California · Restaurant Conversion
Convert a space into a restaurant in California.
California adds Title 24 energy compliance and CalGreen on top of the IBC base — what works in Phoenix gets re-engineered for California review. LA DBS, SF DBI, San Diego DSD, Oakland, and Sacramento each run distinct rhythms; ADA enforcement is aggressive statewide.
On the ground in California
What changes when you convert here.
Title 24-2022 + CalGreen require restaurant TI projects to demonstrate kitchen-exhaust HVAC compliance with a Form ENV-2A submittal and a Cx (Commissioning) acknowledgment for any HVAC > 10,000 CFM. Most inherited shells lack the Title 24 narrative the new tenant's project needs, so the conversion permit set has to carry energy compliance from zero — typically a 2-4 week add to the AHJ liaison phase.
ADA is enforced at California Building Code §11B-226 / §11B-902 / §11B-606 specifically — counter-height accessible seating, transaction counters, and accessible service areas are corrected almost every first review in LA County and the Bay. Plan 5% of seating (min 1) as ADA-compliant from day one, plus a separate ADA-compliant transaction counter at every cash point.
Plan-check timing varies wildly by jurisdiction: LA DBS averages 8–12 business days first review for restaurant TI; SF DBI runs 14–20 (slowest in the state); San Diego DSD lands 5–8; Oakland 7–10; Sacramento 4–6. Build the project schedule against the WORST case if you don't know the AHJ yet — adding 3 weeks to a budget is much cheaper than discovering it mid-build.
Hood + MUA rule
California requires fan curtailment certifications for any Type I hood > 5,000 CFM (Title 24-2022 §120.6). Confirm the proposed hood schedule lists the fan VFD spec and curtailment hours BEFORE submission — missed Title 24 narratives are the #1 cause of LA + SF restaurant-TI correction cycles.
AHJ quirk
SF DBI is the slowest restaurant-TI plan-check in the country — 14–20 business days first review is normal and corrections often take longer than the original review. LA DBS is faster but enforces ADA aggressively; budget 1–2 cycles minimum for ADA corrections.
Conversion playbooks
Cuisines we convert most in California.
10 / 20
Sushi / Poke / Ramen
Highest density of poke + ramen conversions on the West Coast — FDA parasite-destruction documentation is reviewed line-by-line.
02 / 20
Mexican / Tex-Mex
Statewide; Tijuana-style + Cal-Mex have different equipment profiles that the conversion drawings need to call out.
05 / 20
Coffee Shop / Cafe
Bay Area third-wave coffee conversions stress espresso amperage + 3-phase rough-in in older retail shells.
California · AHJs we file with
- City of Los Angeles LADBS
- City of San Francisco DBI
- City of San Diego
- City of Sacramento
- City of San Jose
- County of Los Angeles
- County of San Diego
- City of Oakland
- City of Berkeley
- City of Fresno
- County of Orange
- County of Alameda
Looking at a California space? Send the address and the menu — we'll send the conversion notes back the same day.
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