SB 820

This bill creates an exemption from the examination requirement for certain

building plans and plumbing plans and modifies other aspects of the building plan

review process.

Under current law, essential drawings, calculations, and specifications

(building plans) for public buildings, public structures, and places of employment

(commercial buildings) and plumbing plans and specifications (plumbing plans) for

plumbing installations, additions, or alterations (plumbing systems) must be

examined for compliance with the rules promulgated by the Department of Safety

and Professional Services.

The bill creates an exception from building plan examination requirements.

Under the bill, DSPS may not require the submission or examination of building

plans for a commercial building that 1) is a single story containing less than 200,000

cubic feet of volume; 2) is not classified by DSPS as intended for certain occupancies

and uses, including high hazard uses and educational uses; and 3) a registered

architect, registered professional engineer, or designer permit holder prepares and

signs, dates, and seals or stamps the building plans.

The bill also creates a similar exception for plumbing plan examination

requirements. Under the bill, DSPS may not require the examination of plumbing

plans for a plumbing system that 1) involves no more than 25 plumbing fixtures; 2)

is in connection with a building or structure that is not classified by DSPS as

intended for certain occupancies and uses, including high hazard uses and

educational uses; and 3) a registered architect, registered professional engineer, or

designer permit holder prepares and signs, dates, and seals or stamps, or a licensed

master plumber, licensed master plumber (restricted), or utility contractor signs and

dates, the plumbing plans.

Under current law, DSPS must fix and collect fees that, as closely as possible,

equal the cost of examining building plans. The bill provides that 50 percent of

building plan examination fees must be submitted as a nonrefundable deposit at the

time an appointment for examination of building plans is scheduled.