DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
BUILDING INSPECTION DIVISION

PLAN REQUIREMENTS: SMALL PROJECTS
A homeowner's guide to plan requirements for interior alterations, conversions, decks, patio, covers, and patio enclosure projects.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Plans shall be drawn or blueprinted on substantial paper (minimum size of 18" x 24" ) to scale and shall be legible and of sufficient clarity to indicate the nature and extent of the work proposed 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. The specifications or plans shall indicate the type and grade of all the materials used in the proposed work.
2. Plans drawn in pencil or other readily changeable medium are unacceptable.
3. The plans shall contain the address where the work is proposed to be done, the name and address of the owner of the property and the name, address, and signature of the person who has prepared the plans.

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.

INTERIOR ALTERATION OR CONVERSION OF NON-HABITABLE SPACE TO HABITABLE

Floor plan(s) of the area of the alteration or conversion AND THE ADJACENT ROOMS drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0". Plan to indicate the uses of each room and the size, location, and type of all doorways, windows, and skylights. Floor plan also to indicate all permanent counters, cabinets, appliances, electrical lighting and power outlets.

Note: If your project includes the conversion of a garage area to habitable space, a plot plan prepared in accordance with item 1 of DECKS, PATIO COVERS, AND PATIO ENCLOSURES is required. In addition to those requirements the plot plan is to indicate the proposed location of new off street parking to replace the parking eliminated due to the conversion of the garage. Consult with Alameda County Planning Department regarding off street parking requirements.

Plans to indicate all new, removed and existing walls and structural plans, sections and details indicating how support of the structure is accomplished for any bearing walls which are proposed to be removed.

DECKS, PATIO COVERS, AND PATIO ENCLOSURES

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. Indicate on the plot plan the size and location of the Deck, Patio Cover or Patio Enclosure in relationship to the property lines and existing buildings and structures.

For Decks and a Patio Cover or Patio Enclosure, which has a raised wood floor, provide a floor framing plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0", indicating size and spacing of floor joists, girders and beams.

For a Patio Enclosure provide a floor plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4" = 1'-0" include a floor plan of the adjacent rooms and the uses of each room and the size, location, and type of all doorways, windows and skylights within the rooms.

Foundation plan drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0". Plan to show size and type of foundation system proposed.

For a Patio Cover or Patio Enclosure provide a 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.

A cross section indicating how members are attached together and supported and how high the structure is above the ground.

For a Patio Enclosure provide exterior elevations drawn to a scale of not less than 1/4"=1'-0". Elevations to indicate the height and shape of the roof, roof pitch, and type of roof covering and the proposed ground line.

Note: Some of the above plans may be combined provided that all information required is clearly shown.

Click below for information on:

Note: Some files on this site are in PDF format.
* If you do not have Adobe Acrobat you can down load a free Adobe Acrobat reader.

• Inspection Scheduling Information * (164 Kb)
• Uniform Building Permit Application* (158Kb) - Information on applying for a building permit!
• How to obtain a permit
• When a permit is NOT required for a residential project
• Plan requirements for small projects
• Plan requirements for additions
• Plan requirements for new buildings
• Inspections required for permits
• Links to other building resources on the web