Replacing or adding equipment - plan check process

Read:  

• Food plan check process
• Plan check guide for food facilities

If applicable, meet the requirement for outdoor food area:

• Outdoor barbecue (BBQ) guidelines

Your plans need to be drawn to scale of 1/4" to 1' and show the existing and proposed floor plan and the existing and proposed equipment. Use the equipment only plan submission checklist to make sure your plans include all of the required information. If you miss anything, we will not be able to accept your application.

Get more details on how to prepare your plans in the plan check guide for food facilities.

Reviewing some examples of food facility applications will also give you a sense of how to design your project.

• Floor plan example
• Equipment checklist example
• Room finish schedule

If you have any questions, please call our office 415-473-6907.

You need to fill out:

• Food facility plan check application
• Equipment only plan submission checklist 
• Food facility data sheets
• Specialized processing questionnaire, if applicable
• Refrigeration calculations, if changing menu or reducing refrigeration

Get color photos or samples of all materials you'll use for finishing each room if installing a walk-in cooler/freezer, cabinetry, buffet or self-service station.

We need to know the materials you will use for:

• Floor
• Walls
• Base cove (trim on the wall that meets the floor)
• Ceiling
• Cabinetry
• Countertops

You can get more information in our handouts:

• Accepted flooring materials 
• Accepted wall and ceiling materials
   

We need color photos - not physical samples - of common materials like:

• Eco-grip
• Fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP)
• Quarry tiles
• Stainless steel
• Laminate (however, please specify the color on the finish schedule)
   

We need physical samples of:

• Acoustical ceiling tiles
• Commercial sheet vinyl floor
• Epoxy floor

Arrange all of your samples on a material sample board that is 11 inches by 17 inches or smaller. Make sure the samples are securely fastened to the board.

Please make sure:

• Samples and photos are labeled with the same name you used on the Room Finish Schedule in the plans.
• The color and texture of the material are clear in the photo — if they’re not, we will need a physical sample.

Request a food facility pre-submittal plan check meeting (Optional)

For a fee, our team will spend up to 1 hour to look over your application, plans, and documents to make sure they’re complete before you submit them.

This can save you time later. You can fix any problems before you start the application process.

Just remember that we’re not formally reviewing your project or making a decision to accept or reject it. We’re just providing feedback to help you improve your application before you turn it in.

Make sure you haven’t forgotten anything!  Refer to the equipment only plan submission checklist it tells you everything you need to submit. Below is a quick list.

You must submit all application materials at the same time. If you forget a required part of the application, we might not be able to accept your application and you will need to resubmit.

• 1 set of plans
• Food facility plan check application
• Equipment only plan submission checklist 
• Food and drink menu for your facility
• Specification sheets 
• Food facility data sheets
• Specialized processing questionnaire, if applicable
• Refrigeration calculations, if applicable
• Material sample board
• Any other required documentation

Currently, we are unable to accept electronic submissions for plan review. 

Deliver or mail your food plan check application, checklist, and fee to us using the contact information and office hours on this page. To pay by credit card, call our office.

Please note that applications won't be processed until the fee is received. 

If you choose to submit your application in person, please arrive at least an hour before closing time to allow for processing.