Guidelines for Large Projects
This pamphlet has been created for large building projects within the City of Emeryville. It is a brief outline of some of the procedures and considerations relevant to large-scale projects.
As of January 1, 2008 codes effective in the City of Emeryville are the 2007 California Building, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Energy codes, and the 2006 International Existing Building Code, International Property Maintenance Code.
(As amended by the State of California.)
DESIGN CRITERIA applicable to all Emeryville projects:
- Wind zone: 85mph
- Wind exposure "B"- East of the freeway
- Wind exposure "C" - West of the freeway
- Seismic Loads - ASCE-7-05
- Rain intensity: 3 in./hour
- The 2007 California Codes will be enforced beginning January 1, 2008.
The City of Emeryville lies between 2 km-10 km from the Hayward fault. Projects in the City of Emeryville will be significantly affected seismic events.
Preliminary Meetings
Project design teams are encouraged to meet with the Building Official and the plan check engineer in the early stages of the project in order to discuss significant code issues that will impact the project. By working out potential problems early, applicants can usually proceed more efficiently through the plan review stage of a project. Meetings may be scheduled with the Building Division by calling (510) 596-4310.
Requirements For Drawings
Drawing size 24 x 36 - 3 sets of plans
Drawing size 30 x 42 - 3 sets of plans (Once plans are approved 2 additional half-size sets are required).
All drawings shall be stamped and wet signed by the architect or engineer of record. One additional set of floor plans is required for the County Assessor.
Fast Track Foundation Only Permits
An applicant may request a partial permit before the plans and specifications for the entire building have been submitted or approved. If a partial permit is issued the permit holder shall proceed at his or her own risk, without assurance that the permit for the entire building or structure will be granted. Applications for foundation-only permits shall include the following:
- Complete plans for site grading.
- A current soils report. Any special mitigation required by this report shall be addressed. Soils report shall also assess corrosiveness of the soil.
- Foundation plans shall include underground electrical and plumbing layouts.
- Structural plans and calculations that are 85% complete shall be submitted with the foundation package.
- The information in the foundation package must be adequate to verify the following:
All loading must be examined
Lateral system must be fully developed
- Architectural plans that are 15% complete shall be submitted with the foundation plans. Architectural plans shall include the following:
- A dimensioned site plan showing building location and required parking.
- Basic Building Code data such as proposed occupancies, types of construction, number of stories, building height, allowable floor area calculations, proposed floor areas, etc.
- All site accessibility issues including accessible route of travel from public way to the building entrances.
- Complete schematic design drawings showing the occupancies of all areas.
- Complete exiting plan including stair enclosures and exit ways shall be provided.
- A storm water pollution prevention plan shall be submitted prior to permit issuance.
- Compliance with the Art in Public Places Ordinance shall be demonstrated at the time of application for the first building permit.
- Final clearances for soil or water contamination mitigation and/or special conditions for workers at the site shall be demonstrated.
- A letter from the soils engineer indicating that the foundation plans are in conformance with the recommendations of the soils report is required prior to issuance of permit.
- Additional fees will be required for this service.
Partial Building Permits
The Building Division may issue partial building permits other than foundation permits. Sometimes it is expedient to issue separate structural permits as well. If an applicant wishes to subdivide a building permit in this manner, the first permit application must be accompanied by a schedule of all planned submittals for the project. Additional fees will be required. (EXCEPTION: Tenant Improvement projects)
Limitations On Partial Building Permits
Partial permits for plumbing, electrical and mechanical work will not be issued for a single project. Underground and site utilities shall be shown on foundation plans and shall be a part of that permit.
Expedited Permits
The City does not have a program to expedite plan review but we are willing to work with applicants and are sensitive to their needs. For the review of large projects the City contracts with outside consultants.
Architects and engineers may contact the assigned consulting plan check engineer directly to discuss technical questions pertinent to the project. Project owners, developers, and plans expediters may request updates on plan review status from the Building Division only.
Fees
A schedule of fees for a project is prepared for the applicant during the planning phase of a project. Preliminary Permit fees are based on building area, type of construction, use, number of dwelling units and number of plumbing fixtures. If any of these factors has been changed on the final plans, the fees will change.
Questions about fee calculations should be asked prior to permit issuance. Any questions about fees calculations should come from the project developer and should be directed to the Chief Building Official.
Inspection Services
A single inspector will usually be assigned to each project. A secured office area with power and lighting shall be provided at the construction site for the inspector. This can be a desk in one of the job trailers. The inspector will maintain an approved set of plans as well as other documents relevant to the project on site. The general contractor is required to designate a single individual who will be responsible for submitting all inspection requests. Inspection requests shall be phoned to the Building Division the day before the inspection is required. The inspector will only make those inspections that have been properly scheduled.
Our inspectors are expected to be pro-active in the performance of their duties and to bring to the attention of the contractor, plan check engineer and/or the Chief Building Official any items which could result in a problem in the field. So that the inspector can maintain this pro-active role, all RFI's, Bulletins and any other changes or amendments to the approved plans shall be routed to the inspector in a timely fashion for a review the scope of changes. He/she will approve or authorize minor changes and/or clarifications. Any changes or RFI's determined to require further review shall be submitted to the Building Division by the contractor. A plan checker will be available one morning a week to do over-the- counter review of changes to approved plans. There will be an additional fee for this review.
The inspector will not make any inspections unless there are accurate, approved drawings for the items to be inspected.
The mission of the Emeryville Building Division is to provide information and assistance to those planning a construction project in the City of Emeryville, as well as providing timely services for projects already under construction.
The Building Division would like to be considered members of the project team. We want to be used as a resource to help you get your project built.
City Offices Are Located At
1333 Park Avenue
Emeryville, CA 94608
Building Division - 510-596-4310
Counter 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m
Chief Building Official – Victor R. Gonzales
Building Inspector -Charles Greer
Plan Checker/ Permit Technician – Courtney Barrett
Fire Department - 510-596 - 3750
Deputy Fire Marshall - George Warren
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