Government » Community Development Department » Permits » Building Permits

Preliminary Review

Preliminary review is an optional, but highly recommended, step in the review process. It allows you to get early and informal feedback before you submit an application for a project.

Preliminary review has the following benefits:

  • Gives you a better understanding of submittal requirements and the review process
  • Identifies potential project conflicts with City codes and guidelines before a formal application
  • Saves you money because you will be able to to refine drawings before a formal submittal
  • Saves you time because it will reduce the likelihood of an incomplete application
  • Provides you a general timeline for planning, engineering and building permit processing
  • Connects you with City staff who can help you submit your application

Preliminary review is not a substitute for formal staff review.

Preliminary Review Team

The Walnut Creek Preliminary Review Team (PRT) conducts preliminary review. This team includes staff from the following divisions and departments:

  • Planning
  • Engineering
  • Traffic
  • Code enforcement
  • Public safety

The review team does not include outside agencies (such as fire, sanitary, flood control, water districts). You will need to contact those agencies directly for their input.

Cost

There is a flat fee for preliminary review of multi-family or commercial development. Fees are waived for the initial review of a single-family home.

How to schedule a review

Follow these steps to submit your project for preliminary review.

1. Submit application

Complete and submit a preliminary review application form to DutyPlanner@walnut-creek.org. Your application should include:

  • A one-page written description of the project
  • A preliminary site plan drawn to scale
  • Preliminary building elevations

2. Preliminary Review Team review

The Preliminary Review Team meets every Tuesday morning. Applications submitted by 12:00 p.m. Wednesdays are typically reviewed by the PRT the following Tuesday.

3. Get comments from the Preliminary Review Team

You will get written comments within about one week of the PRT’s meeting date. These comments will cover:

  • Consistency with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance
  • Identification of ordinances, standards and policies applicable to the project
  • General design comments about site layout, circulation, architecture and grading
  • General engineering, transportation and building requirements for on and off-site improvements, frontage improvements, drainage, and vehicle/pedestrian circulation.

After you get these comments, you can request a follow-up meeting to discuss.

Forms and documents

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