Building Permits
A building permit is required for all campus construction projects. Capital Planning, Design, and Construction (CPDC) is mandated to enforce building, life-safety, and accessibility codes for all campus construction projects. All design and construction must be in compliance with the latest edition of the California Building Code (CBC). A Building Permit is required by the CBC whenever a building or structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, repaired, improved, removed, converted, or demolished.
All campus departments, auxiliaries, vendors, or students proposing to undertake construction projects with their own funds must have their project reviewed and approved by CPDC and have a Building Permit issued before soliciting bids for the construction of the project.
WHEN IS A PERMIT REQUIRED?
The California Building Standards Code (Title 24, 2007 Edition) states that no building or structure, with very few exceptions, shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, or demolished without a building permit issued and approved by the campus Deputy Building Official.
- Any activity that may add, alter or modify ADA requirements
- Building additions, alterations, renovations and/or space improvements
- Electrical, mechanical, plumbing or building additions or alterations
- Activities involving buildings or roof structures
- Any underground or overhead work near or involving major infrastructure
INSTRUCTIONS
- Complete the application section of the form only. Plan review and building permit sections will be completed by CPDC.
- Print and return completed application along with original reproducible plans and specifications and one (1) copy of each to CDPC (Corporation Yard, 2nd floor). Plans and specifications shall be fully approved by the State Fire Marshall (SFM) and Division of State Architect (DSA), if applicable, prior to submitting for a building permit.
- A building permit will be issued and returned along with original reproducible plans and specifications upon CPDC approval.
- One (1) set of approved plans and specifications shall be available on the project site at all times.
Building Permit Application
PROCESS
Submit Drawings and Specifications
All projects must have drawings and specifications prepared by a California licensed architect or engineer. CPDC will select the architect on behalf of campus departments, and the cost will be paid from the project funds.
Auxiliaries and vendors are responsible for the selection and procurement of the architect and payment for their services. Architects must be selected from The California State University (CSU) Prequalified Architects Database (SUAM 9204.02)
Planning Review
Projects that visually impact the campus, affect the utilization of programmed space or campus operations must be reviewed by CPDC to assure that the project conforms to university standards, policies, and programs. CPDC is responsible for selecting the architect and coordinating with other university departments.
Code Compliance Review
All projects involving new construction, alterations, or remodeling must be approved by the Division of the State Architect (DSA) and the State Fire Marshal (SFM) before a Building Permit can be issued by CPDC. The project architect and CPDC are responsible for submitting the drawings and specifications to those agencies for approval. For certain types of projects, other agency approvals may additionally be required (see "Agency approvals" below). CPDC will schedule time for agency review and will contact the agencies directly regarding review times, procedures, and fees. The applicant is responsible for all agency fees.
Building Permit
After obtaining all required agency approvals, the applicant shall complete a building permit application form. The applicant submits to CPDC the completed application along with the agency-approved drawings and specifications.
CPDC will issue a Building Permit for the project upon receipt and verification of the following items:
- Drawings and specifications are approved by DSA, SFM, and other agencies as required
- Drawings and specifications conform with university standards, policies, and programs
- Payment (2%) of Construction Inspection fee (see Construction Inspection below)
- Payment (7%) of Project Administration fee, when applicable (see Project Administration below)
Bidding
All public works contracts over $5,000 are subject to Public Contract Code requirements for advertising, bidding, and contract award. The bid period is approximately four weeks, and all bidding costs are paid for from project funds.
Construction
All construction shall be performed by a contractor possessing a valid and proper California business license, who is fully compliant with all required insurance provisions.
Construction Inspection
All projects must be inspected during construction by a certified inspector. The construction inspector will be responsible for assuring that all construction is in accordance with the approved drawings and specifications and in compliance with all applicable codes. CPDC will assign a qualified construction inspector for each project. CPDC will assess a construction inspection fee of two percent (2%) based on the probable estimate of construction cost, which shall be paid prior to issuance of the Building Permit.
Project Administration
CPDC will provide the following project administration services:
- Selection of the design professional and administration of their contract
- Design and construction document coordination
- Bidding of the project
- Recommendation for award of the construction contract
- Day-to-day administration of the construction contract
- Project closeout
Non-state funded projects utilizing CPDC project administration services will be assessed a fee of seven percent (7%) based on the probable estimate of construction cost, which shall be paid prior to issuance of the Building Permit.
AGENCY APPROVALS
Accessibility Compliance
All new construction, alterations, or remodeling projects must be in compliance with state and federal accessibility codes. Drawings and specifications must be approved by the Division of the State Architect (California Code of Regulations, Title 24). Prior to submitting drawings to DSA for review, the project architect should coordinate with CPDC for additional campus-specific information that will be needed for DSA approval. Information regarding DSA's plan review procedure and fees are available on the Division of the State Architect website.
California State Fire Marshal
Drawings and specifications for all new construction, alterations, or remodeling projects must be submitted directly by the project architect to the State Fire Marshal for approval (California Code of Regulations Titles 19 & 24). Information regarding plan review procedures is available on the Office of the State Fire Marshal website.
San Francisco Department of Public Health
Projects involving the preparation, handling, or sale of food must also be approved by the Environmental Health Section of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Permit forms and fee information are available on the San Francisco Department of Public Health website.