Important Q3 Code & Compliance Update for Tenant Improvements
What Owners & Managers Need to Know
Have you ever witnessed a T.I. schedule bust over one missing checklist items during plan check submission and or ADA code compliance issues flagged by a city inspector? If so, then this is for you. This quarter brought awareness so some issues that impact project completion dates, especially for office renovation in Southern California. Here’s what owners, property managers, and decision-makers in Orange County should know now to keep projects moving.
What’s New (and Why It Matters) in Orange County & SoCal
The short version: agencies are clarifying expectations and tightening documentation. For a tenant improvement contractor in Orange County, the difference between a clean first submittal and a time-consuming re-review often comes down to anticipating these shifts early.
Accessibility & ADA: Expect Closer Scrutiny on Path of Travel
Several jurisdictions have demanded building owners update their buildings to ADA compliance which includes paths of travel, restroom clearances, ADA parking updates, signage etc. These items are being implemented consistently and if not completed, will delay your building final.
In older buildings, it can trigger more lengthy accessibility scopes (think restroom reconfigurations, and adjusted clearances).
Strategy: During pre-design, have your contractor and architect walk the route from parking to tenant entry, then through restrooms and primary corridors. Capture existing conditions, flag likely triggers, and price alternates up front so you can authorize upgrades to avoid unexpected costs during the project.
Energy & Envelope: California Amendments Tighten Performance
California’s energy updates continue to raise the bar on fenestration U-factors, assembly performance, and acceptance testing:
If your T.I. touches storefronts, exterior penetrations, or HVAC, expect additional acceptance testing and documentation at plan review.
Envelope mods, even small ones, can cascade into Title 24 documentation updates.
Strategy: Align MEP engineers’, architect, and contractor early around the exact testing and forms expected by the reviewing jurisdiction. Ask your energy consultant to prep a checklist tied to the current code cycle so the plan set, calcs, and submittals match.
E-Permitting & Plan Review: Faster…Until It Isn’t
Cities across Orange County and Greater Los Angeles continue rolling out e-permitting platforms and new submittal checklists. Digital filing can speed intake, but we’re seeing re-submittals caused by:
Mismatched file formats (sheeted PDFs vs. combined, naming conventions, sheet stamps).
Out-of-date checklists circulating online vs. the version plan reviewers are using.
Strategy: Before you file, have your team confirm the current checklist and file standards with the local building department. Build the submission process in the schedule; one day up front can save weeks of delays.
Indoor Air Quality & Ventilation: Higher Bars for Occupant Health
Federal and state guidance emphasizes mechanical ventilation rates and minimum filtration for occupied commercial spaces. Projects that increase occupant density or re-zone HVAC should plan for:
Upgraded filtration, commissioning, and, in some cases, IAQ testing.
Coordinated controls sequences to prove ventilation performance.
Strategy: In the design phase, ask, “Will headcount or use change?” If yes, assume filtration and commissioning will be required. Get your engineer or design build team early to align expectations and avoid punch-list delays at closeout.
Recommended Next Steps (Practical & Actionable)
Pre-Design Compliance Review
Walk the space with your architect and contractor to identify path-of-travel and permit triggers before design hardens.Add a Code Contingency
Include 3–7% (building-age dependent) in early budgets for ADA, energy, and life-safety surprises.Confirm E-Permit Requirements
Call the jurisdiction to verify checklist versions, file naming, and stamping expectations. Document it.Plan for IAQ/MEP Impacts
If HVAC or occupancy changes are likely, include filtration upgrades, commissioning, and IAQ documentation in scope and schedule.Coordinate Fire/Life Safety Early
Share egress, ratings, and notification system assumptions with the fire authority up front to avoid late-stage redesign.
How We Can Help (Orange County + SoCal)
As a tenant improvement contractor in Orange County, we track these shifts in real time and build them into scope, sequencing, and submittals so your office renovation in Southern California stays predictable. Whether it’s a quick plan-set review before submittal or a full pre-construction engagement, we’ll help you de-risk permits, right-size budgets, and keep the schedule intact.
With the right pre-checks, code updates don’t have to derail your timeline. We’ll help you plan ahead, avoid surprises, and deliver spaces built to last.
Schedule a call with us today!