Structural Peer Review

An independent review of a project's structural engineering design by a separate licensed structural engineer, typically required by the jurisdiction for complex, unusual, or high-risk structures.

What Is Structural Peer Review?

Structural peer review is an independent evaluation of a project's structural engineering design by a licensed structural engineer who is separate from both the project's design team and the building department. The peer reviewer examines the structural calculations, drawings, and design assumptions to verify that the structure will perform safely under all applicable load conditions. This is not a standard part of every building permit — it's an additional review layer required for projects with elevated structural risk or complexity.

When Peer Review Is Required

Jurisdictions typically require structural peer review for buildings in the highest seismic design categories, structures using innovative or unusual structural systems, buildings over a certain height or size threshold, essential facilities (hospitals, emergency operations centers, schools), structures with long-span or transfer conditions, performance-based design approaches, and projects where the building department lacks in-house expertise to adequately review the structural design.

How the Process Works

The building department selects or approves the peer reviewer from a pre-qualified list. The project's structural engineer submits calculations, drawings, and design criteria to the peer reviewer. The peer reviewer evaluates the design, may request additional information or calculations, and issues a report with findings. Any disagreements between the project engineer and peer reviewer must be resolved before the permit is issued. The project applicant typically pays the peer reviewer's fees, which can range from $10,000 to $100,000+ for large or complex structures.

Typical Timeline

Structural peer review typically takes 3 to 8 weeks, running in parallel with the building department's plan review. Simple peer reviews of well-documented designs may take 2-3 weeks. Complex projects involving performance-based design or innovative structural systems can take 6-12 weeks, especially if multiple rounds of comments and responses are needed. Coordination between the peer reviewer and project engineer can be time-consuming, and unresolved technical disagreements can significantly delay permit issuance.