How to Respond to DPP Plan Check Comments: A Practical Guide for Architects
Receiving a DPP plan check comment letter is not a failure — it is a normal part of the permit process. What determines whether your project takes one more round or three is the quality of the response. Plan checkers process high volumes of resubmittals; a response that makes their job easy moves faster than one that requires follow-up questions.
What a comment letter is — and what it is not
A DPP plan check comment letter (sometimes called a correction sheet) is an itemized list of deficiencies in your submitted documents. Each item typically includes: the item number, the sheet or location on the drawings where the issue was found, the code section cited, and a description of what is required.
A comment letter is not a conversation starter. It is a checklist. When you respond to it, you are demonstrating that every item on the checklist has been resolved. If your response addresses 11 of 12 comments and the 12th comment gets a general response that does not directly resolve the issue, the resubmittal will come back again.
Plan checkers are not required to identify new issues during a resubmittal review that they did not identify on the first check. However, if a correction creates a new problem — for example, if moving a wall to satisfy a setback comment creates a non-compliant room dimension — the plan checker may flag the new issue. This is not unusual and is not a sign of bad faith.
How to format your response
DPP does not have a mandatory response format, but there is a structure that works consistently:
- 1.Cover letter. A brief letter on firm letterhead identifying the project (address, permit number, plan check number), the date of the original comment letter, and a statement that all comments have been addressed. List the comment numbers addressed.
- 2.Comment-by-comment response table. A table or numbered list that reproduces each comment and provides a written response. The response should state specifically what was changed and where on the drawings the change can be found (sheet number, detail number, or general note number).
- 3.Revised drawings. Resubmit the full drawing set, not just the revised sheets, unless DPP has specifically authorized a partial resubmittal. Use a revision cloud and delta to identify all changes from the previous submission.
- 4.Supporting documentation. If a comment requires supporting documentation (updated energy compliance report, structural calculation revision, soils report), include it as a separate attachment referenced in the response table.
Responding to the most common comment types
What DPP wants to see: The corrected setback dimension shown on the site plan with a clear dimension line from the structure to the property line. The dimension must meet or exceed the LUO minimum for the district. If you are relying on a prevailing setback, document the prevailing condition with a table of existing front-yard dimensions for properties on the same block face.
Response language: "Comment addressed. Site plan revised on Sheet A-1 to show 15′-0″ front yard setback (15′ min. required per ROH §21-3.50, District R-7.5, Table 21-3.4). See revision cloud, Sheet A-1."
What DPP wants to see: The general notes updated with the correct code edition, occupancy classification, construction type, and sprinkler determination. These should all be consistent with each other and with the plans.
Response language: "Comment addressed. General notes on Sheet A-0 updated to reflect: IBC 2018 as adopted by ROH Chapter 16; Occupancy Classification R-3; Construction Type V-B; Non-sprinklered. See revision cloud, Sheet A-0."
What DPP wants to see: A revised ResCheck or energy compliance report that matches the assemblies shown on the drawings. If the wall section shows R-19 insulation and the ResCheck was calculated with R-13, the ResCheck must be recalculated with R-19 — or the wall section must be revised to match the ResCheck.
Response language: "Comment addressed. Revised ResCheck report enclosed (dated [date]). Wall section on Sheet A-5 revised to match ResCheck input: 2x6 stud wall, R-21 batt insulation, per ResCheck Assembly W-1. See revision cloud, Sheet A-5."
How to handle it: If you believe the plan checker has misread the code or misapplied it to your project, you have the right to respond with a written code interpretation argument. Be specific: quote the code section, explain your reading, and explain why your design complies under that reading. Do not simply say "we disagree" — provide the argument. If the plan checker maintains their position, you may request a supervisory review.
Mistakes that trigger a third round
- Partial responses. Addressing 11 of 12 comments and leaving the 12th with "see revised drawings" without a specific citation will send the submission back.
- Revision clouds that do not match the response. If the response says Sheet A-2 was revised and there is no revision cloud on A-2, the plan checker will flag it.
- Creating new issues while fixing old ones. Moving a wall to fix a setback comment that results in a corridor narrower than the IBC minimum will generate a new comment. Review all cascading effects before resubmitting.
- Inconsistency between sheets. A dimension corrected on the site plan but not on the floor plan, or a general note updated but not the detail, will come back.
- Not including all required documentation. If the response references an updated structural calculation that is not included in the resubmittal package, it will be returned.
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Published by Ikena Permit, a DBA of Ikena Design & Build LLC, Honolulu, HI. Informational only. DPP procedures are subject to change — verify current resubmittal requirements with DPP directly. Last reviewed May 2026.