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Prepare Files

Prepare Files

PREPARE FILES

E-Plan requires you to submit drawings and documents in support of your building permit application using ProjectDox. Please keep the following requirements in mind when preparing electronic files for upload:

Plan-Based Building Permits Fire Alarm or Stormwater Management (Express Permits)

The information on this tab applies to plan-based building permit applications:

All Files

All electronic files uploaded to ProjectDox must meet the following requirements:

Save files in PDF format. All files uploaded to ProjectDox must be portable document format (PDF) files. ProjectDox will not accept any other type of file.

Make sure files are unlocked. Electronic files may not be encrypted, locked, password protected, or otherwise secured. ProjectDox is unable to display files with security features for review.

Limit filenames to 75 characters or less. Filenames are limited to 75 characters, including the “.pdf” file extension. ProjectDox will not allow files with longer filenames.

Avoid special characters in filenames. Filenames can only contain letters, numbers, and the following special characters: spaces, periods, ampersands, and dashes. ProjectDox will not allow files with filenames including other special characters. Prohibited special characters include underscores, apostrophes, exclamation marks, question marks, dollar signs, asterisks, quotation marks, commas, colons, percentage signs, hashes, brackets, braces, and parentheses.

Include the current application number as the last part of filenames. The last part of each filename (before the .pdf extension) must be the 9- or 10-digit permit application number for the current application. ProjectDox will not allow files with filenames that do not end in 9 digits.

Avoid very large file sizes. There are no absolute limits on electronic file size, but the City reserves the right to reject very large electronic files, which are difficult to effectively review in ProjectDox. Most files should be 5MB or less. Files larger than 25MB are generally too large. To manage file size, avoid the use of hatches and similar patterns.

Remove comments and hidden layers. Check that your PDF files do not contain comments or hidden layers. Most PDF software allows you to do this—look for instructions on how to “flatten” a PDF file.

Drawing Submittals and Certified Plan Correction Sheets

All electronic files uploaded to subfolders of the Drawing Submittals folder and the Certified Plan Correction Sheets folder in ProjectDox must meet the following requirements:

Meet general requirements. Drawing submittal files must meet each of the general electronic file requirements in the “All Files” section above.

Include only one sheet per file. Each drawing sheet must be saved as a separate file. ProjectDox will not allow multi-page files in the Drawing Submittals folder (and subfolders).

Use landscape orientation. Drawing submittal files must be formatted in landscape orientation (wider than tall). Make sure files are oriented correctly (not rotated).

Use an acceptable page size. Drawing submittal files must be formatted with a height between 11 and 36 inches and a width between 16 and 48 inches. The following standard page sizes are acceptable: 11" × 17" (ledger), 17" × 22" (ANSI C), 22" × 34" (ANSI D), 34" × 44" (ANSI E), 12" × 18" (Arch B), 18" × 24" (Arch C), 24" × 36" (Arch D), 36" × 48" (Arch E), 30" × 42" (Arch E1), A0, A1, A2, and A3.

Include a sequence number as the first part of filenames. The first three characters of the filename for drawing submittal files must be digits that reflect the order of that sheet in the drawing index. (Example: 007 for the 7th sheet). If you need to insert a sheet between two existing sheets, add a decimal number. (Example: 007.1 to insert a new sheet after the 7th sheet.)

Include the sheet designation as the second part of filenames. The second part of the filename for drawing submittal files must be the sheet designation (sheet number). (Examples: A-1, G001.) The same sheet designation must appear in the title block in the lower right corner of the sheet.

Include a descriptive title as the third part of filenames. The third part of the filename for drawing submittal files must be a descriptive title. (Examples: Code Compliance Matrix, Site Plan, 1st & 2nd Floor Proposed Plans, 27th Floor Demolition Plan.) This does not need to match the exact title on the sheet. You may abbreviate or shorten words in this title to fit the filename length limits.

File Naming: Drawing Submittals

For files uploaded to subfolders of the Drawing Submittals folder in ProjectDox, the filename must include the following elements:

Sequence Number Sheet Designation Descriptive Title Current Application Number.pdf

For example:

001 A-1 Cover Sheet & Index 101345678.pdf

See More Examples

File Naming: Certified Plan Correction Sheets

For files uploaded to the Certified Plan Corrections Sheets folder in ProjectDox, the filename must include the following elements:

Sequence Number with Decimal Sheet Designation Descriptive Title Current Application Number.pdf

For example:

002.1 CPC-1 Certified Plan Corrections Sheet 1 101345678.pdf

002.2 CPC-2 Certified Plan Corrections Sheet 2 101345678.pdf

Document Submittals

All electronic files uploaded to subfolders of the Document Submittals folder in ProjectDox must meet the following requirements:

Meet general requirements. Document submittal files must meet each of the general electronic file requirements in the “All Files” section above.

Use an acceptable page size. Document submittal files must be formatted with both height and width between 8 and 17 inches. The following standard page sizes are acceptable: 8.5" × 11" (letter), 8.5" × 14" (legal), 11" × 17" (ledger/tabloid), A3, and A4.

Include a descriptive title in the filename. The first part of the filename for document submittal files must be a descriptive title. (Examples: Structural Peer Review Report or Energy Code Compliance Form.)

File Naming: Document Submittals

For files uploaded to subfolders of the Document Submittals folder in ProjectDox, the filename must include the following elements:

Descriptive Title Current Application Number.pdf

For example:

Energy Code Compliance Form 101345678.pdf

Reference Drawings

All electronic files uploaded to subfolders of the Reference Drawings folder in ProjectDox must meet the following requirements:

Meet general requirements. Reference drawing files must meet each of the general electronic file requirements in the “All Files” section above.

Use an acceptable page size. Reference drawing files must be formatted with a height and width between 11 and 48 inches. The following standard page sizes are acceptable: 11" × 17" (ledger), 17" × 22" (ANSI C), 22" × 34" (ANSI D), 34" × 44" (ANSI E), 12" × 18" (Arch B), 18" × 24" (Arch C), 24" × 36" (Arch D), 36" × 48" (Arch E), 30" × 42" (Arch E1), A0, A1, A2, and A3.

Include a descriptive title in the filename. The first part of the filename for reference drawing files must be a descriptive title. (Examples: Survey, Approved Drawings for Permit 100123456, Existing Conditions Documentation.)

File Naming: Reference Drawings

For files uploaded to subfolders of the Reference Drawings folder in ProjectDox, the filename must include the following elements:

Descriptive Title Current Application Number.pdf

For example:

Approved Drawings for Permit 100123456 101345678.pdf

Survey of 123 Main Street 101345678.pdf

The information on this tab applies to Express Permit Program applications, including fire alarm system permits and stormwater management plan approvals:

All Files

All electronic files uploaded to ProjectDox must meet the following requirements:

Save files in PDF format. All files uploaded to ProjectDox must be portable document format (PDF) files. ProjectDox will not accept any other type of file.

Make sure files are unlocked. Electronic files may not be encrypted, locked, password protected, or otherwise secured. ProjectDox is unable to display files with security features for review.

Limit filenames to 75 characters or less. Filenames are limited to 75 characters, including the “.pdf” file extension. ProjectDox will not allow files with longer filenames.

Include the current application number as the last part of filenames. The last part of each filename (before the .pdf extension) must be the 10-character permit application number for the current application. ProjectDox will not allow files with filenames that do not end in “B” followed by 9 digits.

Drawings (for review)

All electronic files uploaded to the Drawing (for review) folder in ProjectDox must meet the following requirements:

Meet general requirements. Drawing files must meet each of the general electronic file requirements in the “All Files” section above.

Include only one sheet per file. Each drawing sheet must be saved as a separate file. ProjectDox will not allow multi-page files in the Drawing (for review) folder.

Use landscape orientation. Drawing files must be formatted in landscape orientation (wider than tall). Make sure files are oriented correctly (not rotated).

Use an acceptable page size. Drawing files must be formatted with a height between 11 and 36 inches and a width between 16 and 48 inches. The following standard page sizes are acceptable: 11" × 17" (ledger), 17" × 22" (ANSI C), 22" × 34" (ANSI D), 34" × 44" (ANSI E), 12" × 18" (Arch B), 18" × 24" (Arch C), 24" × 36" (Arch D), 36" × 48" (Arch E), 30" × 42" (Arch E1), A0, A1, A2, and A3.

Include a sequence number as the first part of filenames. The first three characters of the filename for drawing files must be digits that reflect the order of that sheet in the drawing index. (Example: 007 for the 7th sheet). If you need to insert a sheet between two existing sheets, add a decimal number. (Example: 007.1 to insert a new sheet after the 7th sheet.)

Include the sheet designation as the second part of filenames. The second part of the filename for drawing files must be the sheet designation (sheet number). (Examples: FP-1, G001.) The same sheet designation must appear in the title block in the lower right corner of the sheet.

Include a descriptive title as the third part of filenames. The third part of the filename for drawing files must be a descriptive title. (Examples: Site Plan, 27th Floor Fire Alarm Equipment Plan.) This does not need to match the exact title on the sheet. You may abbreviate or shorten words in this title to fit the filename length limits.

File Naming: Drawings (for review)

For files uploaded to Drawings (for review) folder in ProjectDox, the filename must include the following elements:

Sequence Number Sheet Designation Descriptive Title Current Application Number.pdf

For example:

001 ALRM-1 Cover Sheet & Index B200123456.pdf

Documents (for review)

All electronic files uploaded to the Documents (for review) folder in ProjectDox must meet the following requirements:

Meet general requirements. Document files must meet each of the general electronic file requirements in the “All Files” section above.

Use an acceptable page size. Document files must be formatted with both height and width between 8 and 17 inches. The following standard page sizes are acceptable: 8.5" × 11" (letter), 8.5" × 14" (legal), 11" × 17" (ledger/tabloid), A3, and A4.

Include a descriptive title in the filename. The first part of the filename for document files must be a descriptive title. (Examples: Fire Alarm Calculations or Stormwater Calculations.)

File Naming: Documents (for review)

For files uploaded to the Documents (for review) folder in ProjectDox, the filename must include the following elements:

Descriptive Title Current Application Number.pdf

For example:

Performance-Based Visual Notification Device Spacing Report B200123456.pdf

Stormwater Calculations B200123456.pdf

Reference Drawings

All electronic files uploaded to the Reference Drawings folder in ProjectDox must meet the following requirements:

Meet general requirements. Reference drawing files must meet each of the general electronic file requirements in the “All Files” section above.

File Naming: Reference Drawings

For files uploaded to the Reference Drawings folder in ProjectDox, the filename must include the following elements:

Descriptive Title Current Application Number.pdf

For example:

Approved Drawings for Permit 100123456 101345678.pdf

Survey of 123 Main Street 101345678.pdf

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Chicago

Prepare Files

PREPARE FILES

All Files

Drawing Submittals and Certified Plan Correction Sheets

File Naming: Drawing Submittals

File Naming: Certified Plan Correction Sheets

Document Submittals

File Naming: Document Submittals

Reference Drawings

File Naming: Reference Drawings

All Files

Drawings (for review)

File Naming: Drawings (for review)

Documents (for review)

File Naming: Documents (for review)

Reference Drawings

File Naming: Reference Drawings

City of Chicago

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