Plan Check

The Environmental Health - Plan Check unit reviews design and construction plans for all new and remodeled food facilities and public pools within Orange C to ensure they are constructed in accordance with state and local codes and standards. 

ABOUT US

Per the California Health and Safety Code, Section 114380, a person proposing to build or remodel a retail food facility must submit complete, easily readable plans drawn to scale and specifications to the enforcement agency, HCA Environmental Health, for review.

Plan review involves several steps: (1) an initial review of construction plans for compliance with codes and regulations; (2) subsequent reviews of revised plans to ensure corrections are made; (3) approval of plans to start construction; (4) conducting construction inspections; (5) final approval and issuance of a permit to operate.

Timelines from plan check application to permit to operate vary due to several factors, including: 

• Construction projects can range from:
  • simple, e.g., equipment upgrades or mass-produced facilities (“cookie-cutter”), to 
  • complex, e.g., plans involving many design elements like pools, food service, and hotels.
• Additional time may be required for secondary and subsequent revisions to correct plans.
• The owner or owner’s representative may need to coordinate with multiple stakeholders, such as the architectural firm, contractor, subcontractors, fire authorities, building and safety department, planning and development office, and others. 

The Plan Check unit provides the following services: Food, Pool, Body Art, Underground Storage Tanks, Site Mitigation.  For Food and Pool, you may remain on this page to learn more and submit plans. However, for the other services please visit their respective sites. 

STEP 1 - INFORMATION

Determine if plan submittal is required, learn about various services, and access resources. 

STEP 2 - PLAN SUBMITTAL & REVIEW

Now that you have learned about the services in Plan Check and decided on the type of service you need, you may proceed in initiating the Plan Check process. 

1. Pre-Submittal Consultation (Optional): For unique or complex food or pool projects, you may schedule a pre-submittal meeting with  a plan checker to go over your project. Consultation services are charged at the hourly rate. Click Here to book your appointment.  
2. Submitting Application: Ready to begin? Submit your plan check application online for all services except Underground Storage Tanks, Body Art, and Site Mitigation. For those, visit their respective pages to learn about current submittal processes. Submit Application Here. 
3. Uploading Plans: Once your application is reviewed, our team will email you upload links for your plans and supporting documents. Generally, the supporting documents would include: a menu and equipment specification sheets for food, and equipment specification sheets for pools. 
4. Payment: After upload, you'll receive an email with the assessed fees and payment instructions. To view current fees: Click Here. 
5. Review: Once payment is received, your plans enter the review queue. To expedite the review, you may also submit a request to expedite Click Here.   

The Plan Check team is here to guide you through the process and provide you help as need. You may check the status of your project by Clicking Here or you may reach out to the plan check general line or supervisors directly: 

Plan Checker on Duty plancheck@ochca.com (714)433-6074 

Supervisor, Ahed Saleh asaleh@ochca.com (714)433-6128

Supervisor, Annice Guadan aguadan@ochca.com (714)433-6124 

STEP 3 - INSPECTION & PROJECT CLOSE OUT

Upon the review and approval of plans, the construction phase may commence. The following steps will serve as a guide throughout the process subsequent to plan approval.

1. Plan Approval: Congratulations on the approval of your submitted plans, which allows you to initiate construction. It is the responsibility of the submitter to provide evidence of this approval to the city building department. Depending on the municipality, approved electronic plans may be acceptable. Nevertheless, it is imperative that a copy of our team's approved plans is maintained onsite, in addition to the set approved by the city.

2.Construction Inspection: When the project reaches approximately 80% completion, it is advisable to contact your designated plan checker to request a preliminary inspection. All projects with active service requests may qualify for up to two preliminary inspections and one final inspection. Please note that any subsequent inspections will incur an hourly fee. To review our current fee schedule, kindly click here.

3. Final Inspection: Following the completion of any required changes and when the plan checker is prepared to conduct a final inspection, the plan checker will direct the owner or contractor to complete a health permit application. This application, along with the corresponding payment, must be submitted prior to the final inspection being issued. The health permit is an annual requirement, and fees are invoiced on a yearly basis. It is important to understand that health permit fees are distinct from plan check fees. New projects and those that involve a change of ownership will necessitate a health permit submission.

4. Project Close Out: After the plan checker has performed the final inspection and the health permit fees have been settled, a copy of the job card must be provided to our plan check team in order to release the health permit. Further details will be provided by your designated plan checker during the final inspection.

(714) 433-6074
1241 E. Dyer Road, Suite 120, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Environmental Health Office Hours:
Reception Desk Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cashier (Payment) Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.