City of Walnut Creek
Home MenuCommercial Express Review
Commercial Express Review allows certain commercial tenant improvement projects to be potentially approved during a single meeting. The meeting is 90-min virtual meeting between the project team and City staff.
The service is offered on Tuesdays (except holidays) and is by-appointment-only.
Cost
A 50% surcharge of plan review fees is required. Learn more about fees.
Requirements
To qualify for the commercial express review service, the scope of work should meet these requirements:
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Projects must consist of interior work only.
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Minor structural work is allowed. This is limited to items such as non-bearing partition walls, equipment anchorage, duct and pipe bracing, or RTU replacement.
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The use or storage of hazardous materials is not allowed. Hazardous materials include but are not limited to electronic computer components (disk drives, memory chips, CPU chips, etc.), flammable and combustible finishes, liquid and gases, corrosive and toxic materials, and oxidizing materials.
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A change of use is not allowed unless approved prior to the appointment. Please note that office to medical office would be considered a change of use.
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Licensed medical clinics under OSHPD 3 requirements and hazardous materials laboratories are not allowed.
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If the project is for office use, the alteration area may be up to 20,000 square feet.
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If the project is for retail use, the alteration area may be up to 10,000 square feet.
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Hair and nail salons are not allowed.
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The expansion or alteration of an existing commercial restaurant kitchen is not allowed. Restaurant improvements need prior approval from the Contra Costa County Health Department and Contra Costa County Central Sanitary District. New alcohol service and the increase of alcohol service area (dining, bar, etc.) need prior approval by the Planning Division.
Commercial Express Review Process
The steps below outline the general process to apply for Commercial Express Review.
Apply for Commercial Express Review Service
1. Gather requirements
Before applying for commercial express review, contact the Planning Division to confirm all Planning Division requirements have been met.
Prepare a complete set of plans in pdf format, prepared, stamped and signed by licensed design professionals for each trade per the submittal requirements here.
Please note that plans deemed incomplete or below standard quality will not be eligible to proceed with commercial express review.
2. Submit building permit application
Submit a building permit application and upload plans and supporting documentation through our online Building permit portal:
- Please include the words “Commercial Express Review” at the beginning of the project description.
- Please include a copy of the contractor's bid in the supporting documents.
Submit plans to outside agencies for their concurrent review.
3. Request a commercial express review appointment
4. Screening
City staff will screen the plans per the commercial express review appointment request. If the project qualifies for commercial express review, instructions on how to schedule an appointment and a plan check fee invoice will be provided by email.
If the project does not qualify for commercial express review, City staff will provide next steps by email and the project will proceed with the regular review process.
5. Schedule a commercial express review appointment
Schedule an appointment using the instructions provided. City Staff will send virtual meeting invitations per the requested appointment time slot. The meeting must include the project architect and the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing designers or contractors.
6. Pay fees
Pay the plan check fees before the virtual meeting. If the fees are not paid in advance, the meeting will be cancelled.7. Plan review meeting and approval
Meet with City staff virtually to review the plans. If plans are not approved during the first meeting, comments will be provided during the meeting. Instructions for resubmittal and scheduling a recheck appointment will be provided by City staff until the plans are approved. Recheck appointments will be offered on Mondays.
8. Permit issuance
Once plans are approved, pre-issuance conditions, a permit fee invoice and permit issuance procedures will be sent through our online permitting portal.
Other agencies
Approval from outside agencies is required prior to permit issuance.
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
4005 Port Chicago Hwy, Suite 250
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 941-3300
Contra Costa County Health Services
2120 Diamond Blvd., Suite 200
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 692-2500
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
5019 Imhoff Place
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 229-7371
Contact
For more information, email: express@walnut-creek.org.