Permit Glossary
Plan Review
Also known as: plan check, permit review, drawing review
The AHJ's examination of submitted construction drawings to verify compliance with building codes before a permit is issued.
Plan review (also called plan check) is the process by which a building department's staff examiners review construction documents — drawings, specifications, energy calculations, and supporting materials — to confirm they comply with applicable codes before issuing a permit. Review cycles can range from same-day over-the-counter approval to several weeks for complex commercial projects. Most Texas municipalities offer expedited review for an additional fee. Failed reviews result in correction notices requiring resubmittal, which extends the permit timeline.
Why it matters for contractors
The length of a plan review cycle directly affects when a permit issues and when subcontractors will be needed — knowing typical review times per AHJ helps contractors forecast lead windows more accurately.