How to Respond to Plan Review Comments
A correction letter is not a rejection. It is a list, and lists can be answered. How you answer decides whether you go through one more review cycle or three.
First, read what kind of comment it is
Correction comments usually fall into three groups, and they need different responses.
- ✓ Missing information. The reviewer cannot find something. Usually the fastest to fix.
- ✓ Code compliance. Something does not meet a requirement and the design has to change.
- ✓ Clarification. The drawing is ambiguous and the reviewer wants it stated explicitly.
Answer every comment, in writing, in order
Prepare a written response letter that repeats each comment and states what you did, with the sheet and detail reference. Reviewers work through their own list. If a comment has no visible answer, the whole set often comes back again for that one item.
Do not argue without a code reference
Sometimes the reviewer is working from a different interpretation, and it is legitimate to push back. But do it by citing the code section and showing the calculation, not by asserting that it is fine. A reasoned response with a reference usually gets accepted; an opinion rarely does.
Cloud the changes and reseal
Mark revisions on the drawings so the reviewer can see exactly what changed, update the revision block, and have the sheets resealed where they carry an engineer or architect seal. Submitting unmarked revised sheets forces a full re-review.
When to hand it over
If the comments relate to drawings we prepared, responding is part of the job and not billed separately. If someone else prepared them, we can review the set and handle the resubmittal, but we will tell you honestly if the underlying drawings need more work than the comments suggest.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to respond?
Most jurisdictions set a window after which the application expires, often measured in months. Check the letter itself, because an expired application usually means reapplying and paying again.
Will responding restart the review clock?
Usually yes. Resubmittal generally places you back in the queue, which is why answering everything completely the first time matters more than answering quickly.
Can I call the reviewer?
Often yes, and it can save a cycle when a comment is ambiguous. Keep it short, specific and polite, and follow up in writing so there is a record of what was agreed.