eBuild Help: New Projects

To apply for building permits through the eBuild system, manage them and track their progress, you start by creating a new project. A new project starts when you submit the application and supporting documentation, continues through plan review, approval and construction and typically ends when all inspections have been completed and the Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance has been issued.

Step 1: Prepare Your Plans

For details on preparing your plans and other documentation for submittal to eBuild, see eBuild Help: Submitting Plans and eBuild Help: Naming Files.

If you're applying for a trade permit, such as electrical, plumbing or residential mechanical, which doesn't require plan review, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Download and Complete the Application

eBuild applications forms are fillable PDFs which allow you to save your responses directly into the form. Simply download the form to your computer and complete it in the latest version of Adobe Reader or other compatible software. Saving the form will save the responses directly into the PDF.

The following project application forms are currently available for eBuild projects:

Step 3: Create a New Project

To create a new project, log in to your eBuild account and click the New Project button at the top of the eBuild Account screen. First you'll select the type of project you want to start. Then you'll be asked to give the project a name and to upload the completed application form.

Your newly created project will have a project status of Application Submitted.

Project Names

When you create a new project, we ask you to give it a short name. You can name the project anything you want. The name is mainly for your convenience, so you can name a project anything that's meaningful to you and others who you may designate as project members. We don't make any attempt to ensure that project names are unique within the eBuild system.

We'll also assign the project a unique permit number, but the numbers aren't easy to recognize or remember. We'll include both the project name and permit number on all documents and communications related to the project.

Once your project is accepted for review, we'll also display the job site address with the project name, so you don't need to include the address in the name.

Step 4: Submit Your Plans

You can begin submitting plans for your project as soon as it's created. You can submit more than one batch. If you add other members to the project, they can also submit plans.

When you've started submitting plans, the status of your project will change to Submitting Plans.

If you're applying for a trade permit, you won't be asked to submit plans. The status of your project will change to Application Submittal Completed.

Multiple File Selection Not Supported

Your web browser does not support selecting multiple files for a single upload. This will make it inconvenient to upload your plan drawings which must be organized with one sheet per file.

We recommend that you use a browser which supports multiple file selection to make uploading plan files easier:

Multiple File Selection Tip

Your web browser supports selecting multiple files for a single upload. How you select more than one file depends on your operating system.

Selecting Multiple Files

Holding down the Ctrl key (the Command key on a Mac) while clicking on each file usually works. To select multiple files that are continguous in a listing, you can usually select the first file, then hold down the Shift key and select the last file.

Step 5: Complete the Application Submittal

We won't do anything with your application until you indicate that you've submitted everything. To indicate that you're finished submitting plans and your application is ready for review, be sure to click the Application Complete button after the last batch of plans is uploaded.

When you've completed this step, the status of your project will change to Application Submittal Completed.

What Happens Next?

That's all there is to it. Now it's up to City staff to screen your application and other materials. You should receive a notice about whether your project has been accepted for review within three business days.

When your application is accepted, the status will change to Application Accepted.

For details on what happens next, see eBuild Help: Project Life Cycle.