Permitting & Codes · Engineering Glossary
Permit drawings are the set of engineering drawings — structural, MEP, civil, and sometimes architectural — prepared by licensed professionals and submitted to the building department for plan review as part of the building permit application. They must contain enough detail for the AHJ to verify code compliance and for the contractor to build from.
Permit drawings include cover sheets with code summary information, site plans, floor plans, structural framing plans and details, MEP floor plans and schedules, and civil grading and utility plans. The drawings must be signed and stamped by licensed PEs in the applicable disciplines. The level of detail required varies by project type and jurisdiction — simple tenant improvements may require only a few sheets, while a new commercial building can require hundreds. After plan review, the AHJ issues plan-check comments; the engineer revises the drawings to address comments and resubmits for approval. Apex Grid produces permit-ready drawing sets where the responsible professional's license, firm authorization, discipline, and AHJ requirements are verified.
Apex Grid Engineering maintains this glossary as a resource for architects, contractors, developers, and property owners who encounter unfamiliar engineering terminology on their projects.
View All Engineering TermsApex Grid's licensed PEs provide permitting & codes services across multiple jurisdictions — with fast quote turnaround and permit-ready documents.
Request a Proposal