Building Confidence: A Permit Technician’s Guide to Plan Review
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- Non-member - $90
- Member - $90
Description: This course equips permit technicians with the knowledge and skills to confidently perform over-the-counter (OTC) plan reviews. Participants will gain a clear understanding of their role in the OTC process, learn to assess submittals for completeness, read and interpret basic plan sets, and determine whether a project requires a permit. Through structured modules and real-world scenarios, the course blends technical concepts with practical tools to build both competence and confidence at the permit counter. This includes recognizing when other departments or outside agencies must be involved, distinguishing OTC reviews from routed plan reviews, and viewing a start-to-finish example OTC plan review. This course is for permit technicians, front counter staff, and development services employees at beginner to intermediate levels.
Course Time: 2 training hours
ICC Preferred Provider Course Number 50199 (0.2 CEUs):
Modules:
- Module 1: Permit Technician, Plan Review and Knowing Your Role
- Module 2: Is a Permit Required?
- Module 3: Other Departments and Agencies
- Module 4: How to Read the Plans – The Basics
- Module 5: Completeness Check
- Module 6: OTC or Route – Understanding the Difference
- Module 7: Example OTC Review
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the scope, limits, and responsibilities of a permit technician within the OTC permitting process.
- Understand what projects do or do not require a building permit based on the building code or municipal code.
- Interpret basic construction plan sets, including site plans, floor plans, and elevations, using scale, symbols, and notes.
- Evaluate submittals for completeness and recognize common issues and red flags that may require further routing.
- Perform a step-by-step OTC plan review using a sample project.
Module 1: Permit Technician, Plan Review and Knowing Your Role
Module 2: Is a Permit Required?
Module 3: Other Departments and Agencies
Module 4: How to Read the Plans – The Basics
Module 5: Completeness Check
Module 6: OTC or Route – Understanding the Difference
Module 7: Example OTC Review
Devon Kuhnle
Deputy Building Official, Paso Robles, CA
Devon Kuhnle serves as the Deputy Building Official for the City of Paso Robles, bringing extensive experience in building safety, code navigation, and public-facing customer service. Beginning her career as an Administrative Assistant, Devon progressed through the roles of Building Technician and Development Services Manager before assuming her current position. Her background provides a unique blend of technical expertise and practical, people-focused problem solving—skills that help offer clear guidance, realistic expectations, and effective support to both the public and interdepartmental teams.
Devon has been an active leader within the Central Coast Chapter of the International Code Council, where she served on the Board and is now a Past President. She is also a graduate of CALBO’s Building Officials Leadership Academy (BOLA), further strengthening her foundation in building department leadership and operations.
A proud Central Coast native, Devon holds a degree in Business Management Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her commitment to mentorship, professional development, and elevating the permit technician profession continues to guide her work in the building safety community.
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