Zoning Glossary

Plan Check

Plan check is the phase of the building permit process in which a building department's plan examiners review submitted drawings and documents for compliance with applicable building codes, zoning standards, and local requirements before a permit is issued. Examiners verify that proposed construction meets structural, fire, energy, and egress requirements as documented on the submitted plans.

Permits

In Practice

Most residential projects receive at least one correction cycle during plan check — a list of revisions or additional information the examiner requires before approving the plans. Addressing all corrections completely and accurately on resubmittal reduces the total number of review cycles and shortens the overall permit timeline. Simple, clearly-defined project types may bypass the full plan check cycle through expedited over-the-counter permit pathways that some cities offer.

Related Terms

Related Guides

Source: PropertyZoned Zoning Guide — How to Apply for a Building Permit: Step-by-Step Guide. Last verified April 5, 2026.

Last updated: April 5, 2026
Plan Check — Zoning Term Definition | PropertyZoned