Richmond plan check and resubmittal guide
What we could verify about the City of Richmond’s permit office from government and permit portal pages, what California law says about plan check there, and how to answer a correction letter. Each fact links to its source.
The City of Richmond permit office
- Building Division: 510-620-6868 (richmondca.gov, checked October 31, 2026)
- Address: 450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804 (richmondca.gov, checked October 31, 2026)
- iMS permit portal
- Building department page
Links and facts checked on October 28, 2026.
Codes its letters cite
Building code named on the city’s pages: 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code.
Local amendments to the building code
Filed local amendments with the California Building Standards Commission (ordinance 01-26NS, 04-26NS).
Sections the City of Richmond changes from the state code (summaries in our words; read the ordinance for the exact text):
- CBC 103.1: Amended; see the ordinance
- CBC 105.3.2.1: Amended; see the ordinance
- CBC 105.5.2: Work on expired permits needs a new permit at half fee if unchanged; suspensions over one year need a full new permit.
- CBC 109.4.1: Amended; see the ordinance
- CBC 109.4.2: Legalization amnesty program for unpermitted accessory dwelling units and residential additions and remodels.
- CBC 109.4.2.1: States the purpose and intent of the dwelling unit legalization amnesty program.
- CBC 109.4.2.2: Legalization applies to residential projects built without a finalized permit before the program was enacted.
- CBC 109.4.2.3: Compliance procedure requires a Code Compliance Permit and engineer of record structural conformance certification.
- CBC 109.4.2.3.1: Applicant must first obtain a Code Compliance Permit to allow investigation and mapping of existing conditions.
- CBC 109.4.2.4: Amended; see the ordinance
- CBC 109.4.2.5: Amended; see the ordinance
- CBC 109.6: Amended; see the ordinance
The ordinance amends more sections than these.
The amendments: mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us
Richmond and Contra Costa County
Richmond is in Contra Costa County. See the Contra Costa County guide.
California rules every plan check here follows
These come from California law and state agencies, so they apply in Richmond as well. Each links to its source.
Building code in force
The 2025 edition of Title 24, the California Building Standards Code, has been in effect since January 1, 2026.
Source: California Building Standards Commission, checked October 31, 2026
Energy code
If your permit application was filed on or after January 1, 2026, the project has to meet the 2025 Energy Code.
Source: California Energy Commission, checked October 31, 2026
Energy forms with the application
A building permit application covered by the energy code (Part 6) must include at least one copy of the required energy compliance documents.
Source: California Energy Commission, 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, checked October 31, 2026
Green building code (CALGreen)
The 2025 edition of CALGreen, the state green building code (Part 11), took effect on January 1, 2026.
Source: California Building Standards Commission, checked October 31, 2026
ADU decision deadline
If the city or county has not approved or denied a complete application for an ADU or junior ADU within 60 days, the application is treated as approved (Gov. Code § 66317).
Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, ADU Handbook, checked October 31, 2026
ADU denials must explain the fix
When a city or county denies an ADU or junior ADU application, it must send written comments within 60 days that list each problem and explain how you can correct it.
Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, ADU Handbook, checked October 31, 2026
Building permits for approved housing projects
For housing projects that already have planning approval, the city or county has 15 business days to say whether a building permit application is complete, then 30 or 60 days, depending on how many units are proposed, to decide whether it meets the standards.
Source: California Department of Housing and Community Development, Housing Law Fact Sheets, checked October 31, 2026
What a good response to plan check corrections has
General guidance, not the City of Richmond’s own rules. Check its page before you resubmit.
- Answer every comment, in the reviewer’s order and numbering, so nothing is missed.
- Say plainly what you changed for each comment, or why no change is needed.
- Name the sheet and detail where each change is, so the reviewer can find it fast.
- Mark changes on the drawings (clouds or deltas are common) and keep sheet numbers the same.
- Send the response letter, the revised drawings and any new calculations together.
Other California city guides
How we help
Send us the whole correction letter. We draft a response to every comment and list the drawing changes sheet by sheet. Your first letter is free. You review each response, then you sign and submit to the City of Richmond yourself.
Cleared to Build is an independent service. We are not the City of Richmond and are not affiliated with it.
Upload your correction letterOnly one comment to answer? Try the free one-comment tool.
Questions
How do I respond to Richmond’s plan check corrections?
In general, answer every comment in a response letter that says what changed and on which sheet, then resubmit the revised drawings the way the City of Richmond asks. Check its own instructions first.
What should a resubmittal to Richmond include?
In general: a response letter answering each comment, the revised drawings with changes marked, and any new calculations or reports the comments ask for. The City of Richmond may ask for more, so check with it before you send.
How long does Richmond take to review a resubmittal?
For housing projects that already have planning approval, the city or county has 15 business days to say whether a building permit application is complete, then 30 or 60 days, depending on how many units are proposed, to decide whether it meets the standards. Ask the City of Richmond for its current review times.
Does Richmond charge for another plan review?
This guide doesn’t list fees. Ask Building Division at 510-620-6868 before you resubmit.
How many rounds of corrections can Richmond send?
This guide doesn’t list a limit. Answering every comment fully the first time is the surest way to fewer rounds; ask Building Division at 510-620-6868 if unsure.
Is Cleared to Build part of the City of Richmond?
No. Cleared to Build is an independent service, not affiliated with the City of Richmond or any permitting agency. You submit to the city yourself.