File Naming for Building Plan Review

Standardized file names help us quickly review permit drawings and documents.

We are looking for file names that identify the file contents, e.g. Cover Sheet, Site Plan, etc.
Limit the number of characters in the file name to 35 characters or less– abbreviations are acceptable.
Do not include special characters (&, %, #, etc.) in the file name.

File uploads will be rejected if they do not meet these standards.

For help preparing and uploading your files, see the instructions for Submitting Electronic Plans.

For submission and file naming information specific to your application type:

For mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire permits, see the Trade Permits page.
For residential permits:
- Middle housing structures
- Individual family homes such as single family, duplexes and townhomes

File Naming Requirements for Commercial Permits

The guidelines on this page apply to commercial and multifamily permits.

The following three elements will sort files in the correct order and provide the information to move your files quickly through the review process:

Start with a Three-digit Number, e.g 001, 010, 200
- This number value controls the display and print order of the files.
- Expand the example tabs below for suggested numbering options.
Page or Sheet Number, e.g. A01, S02.1
- List drawing sheet numbers with decimals or whole numbers.
- Exception: This will not apply to uploads to the Documents folder.
Description, e.g. Cover Sheet, Site Plan, Truss Packet
- The page title, document type or a brief description of the plan sheet
- Drawing description example: Cover Sheet, Preliminary Site Plan, Second Level Floor Plan Details.
- Documents description example: Structural Calcs, Truss Packet

Sort order for drawings and documents

Commercial/multifamily/industrial file naming example

Commercial, multi-family and industrial building permit applications often include drawings and documents from multiple disciplines. Applicants must use the numbering key below when naming drawings and documents. This will ensure drawings and documents are sorted in the appropriate order and easily identifiable.

Drawings – Example File Names

Discipline Name	First Three-Digit Number Series	Example File Name
Civil	100-199	104 C200 Utility Plan
Landscape	200-299	201 1.1 Landscape Plan
Structural	300-399	302 S1 Foundation Plan
Architectural	400-499	401 A0.1 Site Plan

Drawings Example in ProjectDox

projectdox-commercial-drawings-example

Documents – Example File Names

Discipline Name	First Three-Digit Number	Example
Structural Calcs	005	005 Structural Calcs
Geologic Assessments	010	010 Geotech Report
Stormwater Design	015	015 Stormwater Report
COMchecks	020	020 COMchecks
Truss Calculations	030	030 Truss Calcs
Miscellaneous (ex: special inspection form, special inspection reports, etc.)	040	040 Special Inspection and Testing Form
Civil Engineers Estimate	050	050 Engineers Estimate

Documents Example in ProjectDox

projectdox-commercial-documents-example

Resubmission guidelines

Naming new versions of a previously uploaded file

In a plan reviewer's comments require you to submit revised plan pages/files, you have two choices about naming the revised pages:

1. Name the files EXACTLY the same as the original file. This means that if the original file is named 001 Site Plan.pdf then you would name updated versions of the file 001 Site Plan.pdf. In the Files tab, you will see a V2 to the right of the original file name.

Note: If you add or remove spaces, hyphens or other characters, the file names are different, e.g., 001Site Plan.pdf is NOT the same as 001 Site Plan.pdf.

2. Name the files DIFFERENTLY from the original file. For example, if the original file name is 001 Site Plan.pdf and you name the updated version 001 Site Plan v2.pdf. If you choose this option, you will answer "No" when the system asks if the file names are EXACTLY the same. Then you will be asked to match the original and updated files one by one. In the Files tab, you will see a V2 to the right of the original file name.

Uploading a new page (not reviewed in previous cycle)

If a plan reviewer's comments require you to upload a new page between two previously uploaded files: Use the three-digit number of the file immediately before where you want to insert the page followed by a period and a number.

For example, if you want to insert a file between:

001 A Third Floor Plan and

002 C Grading Plan

Start the file with 001.1 at the beginning. Your new file will display between the two files.

Example:

001 A Third Floor Plan

001.1 A Fourth Floor Plan

002 C Grading Plan

Planning/Land use naming guidelines

Residential and Trade permits