How to Build a Commercial Kitchen in California

When I built out commercial kitchen plans in California, I had to go through a structured permit and approval process. What follows are the exact steps I took, using MealPro LLC’s real commercial kitchen plans as an example—so you can see what approved drawings look like and learn from my experience.

The attached commercial kitchen plans show the actual drawings I submitted and got approved in California.

Step 1: Assemble My Team

To submit plans for a commercial kitchen building permit in California, I worked with three key professionals:

• Architect: My architect managed and coordinated the overall design. They were the “keeper of the plans” and made sure everything complied with local building codes and health department requirements. I always acted as the project manager to keep tabs on progress—so for me, this was not a case of fully delegating. This role was especially important in case I needed to change the team, as I always maintained my own copy of the CAD drawings and the latest progress updates. I also served as the main point of contact. I recommend clarifying this upfront and including it in your contract with the architect. Remember the old adage: Trust, but verify.

• Structural Engineer: My structural engineer created structural drawings (marked with an “S” on the plans) to ensure the kitchen’s walls, ceilings, and other load-bearing components met California safety standards.

• Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Engineer: My MEP engineer designed the critical systems like ventilation, gas lines, electrical wiring, water supply, and drainage.

Step 2: Submit My Drawings for Approval

Once my architect and engineers finalized the drawings, I submitted them to the city’s building department. If the property had been in an unincorporated area, I would have submitted them to the county building department instead. The county then forwarded my plans to relevant agencies, which included:

• Fire Department
• Health Department
• Planning & Zoning Department

Each agency reviewed and approved its section. Once all approvals were in place, my commercial kitchen plans were officially approved for construction.

Step 3: Move to Construction (RFP Stage)

After receiving final plan approval, I sent the drawings to construction companies and requested formal bids (RFPs) to build the kitchen. I noticed I had a much better email and phone call return rate when I attached the PDF of the approved plans.

Key Takeaways From My Experience Building a Commercial Kitchen in California

• Start with a strong team—an experienced architect and engineers were critical to a smooth approval process.
• Know your jurisdiction—city vs. county requirements were different.
• Expect multiple agency reviews—I had to build extra time into the project schedule.
• Use real-world examples—my approved commercial kitchen plans can serve as a reference for layout and compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Did I actually build a commercial kitchen from scratch?

No. While I went through the entire design and permitting process—and even received final approval—I ultimately decided not to build a new commercial kitchen from the ground up. Instead, I purchased a second-generation restaurant (a facility that was already built and previously operated). Ironically, the very day I completed that purchase, my approved building permit for the new kitchen came back from the city.

Why did I decide to buy instead of build?

Purchasing an existing food-service facility allowed me to begin operations much faster and at a lower cost than starting from scratch. It also saved months of construction time and eliminated the uncertainty of potential delays during the building phase.

What is a second-generation restaurant?

A second-generation restaurant is a food-service location that has been previously built and operated, often with much of the required infrastructure—such as grease traps, ventilation hoods, and plumbing—already in place. For me, this significantly reduced startup costs and approval timelines.