Plans That Require an Architect or Engineer

For all types of properties
Updated 03/02/2026

REFERENCE
California Business and Professions Code Section 5537

Plans that are subject to Section A below must be signed by a California-registered architect or engineer, unless excepted as listed in Section B below.

In all cases:

Project plans and drawings must be complete and accurate.

Plans and drawings must comply with requirements and checklists as specified by the City of San José Building Division; see project instructions for types of projects at Start Your Project or at www.sanjoseca.gov/buildingbulletins.

The City Building Official may deem any project or portion of a project to require a registered design professional.

A. Plans That a Registered Architect or Engineer Must Prepare

ANY PROJECT THAT ENTAILS:

New buildings (unless exempted in Section B)
Additions to existing buildings (unless exempted in Section B)
Interior or exterior structural alterations (unless exempted in Section B)
Any interior alteration with an occupancy change
Any alteration that changes exiting requirements
High-rise remodeling projects in buildings having floors higher than 75 feet in height
Remodels with changes to 1-hour rated corridors, fire rated occupancy separations, area separation walls
Roof-mounted mechanical equipment

ANY PROJECT INVOLVING THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS:

Any portion of a project that deviates from conventional wood framing construction requirements.
Alterations that will change, affect, or potentially affect any components of the structural system or safety of the building or its occupants
Cripple walls exceeding 4 feet in height or adjacent to garage door openings
Lateral force resisting systems utilizing poles embedded in the ground
Machinery and equipment requiring design per 2022 CBC Section 1613
Storage racks over 8 feet in height
Tanks and vessels

ANY PROJECT WITH THE FOLLOWING OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION:

Assembly occupancies A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 and A-5
B, F-1, F-2, S-1, S-2 and M occupancies where the project is an interior alteration with walls and partitions higher than 5'-9" or ceiling work over a floor area greater than 3,000 sf
Hazardous occupancies H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5
Hotel, motel and apartment occupancies R-1 and R-2
Institutional occupancies I-1, I-2, I-2.1, I-3, and I-4
School and day care occupancies E
S-1 and S-2 occupancies
Projects with mixed occupancies

B. Exceptions Where Anyone May Prepare Plans

Section 5537 allows anyone to prepare plans and drawings only for projects that are wood frame construction* and limited to:

1- or 2-story single-family dwellings - Cannot be more than two stories in height (excludes any basement). Plans may be for:
- additions or remodels
- garages or accessory structures
1- or 2-story multifamily dwellings not exceeding four units - Building cannot be more than two stories in height (excludes any basement) with a maximum of four units on the lot. Plans may be for:
- additions or remodels
- garages or accessory structures
Agricultural and ranch buildings - Anyone may prepare plans for such buildings unless there is an undue risk to the public health, safety, or welfare as deemed by the City Building Official.
Nonstructural commercial projects - Anyone may prepare plans for commercial store fronts if the projects do not entail altering wall structures, such as:
- fixtures
- cabinet work
- appliance or equipment installations

* If any portion of any structure deviates from substantial compliance with current conventional requirements for wood frame construction (defined by the building codes adopted by the local jurisdiction or the state), the building official having jurisdiction shall require the preparation of plans, drawings, specifications, or calculations for that portion by, or under the responsible control of, a licensed architect or registered engineer. The documents for that portion shall bear the stamp and signature of the licensee who is responsible for their preparation.

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