Commercial Tenant Improvement Electrical Plans — Permit-Ready + PE Stamped (Los Angeles LADBS & LA County)

This usually involves:

1. Reviewing the correction notice and identifying the required changes

2. Revising the electrical drawings to address the comments

3. Adding revision clouds to clearly identify changes on the plans

4. Preparing a response letter or correction matrix referencing each comment

5. Resubmitting the updated plan set for review

 

Providing a clear response to each comment helps the plan check engineer quickly verify that the requested changes have been made.

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Taking Over Electrical Drawings After Plan Check

In some situations, contractors or architects reach out after an initial set of drawings has already been submitted but did not pass plan check.

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If the original electrical drawings are incomplete or inconsistent, the project may require a more thorough engineering review before resubmittal.

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In these cases, we can review the existing drawings, identify the underlying issues, and help prepare a revised electrical plan set that addresses the plan check comments.

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This approach often helps projects move through the next review cycle more efficiently, especially when the corrections are related to load calculations, panel schedules, or electrical system capacity.

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If you have received a plan check correction notice for a tenant improvement project, you can send the correction list and the current drawings for review so we can determine the best path forward.

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Commercial Tenant Improvement Electrical Plans for Los Angeles and Southern California

Commercial TI projects are heavily influenced by the requirements of the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). While the California Electrical Code provides the baseline technical standards, each city or county building department has its own permit procedures, plan check expectations, and documentation requirements.

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For projects in the Los Angeles region, electrical drawings are typically reviewed by the local building department responsible for issuing the permit. That may be the City of Los Angeles or one of the many surrounding cities that operate their own building and safety departments.

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Understanding how these jurisdictions approach plan review can make a significant difference in how smoothly a project moves through the permit process.

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City of Los Angeles (LADBS)

For projects located within the City of Los Angeles, electrical plan review is handled by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS).

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LADBS reviews electrical drawings to verify that:

• the electrical system complies with the California Electrical Code

• load calculations support the proposed electrical equipment

• panelboards and feeders are properly documented

• the scope of work is clearly defined in the electrical notes

 

Tenant improvement projects in Los Angeles often involve modifications to existing electrical systems in older buildings, which makes it particularly important to confirm the capacity of existing service equipment and panelboards before submitting drawings.

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Los Angeles County Building & Safety

Projects located in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County are reviewed by LA County Building and Safety rather than LADBS.

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Although the technical code requirements are similar, the permit procedures and plan check process can differ slightly between jurisdictions. Electrical drawings must clearly describe the scope of work and demonstrate that the electrical system can safely support the proposed tenant improvements.

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Other Cities in the Los Angeles Area

Many projects in the region fall under the jurisdiction of independent city building departments rather than LADBS or LA County.

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Common jurisdictions include:

• Pasadena

• Glendale

• Burbank

• Santa Monica

• Beverly Hills

• West Hollywood

 

Each of these cities performs its own plan check review, but the general expectations for electrical drawings are similar: the plans must clearly describe the electrical scope of work and demonstrate compliance with applicable electrical codes.

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Why Jurisdiction Experience Matters

Electrical plan sets prepared for tenant improvements must communicate clearly with the plan reviewer responsible for approving the permit.

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Drawings that are incomplete, inconsistent, or unclear can easily trigger correction notices and delay permit approval.

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By preparing electrical plans that are aligned with AHJ expectations, projects are more likely to move through the plan review process without unnecessary delays.

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If you’re preparing a TI project in Los Angeles or surrounding cities, sending the architectural drawings and project details is usually the fastest way to determine the electrical scope required for permit submission.

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Typical Timeline for Tenant Improvement Electrical Plans

Timeline depends on tenant type and scope—office/retail changes are usually faster than restaurant or medical build-outs, and remodels move fastest when panel/service information is available up front.

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Small Tenant Improvements

For smaller projects—such as office suites, retail spaces, or minor interior renovations—the electrical scope is often limited to lighting adjustments, additional receptacles, and connections for a small number of equipment loads.

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In these cases, the electrical plan set may require only a few sheets, including:

• a power plan

• a lighting plan

• panel schedules and load calculations

• a single-line diagram

 

When the architectural drawings are complete and the electrical scope is straightforward, these projects can usually move through the engineering and review process relatively quickly.

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Medium Complexity Projects

Projects involving restaurants, medical offices, or tenant spaces with specialized equipment often require more coordination.

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These projects may involve:

• verifying the capacity of existing electrical panels

• adding dedicated circuits for equipment

• coordinating electrical loads with mechanical systems

• confirming that the existing electrical service can support the new tenant

 

Because these projects involve more detailed load calculations and coordination, the electrical plan set may require additional review before it is ready for permit submission.

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What Helps Projects Move Faster

Tenant improvement electrical plans typically move most efficiently when the project team can provide:

• the latest architectural plan set

• a clear description of the tenant’s equipment and electrical loads

• the project jurisdiction responsible for permit review

• photos or information about the existing electrical service and panelboards

 

Providing this information early helps ensure that the electrical drawings can be prepared without unnecessary revisions.

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How Engineering Scope Drives Tenant Improvement Electrical Plan Cost

The engineering effort for TI electrical drawings depends on the tenant use type, square footage, equipment loads, and whether panels/service equipment are being modified.

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Fees are driven by sheet count, equipment loads, existing conditions, and how much coordination is required with the architectural set.

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Projects that involve minimal electrical changes may require only a small number of sheets, while projects with significant electrical equipment or service modifications require a more detailed design effort.

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If you have architectural drawings available, the easiest way to determine the expected fee is simply to send the drawings for review.

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After reviewing the plans, we can typically confirm:

• whether a full electrical plan set is required

• the number of sheets likely needed

• the estimated engineering scope

• the expected fee and turnaround time

 

This allows the project team to move forward with a clear understanding of the electrical engineering portion of the permit process.

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What to Send to Start a Tenant Improvement Electrical Plan Review

The fastest way to determine the electrical scope for a commercial TI project is to review the architectural drawings and basic project information. Once those documents are available, it is usually possible to identify the electrical work required for permit submission and confirm whether the project will require a stamped electrical plan set.

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Most tenant improvement projects can be evaluated quickly if a few key pieces of information are available at the start.

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Project Information That Helps Us Review the Scope

When sending drawings for review, it is helpful to include the following information:

• Architectural drawings (PDF) showing the tenant layout

• The project address and jurisdiction (for example LADBS, LA County, Pasadena, etc.)

• The approximate size of the tenant space

• A brief description of the type of tenant (office, restaurant, retail, medical, etc.)

• Any existing electrical drawings or as-built information, if available

• Photos of existing electrical panels or service equipment when possible

• The target permit submission timeline

 

With this information, we can usually determine whether the project requires a complete electrical plan set, a review of existing drawings, or revisions to address plan check comments.

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Uploading Drawings for Review

If you already have drawings prepared by a contractor, designer, or architect, those drawings can usually be reviewed and prepared for permit submission.

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This review typically focuses on confirming that:

• load calculations are complete and consistent

• panel schedules match the electrical plans

• equipment loads are properly documented

• the electrical scope is clearly described for the plan reviewer

 

Once the review is complete, we can confirm whether the drawings are ready for permit submission or require revisions before a PE stamp can be applied.

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Starting the Process

To begin the review process, simply send the available project drawings and details. After reviewing the information, we can typically confirm:

• whether a PE-stamped electrical plan set is required

• the engineering scope needed for the project

• the estimated fee and timeline for preparing the electrical drawings

 

Commercial build-out projects often move quickly once the electrical drawings are prepared, so reviewing the plans early in the permit process helps avoid delays during plan check.

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FAQ

Tenant improvement projects often raise similar questions during the permit process. Below are some of the most common questions contractors, architects, and property owners ask when preparing electrical drawings for permit submission.

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1. Do tenant improvement projects require a PE stamp in Los Angeles?

Sometimes. Smaller TI scopes may allow contractor drawings. But when the project adds significant equipment loads, modifies panels, or changes service equipment, LADBS (or the AHJ) often expects the drawings to be reviewed and stamped by a licensed electrical engineer. If you’re unsure, the fastest way to confirm is to send the architectural PDF and jurisdiction for a scope check.

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2. Can an electrical engineer review contractor-prepared drawings?

Yes—if the set is complete enough to review. We don’t stamp sight-unseen. We review for code compliance and drawing-to-calculation consistency, request revisions where needed, and stamp only when the drawings meet permit submittal requirements under our engineering review.

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3. What happens if electrical drawings fail plan check?

Plan check comments are common. The drawings are revised, changes are clearly marked (typically with revision clouds), and a written response is prepared addressing each comment. The corrected set is then resubmitted for recheck. Most projects move forward once the comments are addressed clearly and consistently.

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4. How long does it take to prepare tenant improvement electrical plans?

It depends on tenant type and scope. Smaller office or retail build-outs with light electrical changes typically move faster than restaurants, medical spaces, or equipment-heavy tenants. Remodels also go faster when the architectural base set is current and panel/service information is available early.

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5. Can you take over electrical drawings that another engineer started?

In many cases, yes. If an existing set is incomplete, inconsistent, or already has plan check comments, we can review the current drawings, identify gaps, and prepare a revised plan set suitable for resubmittal. The feasibility depends on what documents exist and the AHJ requirements.

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6. What’s included in a tenant improvement electrical plan set?

Most TI sets include a power plan, lighting plan, single-line diagram, panel schedules, and load calculations. The exact sheet count depends on tenant type (office, retail, restaurant, medical) and whether panels, feeders, or service equipment are being modified.

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7. Do tenant improvement electrical plans need to address Title 24?

Often, yes. Many commercial TI projects require lighting controls coordination as part of energy compliance. We coordinate lighting control intent within the electrical drawings so the plan set aligns with the project’s energy compliance approach (scope varies by project and jurisdiction).

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8. What do you need to provide a quote?

At minimum: the architectural PDF, project address + jurisdiction (LADBS, LA County, Pasadena, etc.), tenant type, approximate square footage, and any known major equipment loads. For remodels, photos of existing panels/service equipment are very helpful and can prevent rework later.

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9. Do you only work in Los Angeles?

Our primary focus is Los Angeles and the surrounding cities listed on this page. California projects outside LA can be considered depending on scope, timeline, and jurisdiction requirements.

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10. How are revisions handled during plan check?

Revisions are handled by addressing each plan check comment, revising the drawings, clearly marking changes (revision clouds), and preparing a response letter or correction matrix for resubmittal. The level of revision depends on the scope of the comments and the quality of the starting documents.

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11. Do you provide a plan check response letter?

Yes, when required. We can provide a response letter or correction matrix tying each comment to the revised sheet and location so the plan reviewer can verify changes efficiently.