The Department of Building Inspection maintains public records, such as building plans, for public viewing and reproduction. However, the California Health and Safety Code prohibits the duplication of official building plans, or documents such as reports and calculations that accompany these plans, without approval from the owner of the plans.
Are building plans public record?
They are most commonly used by contractors to apply for building permits from the municipality within which the construction is taking place. Once the blueprints have been filed by the contractor with the municipality building department, these building plansare public records and technically attainable by anyone wanting to view them.
Are building permits public record in California?
The Act gives the public the right to access a wide variety of state and local government information, including building permits. The California Public Records Act gives citizens the right to inspect all public records of the government bodies subject to the Act, the Citizen Media Law Project (CMLP) states.
How do I find California building permit information?
Finding building permit information doesn't have to be a formal process. Many California cities, such as San Francisco, have permit information online: Type in the address and you'll find information.
How do I get a copy of my building records?
In most cases, requests for physical documents must be made in writing at the government office where they are kept. Electronic records may be easier to obtain, especially if they are not for commercial or industrial buildings.
Are blueprints public record in California?
These records are available for all commercial and residential buildings. These public records are for viewing and/or copying except for blueprints. To obtain copies of blueprints, this Department requires: Written authorization from the property owner.
How do you get copies of building plans?
Local Authorities / Planning Department / District Office / Municipal Offices. The first and most common route to take is a visit to your Local Authority, otherwise known as Planning Department, District Office or Municipal Offices to request a copy of your approved plans.
How do you find out what's being built near me?
How to Find Out What Business Is Being Built in My Neighborhood?Property Sales. Conduct a sales search. ... Business Licenses. Check local licenses. ... Chamber of Commerce. Speak with the Chamber of Commerce. ... Elected Representatives. Call your elected representative. ... Real Estate Brokers. Speak to a real estate broker.
How do I get blueprints for my house in Los Angeles?
Blueprint Copies from LADBS To obtain copies of site plans from the City of LA Building Department (LADBS) you need three things up front: A release letter from the current owner. A copy of the current owner's grant deed. A release letter from the architect and engineer whose stamp is on the plans.
Where can I find building plans for my house?
How To Find Building Plans For My HouseVisit Your Local Municipality Office. ... Contact Your Realtor. ... Contact The Home's Former Owners. ... Contact The Building Inspector's Office. ... Talk To Neighbours. ... Consult Fire Insurance Maps. ... Contact Your Architect Or Contractor. ... Check Other Sources For Information.
How do I find the plans for my house?
There are several people and places you can turn to for help finding original blueprints for your home:Contact sales agents at your real estate office.Visit neighbors with similar homes.Consult local inspectors, assessors, and other building officials.Examine fire insurance maps for your neighborhood.More items...•
How far from the property line can I build a shed in California?
15.14. 020 Summary of regulations.TypeStandardYard structures on common lotsUnder 6 ft. high: may be placed up to any property line, subject to building or fire code limitations; 6 – 12 ft. high: at least 3 ft. from any property line.Storage Sheds and Other Yard Buildings:32 more rows
Can you live in a shed in California?
Generally speaking, living in a shed is not allowed. This is because your standard shed is classed as a 10a building making it non-habitable. Sheds, carports, private garages and similar structures fall under this category.
What is the maximum size you can build without planning permission?
The recent relaxation of permitted developments means that homeowners are now able to add extensions without needing planning permissions. You can add a home extension or conservatory up to six metres, or eight metres if your home is detached, without needing to apply for planning permission.
Can I find my home's blueprints online?
Many city and county governments describe their policies regarding blueprints online. You can find this information by searching for the name of your locale along with the words "property records" or "home records". The site will likely have a section about blueprints or building plans.
How do you get as built drawings?
How do you get an As-Built Drawing?Rely solely on existing record drawings. • Many times, an existing set of plans can be found from the building owner or municipality. ... Do the As-Builts yourself. • ... Have a junior staff member do them. • ... Hire a professional As-Built firm.
How do I find the architect of my house?
Your local library may also have resources to help you in your search, and your city's Department of Building and Safety may even allow you to look up the names of the home's contractor or architect. A good place to start is the Public Records Online Directory.
What is the copyright act?
§ 301) specifically preempts state law: “An ‘architectural work’ is the design of a building as embodied in any tangible medium of expression, including a building, architectural plans, or drawings…” 17 U.S.C.A. § 101.
Is copyright federal or state?
Copyright law is federal. The Federal Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C.A. §§ 101 et. seq., “exclusively governs all works that are subject to copyright under federal law, and preempts all state legal claims to ownership or infringement on use of such materials.
What is PRA exempt from disclosure?
The PRA exempts from disclosure “ [r]ecords, the disclosure of which is exempted or prohibited pursuant to federal or state law,” Gov’t Code § 6254 (k), which presumably includes the federal Copyright Act.
Is it possible to comply with the California Public Records Act?
The opinion noted, however, that: it may be possible to comply with the California Public Records Act copyright. For example, it would not be an infringement of a copyright to provide a person with a particular copy of copyrighted material if the copy has been purchased by the public agency. (17 U.S.C. § 109, subsection (a).)
Who is the official record keeper of building permits?
County clerks are the official record keepers of documents pertaining to building construction and permits. Each office operates differently, which means that the process to secure the permit or record you need will be different. Some will charge a small fee to request access to original files, so be prepared when you request building blueprints.
Where to start if you don't have blueprints?
The other option is to start at the county clerk's office. County clerks are the official record keepers of documents pertaining to building construction and permits.
What to do if you don't know who the contractor is?
If you don't know who that person is, the county clerk should have his/her information on file . It's possible that the county zoning board would also hold the original building permit, which would have the contractor's details on it. If you find the contractor but he/she doesn't have the blueprints, he might be able to direct you ...
What is blueprint in architecture?
published on December 15th 2017 | by Laura Andreescu. A blueprint is a map of a building. It ties the concept of design to the details required to erect a structure. Blueprints, otherwise known as architectural drawing sets, have been used since the 19th century and are a guide through the construction process.
Can you view blueprints of a building?
Once the blueprints have been filed by the contractor with the municipality building department, these building plans are public records and technically attainable by anyone wanting to view them. However, finding blueprints of a building is not always as easy as one might think. Not all documents are digitally saved and some documents may not still ...
When will I get a copy of my building permit?
October 22, 2019. Many of you have recently received a request to provide copies of building permits issued in the past, names and addresses of building permit applicants, and also copies of building permits as they are issued in the future.
Do municipalities have to produce building permit applications?
Limitations on Requirements for Municipal Public Records Requests. Municipalities do not, however, have to produce building permit applications or names and addresses from applications.
Does the Township of Philadelphia have to provide a copy of a building permit?
The Township is required to provide copies of approved building permits. The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (hereafter, “OOR”) has held that approved building permits are items issued by the Township, and therefore they don’t receive the same exclusionary protection that “applications” and “building plans and specifications” receive ...
Can a township release a building permit?
Therefore, under the UCC, a Township may exercise its discretion and refuse to release building permit applications or names and addresses from applications pursuant to the RTKL. Municipalities, likewise, do not have to compile lists of the names and addresses of people with permits. An agency is not required to modify its practices by compiling ...
Do municipalities have to produce future building permits?
Municipalities, likewise, do not have to produce future building permits as they are issued. Future permits do not currently exist. The RTKL does not require agencies to compile and distribute information they do not possess at the time of the request. Dynamic Student Services v.
