What plan check is
Plan check (or plan review) is the building department's review of your drawings before it issues a permit. Reviewers check the plans against the building code your jurisdiction has adopted — for most U.S. houses, a version of the International Residential Code (IRC) with local amendments — plus zoning, energy and sometimes fire rules.
When something is missing, unclear or non-compliant, you get plan check corrections: a numbered list of comments that must be resolved before approval. On residential projects, getting at least one round of corrections is common, not a sign of a bad plan.
How to read a correction letter
Letters vary by jurisdiction, but most include:
- Reviewer and discipline — building, structural, zoning, energy, fire, planning. Big cities often send separate lists per discipline.
- Numbered comments, often with a sheet reference and code section.
- Resubmittal instructions — whether to send the full set or only revised sheets, and whether clouds and a response letter are required.
- A deadline after which the application may expire.
Comments usually fall into three types: “show it” (the item exists but isn't on the drawings), “change it” (something doesn't comply) and “prove it” (provide calculations or a report).
Who fixes which comment
| Comment type | Examples | Who resolves it |
|---|---|---|
| Drafting & documentation | Dimensions, sections, details, schedules, smoke/CO, egress, notes | Designer or drafter |
| Structural | Beam/header calcs, lateral design, engineered foundation, truss calcs | Licensed engineer |
| Energy | REScheck / compliance reports, calculations | Energy consultant or designer, per local rules |
| Site / civil | Survey, grading, drainage, septic | Surveyor or civil engineer |
| Administrative | Signatures, HOA approval, fees, contractor info | Owner or contractor |
Sorting the list this way on day one is the single biggest time saver. See when you need a structural engineer.
How to clear your corrections in one round
- Order anything that needs an engineer or consultant immediately.
- Fix every drawing comment on the sheets — not only in the letter.
- Cloud and delta-tag each change; update revision numbers and dates.
- Make sure engineering documents and drawings match.
- Write a response to every comment with the sheet and detail reference (how to write it).
- Resubmit exactly the way the jurisdiction asks (resubmittal guide).
When a stamp is required, when it isn’t, and what reviewers look for on unstamped residential plans.
Read the guideAvoiding corrections next time
Most corrections come from plans that were drawn for marketing, not permitting — stock plans without local details, or sets missing sections and schedules. Before you submit, check the plan against our permit checklist and house plan checklist, or have it reviewed with a professional plan review.
What clearing plan check corrections costs
| Option | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Our Permit Correction Service | $499 flat for every drafting comment; +$199 for 48-hour Rush |
| Original designer or drafter | Often included for small items; hourly for larger changes |
| Structural engineer (if required) | Quoted separately by the engineer |
| Additional review fees | Some jurisdictions charge for review rounds after the first resubmittal |
Frequently asked questions
What does plan check corrections mean?
It is a list of comments from the building department’s plan reviewer describing what must be added, changed or clarified on your drawings before the permit can be issued.
Is it normal to get plan check corrections on a house?
Yes. At least one round of corrections is common on residential permits, especially with stock plans or first-time submittals.
How many rounds of plan check are typical?
Many residential projects clear in one or two rounds when every comment is answered completely on the drawings.
Can a drafter answer structural comments?
Not when the comment asks for calculations or engineered design. Those need a licensed engineer; the drafter then updates the drawings to match.
How much does it cost to fix plan check corrections?
Our Permit Correction Service is $499 flat for every drafting comment in one correction letter. Engineering is separate.