Plans & permits · Central Valley, CA
We handle the plans and permits. You build.
Red Tape takes the paperwork side of construction off your plate — drawings, permit submittals and structural engineering stamps — for projects across Turlock, Modesto, Merced and the greater Central Valley.
You’re not alone in this
Permits can feel like a maze. We’ll walk it with you.
Plan check, correction letters, resubmittals, inspections — even experienced builders and homeowners find the permit process confusing and slow, and it’s easy to feel stuck between a great project and the paperwork it requires.
That’s exactly why Red Tape exists. We take the burden off your shoulders: we sort out what your project needs, prepare and submit it, answer the questions that come back, and keep you informed at every step. You stay focused on your project; we’ll handle the red tape.
See how we guide a project →What we do
Plans and permits for Central Valley construction
One partner for the documents that stand between a project and a shovel in the ground.
Plan drafting
Permit-ready construction drawings for additions, remodels, ADUs, new homes and light commercial work.
Learn more →02Permit expediting
We prepare, submit and track your application and handle plan-check corrections with the building department.
Learn more →03Structural engineering & stamped plans
Structural calcs and stamped, wet-signed plans through our licensed structural engineering partner.
Learn more →04Code compliance help
Help resolving code violations, legalizing unpermitted work with as-built plans, and answering plan-check corrections.
Learn more →05Plan check help
Preparing your plans for plan check and responding to plan-check comments.
Learn more →06Use permits
Help preparing conditional and use permit applications.
Learn more →07Site plans
Site plans showing property lines, setbacks, structures and site features for permit submittals.
Learn more →The process
What it really takes to get a permit
- 01
Site research & zoning
Review of the parcel, zoning and setbacks, and the requirements that shape the design.
- 02
Design & drafting
Permit-ready drawings: site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections and details.
- 03
Engineering & stamps
Structural calcs and stamped plans through our licensed structural engineering partner, when required.
- 04
Plan check submittal
A complete application package submitted to the city or county.
- 05
Responding to corrections
We answer plan-check comments and revise drawings until the plans are approved.
- 06
Permit issuance
We track the application through to the issued permit.
- 07
Inspections support
Help understanding inspection requirements and addressing items that come up during construction.
Capabilities
Project types we prepare plans and permits for
The kinds of work we support — a list of capabilities, not past projects.
ADUs
Home additions
Remodels
Garages & accessory structures
New homes
Commercial tenant improvements
Light commercial
Code compliance & as-builts
Plan check preparation
Use permit applications
Site plans
Built for partnership
We work with contractors, homeowners and project teams
Contractors are at the center of every job we support. We take on drafting and permit submittals so your crews stay focused on building. Homeowners get a guide through the process from first sketch to issued permit.
Building permits in Turlock, Modesto & Merced
We work with building departments across Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties. When your project needs it, structural calcs and stamped plans come from our licensed structural engineering partner, coordinated with the permit submittal.
Start your plans and permits
Share the basics of your project and we'll follow up to scope plans, permits, or engineering needs. No obligation.
- Residential and commercial projects
- Turlock, Modesto, Merced, Ceres and surrounding counties
- Built to work alongside your contractor and design team
Tell us about your project
Name, phone, email, project address/city, project type, and a few details. We'll follow up to talk next steps.