety review ensures occupants can safely evacuate and firefighters can access the building.

- Fire separation distances
- Fire-rated assemblies
- Smoke and fire dampers
- Sprinkler system requirements
- Fire alarm and detection
- Emergency egress windows
- Smoke compartmentalization
- Fire department access

4. Plumbing Review Items

Plumbing review ensures proper water supply, drainage, and fixture compliance.

- Fixture counts and locations
- Water supply pipe sizing
- Drainage and vent sizing
- Water heater specifications
- Gas piping diagram
- Backflow prevention
- Grease trap requirements
- Medical gas systems

5. Electrical Review Items

Electrical review verifies safe power distribution and compliance with the electrical code.

- Service size and panel location
- Circuit schedules
- GFCI and AFCI protection
- Outlet and switch locations
- Lighting plans
- Emergency power systems
- EV charging provisions
- Low voltage systems

6. Mechanical Review Items

Mechanical review ensures proper HVAC design and indoor air quality.

- HVAC equipment sizing
- Duct layout and sizing
- Ventilation calculations
- Make-up air requirements
- Exhaust systems
- Refrigerant piping
- Equipment clearances
- Energy compliance

7. Energy Code Compliance

Energy review verifies the building meets minimum efficiency standards.

- Envelope insulation R-values
- Window U-factor and SHGC
- HVAC efficiency ratings
- Lighting power density
- Solar-ready provisions
- Heat pump requirements
- Energy compliance forms
- HERS verification

Top 10 Reasons Plans Get Rejected

Based on our analysis of thousands of plan reviews, here are the most common issues that cause rejections:

1Missing or incomplete title block information

2Egress window dimensions not shown or non-compliant

3Stair dimensions missing (riser height, tread depth, width)

4Braced wall lines not identified on floor plans

5Energy compliance forms incomplete or missing

6Structural calculations not provided or inadequate

7Fire-rated assemblies not properly detailed

8Electrical panel location not code-compliant

9Plumbing fixture counts not matching occupancy

10Missing accessibility features or dimensions

For an in-depth guide on each of these issues with code references and proven solutions, see our detailed article: Top 10 Reasons Building Plans Get Rejected (And How to Avoid Them)

How AI is Transforming Plan Review Checklists

Traditional plan review is time-consuming and prone to human error. A typical residential plan review takes 8-10 hours and catches only about 11% of code violations. AI-powered tools like PlanCheckSolver are changing this paradigm.

Traditional Review

- 8-10 hours per plan set
- 11% average catch rate
- Varies by reviewer experience
- Paper-based checklists
- Manual code lookups

AI-Powered Review

- 10 minutes per plan set
- 97% catch rate
- Consistent every time
- Digital, searchable reports
- Automatic code references

In our case study comparing AI vs. human plan review, PlanCheckSolver identified 814 code compliance issues compared to just 93 found by traditional reviewers - catching 8x more errors in a fraction of the time.

Best Practices for Passing Plan Review

Use a Pre-Submission Checklist

Review your plans against a comprehensive checklist before submission. This catches obvious issues early.

Include All Required Sheets

Ensure your plan set includes site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections, details, and all specialty sheets (structural, MEP, energy).

Reference Specific Code Sections

When making code-related notes, cite the specific code section. This helps reviewers verify compliance quickly.

Run AI Pre-Check

Use AI tools to identify issues before submitting to the building department. This dramatically reduces revision cycles.

Automate Your Plan Review Checklist

Stop spending hours on manual checklist reviews. PlanCheckSolver automatically checks your plans against building codes and generates comprehensive compliance reports in minutes.

Try Free Plan Check

Building Plan Review Checklist: The Complete Guide for 2025