Permit glossary
Permit and construction-code terminology defined in plain English — AHJ, plan review, Title 24, IECC, occupancy classes, setbacks, and more.
- AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction)
- The local agency that interprets and enforces building codes for your project.
- Plan review
- The technical review of submitted drawings and calculations against adopted codes before a permit is issued.
- Correction letter
- A list of plan-review comments that must be resolved before approval.
- Counter permit
- An over-the-counter, same-day permit issued for simple, low-risk work.
- Title 24
- California's energy efficiency standards, required for most residential and commercial projects in CA.
- IECC
- International Energy Conservation Code — the model code most U.S. states adopt for building energy efficiency.
- IRC / IBC
- International Residential Code and International Building Code — the model construction codes most U.S. jurisdictions adopt.
- NEC
- The National Electrical Code, governing electrical installations in the U.S.
- IMC / UMC
- International and Uniform Mechanical Codes for HVAC and gas systems.
- UPC / IPC
- Uniform and International Plumbing Codes.
- Egress
- The path of travel from any point in a building to a public way — heavily regulated for life-safety.
- Occupancy classification
- The category (A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, U) that determines code requirements for a building's intended use.
- Setback
- The minimum distance a structure must be from property lines or other features.
- Variance
- A discretionary approval that waives a zoning rule for a specific property.
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
- Final document confirming a building or tenant space is legal to occupy.
- Tenant Improvement (TI)
- Build-out work inside an existing commercial shell.
- Change of use
- A permit triggered when an existing space switches to a different occupancy classification.
- Rapid shutdown
- An NEC requirement to de-energize rooftop solar conductors during emergencies.
- Manual J / D / S
- ACCA HVAC sizing methodologies (load, ductwork, equipment) required by most jurisdictions.
- Stormwater (SWPPP)
- A pollution-prevention plan required for many construction sites that disturb soil.