Drawings
Deferred Submittal Packages
Specialty system approvals after the main permit issues. We produce the deferred submittal package for building department review.
Drawings
The main permit issued. The specialty systems still need approval.
Specialty system approvals after the main permit issues. We produce the deferred submittal package for building department review.
Building systems requiring deferred submittal approval
What Deferred Submittals Cover
Each system is a separate package.
Fabricator Coordination
We coordinate directly with the specialty subcontractor or fabricator to gather shop drawings, engineering calculations, product data sheets, and any ICC or listing documentation required by the jurisdiction.
Code Review
The deferred system is reviewed against the applicable building code provisions, including CBC Chapter 17 special inspection requirements, structural connection standards, and any local amendments that affect deferred submittal procedures.
Package Assembly
All documentation is organized per the building department's deferred submittal format requirements: cover sheet, system description, applicable code sections, engineering letter of responsibility, and all supporting technical documents.
Plan Check Response
When the building department issues corrections or requests additional information on the deferred package, we respond directly and revise the submittal until deferred approval is issued.
Inspection Coordination
After approval, we provide the contractor with the approved deferred submittal set and any special inspection requirements associated with the approved system for use during installation and inspection.
Why It Matters
A deferred submittal that is incomplete, incorrectly formatted, or missing required engineering documentation will be rejected by the building department. Every rejection extends the schedule and delays installation. The specialty subcontractor cannot install until deferred approval is issued, and the general contractor cannot proceed with dependent scopes. A properly assembled package moves through the building department review once and comes back with an approval stamp rather than a correction list.
Common deferred submittal items
- Prefabricated stair assemblies
- Structural steel connection details
- Curtain wall and storefront systems
- Pre-engineered wood trusses
- Fire suppression sprinkler layout
- Elevator and conveying systems
- Special inspection programs
- Seismic restraint documentation
The Submission Process
From fabricator specs
to building department.
A deferred submittal is a portion of the construction documentation that is not reviewed during initial plan check and is instead submitted to the building department after the main permit is issued. Prefabricated stairs, structural steel connections, curtain wall assemblies, fire suppression layouts, and pre-engineered trusses all commonly follow this path. We assemble the package: drawings, calculations, engineering stamps, and all documentation the building department needs to issue deferred approval before the specialty system is installed.
Deferred Submittal Cover Sheet
Project identification, permit number, system description, applicable code sections, engineer of record information, and confirmation that the system complies with the deferred submittal conditions on the main permit.
Shop Drawing Package
Fabricator-produced shop drawings coordinated and reviewed for completeness, annotated with code references and organized for building department review.
Engineering Calculations
Structural or system-specific calculations, stamped by the applicable licensed engineer, demonstrating compliance with the building code and the specifications referenced in the main permit.
Special Inspection Statement
Documentation of required special inspections per CBC Chapter 17, including inspection types, frequency, and inspector qualifications applicable to the deferred system.
Product and Listing Data
ICC evaluation reports, listing documentation, UL certifications, or other compliance evidence required to demonstrate that the specified system and materials meet code requirements.
Plan Check Response Letters
Written responses to all building department plan check comments on the deferred submittal, with markup of revised documents and direct citation of applicable code provisions.
Who This Is For
Built for these project roles.
General Contractors
Managing project timelines where specialty systems are under deferred approval and installation cannot proceed until the building department issues the deferred approval.
Project Managers
Coordinating complex permit closeouts with multiple open deferred items across structural, MEP, and specialty systems on commercial or mixed-use projects.
Architects of Record
Responsible for coordinating deferred submittals from specialty subcontractors and ensuring the packages meet the conditions set on the main building permit.
Specialty Subcontractors
Fabricators and installers of prefab stairs, structural steel, curtain wall, fire suppression, and elevator systems who need their shop drawings packaged into a compliant deferred submittal.
Common Questions
Frequently asked.
What triggers a deferred submittal condition on a permit?
The building official determines which systems may be deferred during the main plan check. Typically, specialty fabricated systems, prefabricated assemblies, and systems requiring proprietary engineering are deferred because the design cannot be finalized until a fabricator is under contract.
Who is responsible for the deferred submittal, the GC or the sub?
The architect of record typically holds responsibility for the deferred submittal condition on the permit, though in practice the general contractor manages the process and the specialty subcontractor provides the engineering and shop drawings. We coordinate with all parties to assemble the package.
How long does building department review of a deferred submittal take?
Review times vary by jurisdiction and system complexity. Simple systems in fast-track jurisdictions may receive approval in two to four weeks. Complex structural or curtain wall systems in high-volume building departments can take eight to twelve weeks. We advise on expected timelines at intake.
Continue Exploring
Related services.
- Drawings
Architectural Drafting
Complete, permit-ready plan sets for residential and commercial projects.
- Coordination
Structural Coordination
Architectural and structural drawings coordinated into one coherent permit set.
- Permitting
Permit Set Preparation
Jurisdiction-specific permit packages built for first-pass approval.
The specialty system needs its own submittal.
Tell us the system type, jurisdiction, and fabricator specs available. We assemble the deferred submittal package for building department review.