OasisStudio Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 I just got a call from a potential client looking for someone to get their plans up to the city's requirements. I've done plans for Modoc County CA (look on a map, it's got 3,900 sq mile, 9,000 people, and zero Walmarts), but I have no experience with the more populous cities. I'm set up to do CA energy calcs. I'd really like to get the experience and the job. I guess I'm wondering if I should even try, or if I should refer him to one of you guys. Is Irvine going to be pretty straight forward if I just give them what they're asking for, or am I wasting this guy's time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRAWZILLA Posted Thursday at 07:23 PM Share Posted Thursday at 07:23 PM (edited) Download the Irvine cover sheet, fill it out, that's what they like to use, or it will be a correction. Other than that, they are pretty standard. If you do some California jobs, you shouldn't have any problems. Engineering is a must t though. I've done hundreds of projects there over the years. Don't forget everything here is 2025 California codes, and the wonderful Cal -green crap. Edited Thursday at 07:26 PM by DRAWZILLA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gawdzira Posted Sunday at 05:36 PM Share Posted Sunday at 05:36 PM What Perry said and also, don't be surprised if you are going to be hiring a civil engineer to design the grading and storm water management. I am not sure about Irvine but for most of the other areas where I am working in California, this is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe_Carrick Posted Sunday at 11:34 PM Share Posted Sunday at 11:34 PM 5 hours ago, Gawdzira said: What Perry said and also, don't be surprised if you are going to be hiring a civil engineer to design the grading and storm water management. I am not sure about Irvine but for most of the other areas where I am working in California, this is a must. Yes, Alan is correct. Interestingly I just pulled out a permit set for a log home in Big Bear California which was done on (10 ) 12"x18" sheets in 2024. Today it couldn't be done in less than (25) 24"x36" sheets. Just 3 years ago I could design and get approval of a Septic System. Today a licensed PE is required. Some cities are requiring a Civil Engineer for a grading permit for over 50 yds cut and fill. California is not a dream !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renerabbitt Posted Monday at 08:55 PM Share Posted Monday at 08:55 PM On 1/7/2026 at 5:11 PM, OasisStudio said: guy's time? I think I remember that you bought my X17 templates? If so then change the reference plan file for spec to the CBC reference file and that will setup the correct spec on G1. Those templates were build for California first so just lookup Irvine's requirements and go from there. I personally set the expectation that I will receive one revision. It makes me more efficient...instead of chasing a bunch of one-off obscure requirements from a contracted plan-checker I just let them come back to me with what they need Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OasisStudio Posted Monday at 11:28 PM Author Share Posted Monday at 11:28 PM Thanks to everyone for the help! That sounds very doable. Yes, @Renerabbitt, I've got those templates. Sweet. Now I'll just wait and see if I hear from him again. We did some work for someone in Oregon a while ago, and he said it's a good thing there's a law against killing contractors, because if there wasn't, he would be hunting his contractor down. He had a house that was a few years old and already falling apart. So I get why there are requirements. But as good ol' Nassim Taleb says, the more red tape there is, the more layers there are for the really bad actors to hide in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now