Plan Review Workflow – Permits

A brief online survey of the building plan review permit process confirmed that local planning departments have switched to accepting digital permit applications, or more specifically they accept PDF format plans. Some still accept paper as an alternative, but they appeared to be in the minority.

Each local authority will inevitably have its own processes and choice of software and systems. For example, San Francisco clearly uses Bluebeam, https://sf.gov/information/plan-review-process-bluebeam. But a quick search on the web shows other applications for the plan review process, I have posted a list of these near the end of this blog.

There will be various AHJ’s (Authority Having Jurisdiction) that need to view, review and authorize plans. They will need to see the details relevant to them and need to be able to markup plans and move the plans through the process. One city’s planning process listed the following departments as being in the plan review process:

  • City planning
  • Public works
  • Public utilities
  • Police
  • Fire
  • Health department
  • Parks & recreation

Here is the Phoenix, AZ workflow as an example:

Image result for permit plan review workflow

Which is effectively the same as the Folsom, CA workflow:

Image result for permit plan review workflow

Plan Review Software

The following is not an exhaustive list and there are presumably also a few bespoke systems.

Plans also pass through a workflow within the construction industry and equally, there are many applications tailored to those requirements.

Volanti

Volanti’s plan review tables are used by any of these departments and organizations. All of them provide very high resolution (4K Ultra-HD) interactive and ergonomic workspaces for the plan review process. The screen sizes are 32″, 43″, 55″ and 65″.

Volanti plan review family
Volanti’s plan review tables