Do not print four sets of residential plans just because Cleveland’s Family Dwelling Permits page still says to do so. The City’s dated construction notice says it stopped accepting paper applications and paper plans on April 13, 2026. Applications go through the Permit Portal, with plans and supporting documents uploaded digitally. Construction notice
The older family-dwelling page remains useful for its drawing-content list, but its paper-submission instruction conflicts with that notice. LSL has separated the two questions: what the drawings need to show, and how to submit them.
Check the contents before checking the file
This is an LSL completeness aid based on the City’s residential list. Individual projects may require different material. Put the applicable sheet number beside each item, or ask the reviewer whether it applies.
| Drawing group | Information to locate | Sheet number or question |
|---|---|---|
| Identification | Project address, parcel numbers, drawing index and symbol legend | __________ |
| Site | Buildings, utilities, property lines, setbacks and distances between buildings | __________ |
| Floor plans | Basements, walls, windows, stairs and room uses | __________ |
| Exterior and sections | Elevations, floor heights, wall/floor/ceiling construction and materials | __________ |
| Structure | Principal elements, design loads and foundation information | __________ |
| Building systems | Mechanical, electrical and plumbing layouts; lighting and power | __________ |
The residential requirements describe potential contents, not a guarantee that every drawing package will be accepted. The general permits page explains when drawings or professional assistance may be required. Having a complete index does not make an inadequate design approvable.
Prepare the upload
The Digital Plan Room standards call for PDF files at a minimum 300 dpi, scaled landscape plans, and page numbers in the lower-right corner. Names must be no longer than 100 characters and contain no spaces or special characters. Supporting documents belong in separate files rather than inside the plan-sheet PDF.
Include a contents page or exported bookmarks; otherwise sheet titles must be added manually after upload. As a final check, open the PDF you will actually submit—not just the drawing application’s source file—and inspect the scale, orientation, page identifiers and legibility.
Project approval comes before the building permit
The City’s permit instructions say a building-permit applicant first completes a Project application and receives approval. Zoning, Planning, Landmarks, Right of Way and other bodies may participate. Which reviews apply depends on the project; do not treat this as a fixed list of approvals every house must obtain.
In your project folder, keep these results distinct:
- Project approval and any conditions.
- Building-permit issuance and its approved drawings.
- Separate electrical, HVAC or plumbing permits required for the work.
A project number or one department’s approval is not the complete set of permits.
Correct the sheets that actually changed
Cleveland does not permit mid-cycle plan uploads. Wait for the review-cycle completion notice. For resubmission, upload only revised sheets and retain their original page names, numbers, orientation and scale. The City distinguishes drawing issues requiring correction from conditions that can be resolved in the field. Digital review guidance
Before uploading a revision, compare each review comment with the affected sheet. Note where it was addressed; if you disagree or cannot interpret a comment, seek clarification instead of silently removing it. Download and use the approved version when review is complete.
When the status screen seems behind
The public Permit Tracker accepts a record number, address or parcel and says it updates once daily. It links to Accela for live information. Record the time you checked, but do not describe a daily snapshot as live status or as an occupancy certificate.
For submission help, the City lists kiosks in Room 505 and scanning assistance for plans with fewer than five pages sized 10 by 18 inches or smaller. That assistance is not a general paper-submission exception. Digital transition notice
Verification and the submission conflict
Reviewed September 13, 2026. LSL reconciled the conflicting submission instructions and organized the drawing and upload checks. We did not submit a project, test an authenticated account or measure permit turnaround.