How to Respond to Plan Review Corrections in Vancouver, WA

The City of Vancouver reviews building permits in ePlans. Every discipline reviews at the same time, and anything that has to change comes back as a changemark. The permit moves only when every changemark has an answer and the revised sheets are in.

How a Vancouver review runs

1. Email the signed application, without plans, to the ePlans address.

2. Pay the review fees. Plans cannot be uploaded until fees are paid.

3. Upload to the folders ePlans assigns, following the City's file naming guide.

4. A permit specialist prescreens the submittal and emails a list if anything is missing.

5. Disciplines review at the same time and post changemarks.

6. Once every review is finished, the Applicant Resubmit Task opens for corrected plans.

Answering changemarks

• Answer each one in the applicant response column. A changemark with no response reads as not addressed.

• Keep the original file name. Revised sheets must use the same name as the sheet they replace so ePlans can version them.

• Wait for all reviews. Resubmittal opens only after every discipline is done; uploading early is not possible.

• Fix the drawing, not just the reply. The response should name the sheet and detail where each item is resolved.

Where reviews stall

The City says the biggest factor in review time is how closely the submittal follows its requirements and the quality of the plans. The usual causes of a second or third round are missing utility, stormwater or energy forms, structural calculations that do not match the framing plan, and a site plan that does not show what the zoning reviewer needs. The model building codes treat an application as abandoned 180 days after filing unless it is being pursued in good faith, and allow the building official to extend it (IBC and IRC Section 105.3.2). Confirm the local rule and the date on your file before you assume there is time left.

Common questions

What is a changemark in Vancouver ePlans?

It is a correction posted by a City reviewer on your plans. You respond to each one in the applicant response column before resubmitting.

Can I upload corrections before every review is done?

No. The Applicant Resubmit Task opens once all reviews are finished.

How should revised sheets be named?

With exactly the same file name as the original sheet, so ePlans can version it.

How SASHKOV handles it

• Reads every correction comment and builds one item list across all review disciplines.

• Coordinates structural, civil, energy and survey items with the licensed consultants under one SASHKOV contract.

• Revises the set so every item is resolved on the drawings, with a response that names the sheet and detail for each comment.

• Resubmits one complete package through the City's portal and tracks each review to issuance, in business days.

Where a building requires a licensed architect or engineer of record, SASHKOV brings them into the contract.

Stuck on changemarks? See Corrections and Permit Recovery and the City of Vancouver permit page.

Have changemarks open now? Send the changemarks and permit number, and SASHKOV will scope the response and the timeline in business days.