A practical method for answering structural, building, zoning, MEP and DERM plan-review comments and preparing cleaner permit resubmittals.
Read the full review, not only the red comment
Before anyone starts drawing, identify the reviewing discipline, sheet or document referenced, code concern and requested action. Some comments are informational, some require a new document and others require an actual design change.
Also check whether the same issue appears in another discipline. A Building comment about an opening may connect to Structural; a Plumbing change may affect DERM or civil utilities.
Turn the review into a response matrix
For projects with multiple comments, create a simple tracker with the comment number, reviewer, responsible party, required response, affected sheets and status. This prevents one unresolved comment from being forgotten while the rest of the package is being revised.
The response should be specific. “Corrected” is weaker than “Door width revised to X on A-2.1 and accessibility note added to A-6.0.” The reviewer should be able to find the answer quickly.
Ask for clarification before redesigning when necessary
If a comment can reasonably be interpreted in two ways, clarification can save a full review cycle. Many South Florida jurisdictions provide reviewer meetings, office hours or assistance programs. Use them when the cost of guessing is high.
Bring the permit number, exact comment and a focused question. The goal is not to debate the reviewer; it is to understand what evidence or change will satisfy the review.
Coordinate every affected discipline
After the technical response is prepared, compare it against the rest of the plans. A change to ceiling height can affect mechanical routing and lighting; a revised structural opening can affect architectural dimensions and waterproofing details.
This interdisciplinary check is one of the best ways to avoid “new” comments created by the previous correction.
Submit a clean rework package
Follow the jurisdiction’s file-naming and revision rules, upload only what the portal expects, validate digital signatures and include the response narrative or comment sheet when appropriate. Then confirm the resubmittal has actually been accepted into the new review cycle.
MIA Express can manage the comment tracker, coordinate with the architect/engineers and process the rework so owners and contractors have a clear picture of what is still open.
Official resources
Permit requirements change. For current forms, portal instructions and agency-specific rules, verify the project against the applicable government source: