California

Commercial Permitting Overview

California enforces one of the most comprehensive state-level building codes in the nation through Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, which includes energy efficiency (CALGreen), fire, and accessibility standards beyond the IBC. However, permitting is administered locally by cities and counties, each with its own fee schedules, development impact fees, and plan review timelines. CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) review can add significant time to larger projects. Major metros like Los Angeles and San Francisco have high-volume building departments where expediting expertise is essential to navigate queue times and correction cycles.

Health Department Overview

California health department approvals for food facilities are handled at the county level through local environmental health departments. Each county has its own plan review process, fee structure, and inspection schedule. The California Retail Food Code provides statewide standards, but counties can adopt additional requirements. Plan review typically takes 15–30 business days depending on county workload.