UNDERSTANDING THE PROJECT
Start with the space and the proposed use
A Change of Use or Certificate of Occupancy project starts with understanding the commercial space as it exists today and how the new business intends to use it.
Existing approvals or records, the previous use when known, the proposed business activity and any planned changes to the space can all affect the documentation that may be needed for municipal review.
AU Design US helps define the drawing and documentation scope for the actual property, proposed use and applicable jurisdiction.
PLANS & SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
What AU Design US may prepare
Change of Use and Certificate of Occupancy projects do not all require the same drawings or supporting information. Depending on the property, proposed use and municipality, the documentation scope may include some of the following.
Not every project requires every item listed in this section. Documentation needs depend on the property, proposed use, project scope and reviewing municipality.
OCCUPANCY & PARKING
Occupancy and parking can affect the documentation
A proposed business use can change the information a municipality needs to review. Occupancy and parking are two common considerations, but the requirements depend on the property, proposed use and jurisdiction.
Occupancy calculations
Occupancy calculations help document how many occupants a space is intended to accommodate based on its proposed use, floor area and applicable requirements.
When required, AU Design US can prepare project-specific occupancy information as part of the drawing and documentation package.
Parking analysis
A proposed business use may have different parking considerations than the previous use. When parking information is required, the available site conditions and applicable municipal requirements need to be evaluated for the actual project.
AU Design US can prepare parking documentation where it forms part of the agreed Change of Use or Certificate of Occupancy scope.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
From existing conditions to accurate documentation
Accurate Change of Use and Certificate of Occupancy drawings depend on reliable information about the existing space. When current plans are unavailable, incomplete or no longer match the property, the existing conditions may need to be documented before project drawings can be prepared.
Depending on the project, AU Design US can work from available landlord or building plans, field measurements, photographs and 3D capture technology to establish an accurate starting point.
Leica BLK360 LiDAR scanning
Leica BLK360 LiDAR can capture detailed three-dimensional information about an existing space. It is particularly useful when accurate dimensions and existing geometry are important to the drawing scope.
Matterport 3D capture
Matterport creates a navigable visual record of the property that can support documentation, coordination and continued reference to the space after the site visit.
The appropriate documentation method depends on the condition of the available plans, the complexity of the space and the requirements of the project.
PROJECT WORKFLOW
From project information to a coordinated document set
The exact scope varies by project, but the process generally moves from understanding the property and proposed use to documenting existing conditions, preparing the required drawings and completing the agreed plan package.
01
Review the location and proposed use
We review the property address, municipality, existing or previous use when known, proposed business activity and any available plans, records or project information.
02
Establish the existing conditions
Reliable existing plans may be used when available. When needed, field measurements, photographs or 3D capture can help document the current space accurately.
03
Prepare the project documentation
AU Design US develops the agreed drawings and supporting information, which may include floor plans, site information, occupancy documentation, parking analysis and other project-specific requirements.
04
Complete the drawing scope
The document set is finalized within the agreed scope, and AU Design US can address drawing-related review comments or revisions when they apply to the work prepared by our team.
Municipal review and approval remain outside AU Design US’s control. The applicable municipality determines final submittal requirements, review timing, inspections, approval and Certificate of Occupancy issuance.
Tell Us About Your Project or Partnership
Tell us about your current project or the way your design firm typically works. We’ll use the information to understand the drafting support you need and whether you’re looking for help with one project, recurring work, or both.
DALLAS–FORT WORTH SERVICE AREA
Change of Use requirements vary across Dallas–Fort Worth
Commercial occupancy and Change of Use requirements can differ from one municipality to another. AU Design US prepares project documentation around the property, proposed use, applicable jurisdiction and agreed scope rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all checklist.
Serving communities across the Metroplex
- Dallas
- Fort Worth
- Arlington
- Plano
- Frisco
- McKinney
- Irving
- Garland
- Richardson
- Carrollton
- Grapevine
- Southlake
Project-specific municipal requirements
Depending on the city and project, the documentation or review scope may involve different combinations of:
Existing use and occupancy information
Previous approvals, existing Certificates of Occupancy or documented uses may affect the starting point.
Floor plan or site information
Some projects require information about the tenant space, building or surrounding property.
Occupancy and parking documentation
These may be relevant depending on the proposed use and local requirements.
Construction or finish-out scope
Physical alterations can create separate building-permit or finish-out drawing requirements.
Consultants, inspections or other review items
Additional professional services or municipal review steps may apply depending on the project.
The reviewing municipality determines the final requirements for the property and proposed use.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Change of Use & Certificate of Occupancy FAQs
Requirements vary by municipality, property and proposed use. These answers explain the general role of AU Design US and the types of documentation that may be required.
What is a Change of Use?
A Change of Use generally refers to a situation where the proposed use of a commercial space differs from its previous or approved use in a way that requires additional municipal review or documentation. The exact definition and requirements depend on the jurisdiction and project.
What is a Certificate of Occupancy?
A Certificate of Occupancy, often called a CO, is issued by the applicable municipality to document that a space may be occupied for an approved use after the required reviews, inspections or other conditions have been satisfied.
AU Design US prepares plans and supporting documentation for projects involving CO review, but the municipality determines whether a CO is issued.
How do I know whether my business needs a new Certificate of Occupancy?
That depends on the municipality, the property’s existing approvals, the previous use and the business you plan to operate.
A new tenant, a different business use, physical alterations or other changes may affect the requirements. AU Design US can review the project information and help identify the drawing and documentation scope within its services.
Does changing tenants always require a Change of Use?
No. A tenant change and a Change of Use are not necessarily the same thing.
Some municipalities may require updated occupancy documentation for a new tenant even when the type of use remains similar, while a different proposed use may trigger additional review. Requirements should be confirmed for the actual property and jurisdiction.
What drawings may be required for a Change of Use or CO project?
Depending on the project and municipality, documentation may include:
- existing floor plans;
- proposed floor plans;
- site information or a site plan;
- occupancy information;
- parking information;
- dimensions and room-use labels;
- other project-specific plan information.
Not every project requires every item.
Can AU Design US work from existing landlord or building plans?
Yes, when the available plans are sufficiently current and accurate for the project.
If existing drawings are incomplete, outdated or unavailable, additional field documentation may be needed before accurate plans can be prepared.
What is an occupancy calculation?
An occupancy calculation helps document how many occupants a space is intended to accommodate based on the proposed use, floor area and applicable requirements.
When required, AU Design US can prepare project-specific occupancy information as part of the drawing package.
When is a parking analysis needed?
Parking may become relevant when the proposed use has different parking considerations from the previous use or when the reviewing municipality requires parking information.
A parking analysis is not required for every project. The need depends on the property, proposed use, site conditions and jurisdiction.
What if accurate drawings of the existing space are not available?
AU Design US can use field measurements, photographs and, when appropriate, Leica BLK360 LiDAR or Matterport 3D capture to document existing conditions.
The appropriate method depends on the complexity of the space and the accuracy required for the project.
What if my project also involves remodeling or tenant improvements?
If the project includes changes to walls, ceilings, layouts, equipment or other building elements, it may also require a separate construction drawing package.
AU Design US prepares commercial finish-out plans for commercial interior modifications and tenant-improvement projects.
Will I need structural, mechanical, electrical or plumbing engineering?
Some projects require licensed professional services in addition to drafting.
When structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing or other licensed engineering services are required, the appropriate consultant is retained separately by the client. AU Design US can coordinate relevant consultant information within the agreed drafting scope.
How do I get a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) in Dallas?
In Dallas, Certificate of Occupancy applications are submitted through DallasNow with the required application information and Land Use Questionnaire. If the proposed use differs from the previous use, the application may be routed for Building Code and Zoning review, and supporting documentation such as a site plan, floor plan or parking analysis may be required. After applicable reviews are completed, required inspections must pass before the City releases the CO.
AU Design US can prepare the floor plans, occupancy information, parking analysis and other supporting drawings required within the agreed project scope. The municipality determines the final requirements, review schedule, inspections and whether the Certificate of Occupancy is approved and issued. Requirements also vary among Dallas–Fort Worth municipalities, so the exact process depends on the project location and proposed use.
START YOUR PROJECT
Tell us about your location and proposed use
Share what you know about the property, the existing or previous use and the business you plan to operate. AU Design US can review the available information and help define the drawing and documentation scope for your project.
Helpful information may include:
- Property address
- City or reviewing municipality
- Existing or previous use, if known
- Proposed business use
- Existing landlord or building plans
- Current Certificate of Occupancy information, if available
- Sketches, photographs or other project files
- Any known remodeling or finish-out work
Prefer to talk first?
What happens next?
- We review the property and proposed use
We look at the location, municipality, available plans and the project information you provide. - We identify the likely documentation scope
We determine what AU Design US can prepare and whether additional existing-condition documentation or separately retained consultants may be needed. - We outline the project scope
You receive the proposed drafting scope, deliverables, fee and schedule for AU Design US’s work.
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