Food facilities plumbing only plan check process

Read:

• Food plan check process 
• Plan check guide for food facilities
• California Retail Food Code – a.k.a. CalCode

Provide one (1) complete set of plans drawn to scale of 1/4" to 1'. The plan must be designated for construction only. The layout of the facility, including the location of existing equipment, must be included on the plans. If you don’t include all of the required information, we have to deny your application.

Get more details on how to prepare your plans in plan check guide for food facilities and the plumbing only plan review submission checklist.

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 example

If you have any questions, please ask email our food plan reviewers or call our office 415-473-6907. 

If your project involves plumbing work, like adding or modifying sinks, floor drains, or grease interceptors, you must contact your local sanitary district. Request a formal letter stating either: 

• The size of the grease trap or interceptor the are requiring and the fixtures that must be connected to it.

  OR

• Your facility is exempt from any requirements.

The sanitary district will need a preliminary set of plans showing plumbing and a complete menu. Obtaining this letter can take time. Please request it as soon as possible. We cannot process your application without it.

What if your project has a septic system?

Contact our office to speak with a Food Plan Reviewer prior to submittal to determine what will be needed. 

You may need to fill out one or more of these forms below and include with your food facility plan check application and the plumbing only plan review submission checklist.

• Storage water heater calculations or  On-demand water heater calculations, depending on the style of water heater you will have in your facility

Material samples are required when equipment is installed in a new area (without already approved finishes). 

As with other projects, we do not need physical samples for common materials like stainless steel, FRP, quarry tile, etc.  For these materials, just note on the application or through other documentation the finish materials in the proposed area.

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

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

For a fee, we offer a one-hour consultation to review your application, plans, and documents for completeness before submission. This can save you time and potential delays later by identifying and addressing any issues upfront. Please note that this consultation is not a formal review. We are not approving or rejecting your project. Instead, we are providing feedback to help you strengthen your application before official submission. 

Make sure you haven’t forgotten anything!  Refer to the plumbing only plan review submission checklist. - it tells you everything you need to submit.

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.

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.