How to Submit Project Plans for Review

Step 1.Check your eligibility

Have you already begun a permit application for a project in Clearwater city limits? Before submitting your plans online, you must have already applied for a permit in the city.

Get a Permit

Step 2.Prepare your files

• General Documents

  • All files must be in PDF file format.
  • The maximum file size is 200 MB.
  • Do not use encrypted or password-protected files
  • All layers in the PDF will need to be flattened (including seals, signatures, and notations)
  • Do not combine supporting documents into the same PDF file with any plan sheets. They will need to be uploaded as separate files

• Plans

  • Arrange plans in a landscape page view
  • Title block must be located in the lower right-hand corner -our system will be reading your sheet numbers
  • Make sure sheet numbers are unique and consistent for each version of submitted plan pages 
  • All layers will need to be flattened. How to flatten layers 
  • Generate plans to scale (e.g. 1/4" = 1’, 1/8” = 1’ or 1:10)
  • Any annotations in the PDF will be removed during the submission process
  • When possible, please include a table of contents when exporting/publishing to the PDF index page (ex. Include “Create bookmarks”) setting in AutoCAD*
  • Include sheet titles within a table of contents when possible*
  • You can upload multiple files, including plans, at the same time
  • When submitting revisions, please do not resubmit the entire plan set; only upload the sheets containing changes from the previous submission*

• Supporting Documents

  • You can submit supporting documents as individual files or as a single file with multiple pages
  • Document files may be oriented in either landscape or portrait view

• Commercial Building Design Documents

  There are a few additional items required for commercial plans. Please note that the document standards below are applicable to commercial plans only and are in addition to our general document standards listed above.

  • Plans submitted for review for all work involving multiple family dwellings (3+ units), mixed-use occupancies, commercial uses, or industrial uses must bear the signature AND seal of a registered architect or engineer.
  • Please be sure to flatten all layers on the plan sheets (including seal and signature)
  • Fire-rated assemblies must have the applicable UL design numbers included in the specification booklet or shown on the plans

Step 3.Login Online

During the application process, you must acknowledge that you will upload your plans and supporting documentation. After we process your application and have received your payment, you will access to a link to upload your documents. Click "Upload Plans & Documents".

For Building Construction Permits, documents must be uploaded within 7 days of application completion (payment is received). If documents have not been uploaded or no attempts to upload have been made within 7 days of application submittal, the record will be voided without a refund.

For Planning cases, allow ample time to complete the upload process. File processing times vary, and the upload process may take longer than expected. Failure to complete the upload process in its entirety by the Planning application deadline will result in delays in your submittal.

Log into Accela, our online permitting system

Step 4.Upload plans

The upload process consists of four steps: Information, File Processing, Sheet Versioning and Review.

Step 5.Information

Provide a description of the plans or documents that you are uploading for the review package. Click "Continue".

Step 6.File Processing

• Drag and drop the files into the browser OR click "Browse" to select files to upload. Provide a concise file description for each file.
• Once all files are uploaded, click "Upload and Validate". When all of the desired files are uploaded and validated, click the "Process Files" button to prepare your files for review.
• The validation step will check the files and signatures (if any). If there is an issue with a file or signature, you will receive an error message which provides information to help you address the issue. Error messages will appear above the upload section. For more information, hover over the question mark. Re-upload any documents that require attention once the issue is resolved.
• All uploaded files will appear in the file list at the bottom of the page, along with their status. Rejected files must be removed by clicking the trash can icon. Once all of the files are in “Validated” status, proceed Step 3 by clicking “Process Files.”
• A pop-up will display that shows your file processing progress.

  Most documents will only take 1-2 minutes to process, but larger plan sets could take a bit longer. You may close this window and navigate away from this screen if you choose. An email will be sent once the process is completed if you wish to return later. 

Step 7.Sheet Versioning

Once file processing is completed, you will arrive at the Sheet Versioning page. Carefully review the sheet titles. Fill in any missing titles or make corrections as needed. There cannot be any duplicate sheet titles. After verifying all sheet titles, click “Continue” to proceed to the last step. 

Tip: Drawings with clear title blocks and bookmarks help the system identify the sheet names. 

Tip: If you change a sheet title or need to name it on your own, make a note of the titles you used. If you must resubmit any sheets in response to comments, the revised version of the sheet must have the same sheet title when it is resubmitted, so that it will be recognized as a subsequent sheet version.

Step 8.Review

Verify that all necessary files are present and their information is correct. Click “Finish” to submit your documents.

A message will display that states the review package is received and departmental staff will be notified of your submittal.

Step 9.We will pre-screen your plan

• We will review your plans and let you know if there is a problem with your submission.

Step 10.We will review your plans

• We send your project to the reviewers.
• Once the reviews have been completed, we will send you the results.
• Plan review times vary based on the plan review type (commercial vs. residential) and scope of work (repairs, new construction, roofs, additions, etc.)

Step 11.Review Comments and Submit Any Necessary Corrections

• Once all reviews have been completed, you will be able to review comments and submit any necessary corrections.
• Log into our online permitting system and click on "My Records".
• Type the full record number in the global search box towards the top right of the webpage. If the record is found, you will be automatically directed to the record’s summary page. If there is more than one search result, you will see a list of results from which you can click the desired record to proceed to the record’s summary page.
• Upload corrected sheets by naming the files exactly the same as the file being replaced to allow the system to show the corrected sheet.
• The plan reviewer will conduct another round of reviews.
  Learn More About How to Review Comments and Submit Corrections

Step 12.Pay and download permit and plans

At the end of the plan review process, the Plan Room will automatically combine all approved versions of each sheet into one final, stamped PDF plan set.

• We will email you with payment instructions.
• We will issue a permit and stamp your plans.
• Go to the "My Records" section on the list of all the records you are associated with on Accela, the city's online permitting system. Click on the record of choice to go to that record's summary page. OR Type the full record number in the global search box towards the top right of the webpage. If the record is found, you will be automatically directed to the record’s summary page. If there is more than one search result, you will see a list of results from which you can click the desired record to proceed to the record’s summary page.
• Once you land on the record’s summary page, click the “Plan Room” link followed by the “Approved Plans” link. 
• A list with all approved files will be displayed on the next page. When a record is issued, plans are combined in one file and supporting documents are combined in a separate file. The types of files listed will depend on your type of submittal. Click the download link to download the file(s).
• To view all documents, including those that were not accepted during the plan review, the record’s complete document history can be found in the Attachments section. On the record’s summary page, click on “Record Info” followed by “Attachments.
• Print all items from the "Approved" folder to scale and post on the job site.

Step 13.Begin construction

You must have the plans, documents, permit and inspection form at the project site. The project is considered completed once you have obtained a final approved inspection.