PDF versions of commercial site plans and an Electronic Application Form can be submitted via e-mail to the Land Development inbox, ldplans@charlottenc.gov.   Review fees must be paid at this point via cash, credit card, check (payable to the "City of Charlotte"), or an established Mecklenburg County account - see the User Fee Schedule.  Once fees are received by City Land Development, the plan review can proceed.  Utilizing on-screen comment & markup software, City plan reviewers can now simultaneously do an EPLAN review within the typical review timeframe.  LD Plan Coordinators will return a single PDF file including all reviewers' comments back to the customer's e-mail address as indicated in the Application.  The customer can then re-send their revised plans back to the ldplans inbox to begin the next round of review.  Once all reviews are complete and the plans are approved by all reviewers, the PDF will be electronically stamped "approved" and attached as a permanent archive copy to the project record in the Accela permitting software (visit Accela Citizen Access).

Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement will also be accepting submittals of commercial plans for electronic plan review.  Their process is similar to the City Land Development EPLAN Review process.  Please visit the Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement website for Electronic Plan Review for more information.

Please read the Requirements and FAQ below for more information on how to use EPLAN Review!

REQUIREMENTS

• Plans must be "to scale", PDF format, scanned original plans, with professional seal & signature (or other acceptable electronic format per NCBELS regulations 21 NCAC 56.1103)
• Include a PDF of engineering calculations, drainage area maps, exhibits, and/or supporting documentation
• Include the appropriate application form:
  • Commercial Site Review Application 
  • Expedited Commercial Review Application 
  • Urban Design Review Application 
• Include a completed Financial Responsibility Form for projects involving land disturbance of one acre or greater.
• E-mail all required information to the dedicated e-mail inbox:  ldplans@charlottenc.gov
• PLEASE NOTE - E-mail size limit including attached files: 30 MB
• You will receive a confirmation e-mail to let you know that the plans have been received.
• Review fees must be paid via cash, credit card, check (payable to the "City of Charlotte"), or an established Mecklenburg County account - see the User Fee Schedule. 
• Please contact Land Development Division by telephone at 704-336-6692 with any customer service questions about EPLAN Review.

HELPFUL RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Plot the plans and ensure the design professional has sealed and signed them, then scan back in to PDF.  Exporting drawings from AutoCAD directly to PDF will keep the CAD "objects" in the file and subsequently create a much larger PDF file size.
• When scanning plan sheets, set the scanner to around 100-150 dpi resolution.  This creates a clear, legible PDF but keeps file size to a minimum.
• Combine multiple PDF sheets in Acrobat, using the "Smaller file size" setting which compresses the image even more but keeps it legible. 
• Ensure that all pages are in order, and rotated properly for viewing on-screen.
• It is recommended that you create combined PDFs of 15 Mb size or less if possible to facilitate plan archiving in Accela, but the ldplans@charlottenc.gov inbox can handle incoming e-mails of up to 30 MB.
• When e-mailing plans to ldplans@charlottenc.gov, you can also use a shareware ZIP program like WinZIP to create a single compressed archive of the PDF(s).

What type of Plan can I submit as an EPLAN?
What electronic format can I submit my EPLANs in?
How do I track the status of my EPLAN review?
Can I submit a Revision to a Previously Approved Plan?

What type of plan can I submit as an EPLAN?
Regular new commercial plans, expedited commercial plans, Urban plans, Storm Drainage As-builts, Detention As-builts, and PCCO As-builts are accepted for EPLAN review.  (top)

What electronic format can I submit my EPLANs in?
Currently to utilize the EPLAN Review process we require that you submit your plans in PDF format (to scale).  It is critical that the submittal meets the NCBELS rules and regulations for electronically submitted plans.  The simplest way to meet these rules is to ensure that your plans are plotted, signed and sealed by a professional, scanned, and saved to PDF format.   (top)

How do I track the status of my EPLAN review?
The EPLAN process is set up to mimic the physical plan submittal and review process.  For this reason, you should continue to use ACCELA Citizen Access to track the status of your plan.  Please visit Accela Citizen Access at http://aca.accela.com/charlotte/ and utilize the "Search Applications" feature to find the detailed entry for your project.   (top)

Can I submit a Revision to a Previously Approved Plan?
Yes, simply indicate that is what it is on the electronic Application form and submit the proper review fee for a revision.  Because there is no "insert" or "slipsheet" process required with EPLANs, the revision to the plan should include the entire plan set  - not just select revised sheets.     (top)

What notification do I receive when the plan is approved, and will I get the plans sent back to me?
When all reviewers have approved an EPLAN, they will sign off in the Accela permitting system accordingly.  If the plan review is finalized and no additional reviews are needed (i.e. NCDOT driveway permit review), the PDF plans including Acrobat approval stamps added will be e-mailed back to the applicant, and subsequently attached to the Accela permit record for the project as a related document.  As needed, the LD Plan Review Coordinators will contact the applicant by telephone or e-mail to let them know the plans are approved.  (top)