EXHIBIT “A”
CITY OF RIVESIDE
Section 107.6 Building Plan Check Self-Certification Program.
1. Purpose. To expediate building permit approvals by allowing pre-approved Licensed Design Professionals to voluntarily self-certify building plans.
2. Definitions. Unless the contrary is stated or clearly appears from the context, the following definitions will govern the construction of the words and phrases used in this section:
(a) “Self-certification,” “ self-certify,” or “ self-certified” means the submission to the Building Official (i) is made by a Licensed Design Professional identified in the building permit application, (ii) accompanies plans and any prerequisite supporting documents filed with the Building & Safety Division by that Licensed Design Professional, and (iii) that Licensed Design Professional attests such plans (1) do not contain any false information, (2) are in compliance with requirements of the applicable State a nd City of Riverside laws, codes, and regulations and (3) were prepared by or under the direct supervision of, and signed and stamped by, that Licensed Design Professional.
(b) “Licensed Design Professional " means the California Licensed Architect or Engineer, as applicable, identified as such on the building permit application and accompanying plans.
(c) “Approved Professional” means a Licensed Design Professional who register s for the Program and is approved by the Building Official that appears on the City’s Self- Certification Program Approved Professional List.
(d) “Submittal Package” means all prerequisite applications, insurance documents, construction plans and their supporting documents, and any other documents deemed necessary by the Building Official.
3. Eligible Participants. The Building Official shall establish a policy that outlines the criteria needed to be accepted into the Program. Licensed Design Professionals must apply
and be accepted into the Program by the Building Official as an Approved Professional. T o be eligible to participate in the Self-Certification Program, the Licensed Design Professional must be registered in the State of California and be in good standing as a Licensed Design Professional, with at least five years of experience. The Building Official shall establish and maintain for public use, a Self-Certification Program Approved Professional s List identifying all Licensed Design Professionals that have been designated as Approved Professionals accepted into the Self - Certification Program.
4. Eligible Projects. The Building Official shall establish a list of eligible project types that qualify for the Self-Certification Program.
5. Insurance Requirements. For a project to be accepted for Self -Certification, the Licensed Design Professional is required to furnish the Building Official a Certificate of Professional Liability Insurance, issued by an insurer authorized to insure in the State of California.
The amount of required coverage will be reasonably determined by the Building Official or his designee; typically, a minimum of $1,000,000, but not less than the valuation of the permitted project.
6. The Approved Professional shall also obtain, and shall thereafter maintain, errors and omissions professional liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 to protect the City from claims resulting from the Approved Professional’s activities.
7. Prescreening Process. The Approved Professional who intends on filing a permit application in accordance with the Program shall meet with the Building Official, or designee, to review the proposed project in its entirety and ensure the submittal package qualifies for the Program and is complete.
8. Hold Harmless. The Approved Professional and property owner(s) shall hold the City of Riverside and its officers, representatives, managers and employees against all claims, liabilities, judgments, costs, expenses, delays, demands or injuries arising out of or in any way connected with the design, construction, code compliance review or issuance of a building permit for the project identified in the building permit application.
9. Submittal Requirements. A Self -Certification Program Application form must be completed in its entirety and submitted for each project by the Approved Professional and the property owner. The Self -Certification program will be all inclusive, all trade work associated with the design that requires permits for the project must be Self-Certified. This Program excludes any related construction work requiring separate permits or approvals from other Divisions/Departments of the City, or outside agencies. Each page of the plans submitted must be wet stamped and signed by a Licensed Design Professional for each applicable trade in accordance with the California Business and Professions Code.
10. Other Approvals. The Self-Certification Program Application must include documentation demonstrating final approvals of any applicable City Divisions/Departments, such as but not limited to: Planning, Fire Prevention before permit issuance. The Self-Certification Program Application must also include documentation of the appropriate approvals of any applicable “outside” agency. Those outside agencies include, without limitation, the following: Riverside County Health Department or Environmental Health Department, school districts, and Air Quality Management Districts.
11. Fees: All fees set forth in the City’s Master Fees and Charges Schedule apply.
12. Permit Issuance. Applications that have met all the criteria of this voluntary Self -
Certification program and its established policies and procedures will be issued a building permit within five business days from the date of the approved completeness check and submission of plans accepted by the Building & Safety Division.
13. Inspection Protocol. All code-required State of California and City of Riverside inspections are required.
14. Audits. The Building Official shall develop an auditing policy for the Program. All Self- Certified plans are subject to random auditing by the Building Official, or designee, to determine whether plans comply with the applicable State of California and City of Riverside laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations. If plans are found to be in non -compliance, then the Approved Professional who filed the application must resubmit corrected plans through the plan review process. A failure to comply with the auditing policy, or other polic ies and procedures established for the Self-Certification Program by the Building Official is grounds for revo cation of the Approved Licensed Design Professional designation and exclusion from the Self - Certification Program, among other remedies permitted by law.