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Do I need an architect for a remodel in California?
Not always. California law allows plans for most single-family homes of wood-frame construction up to two stories, and for non-structural alterations, to be prepared by a licensed contractor or an unlicensed designer, with a California-licensed engineer stamping the structural calculations. You need a licensed architect when the project goes beyond those limits, such as larger multifamily buildings, non-wood structural systems or designs a city's planning process specifically requires an architect to sign.
| Law | Business and Professions Code § 5537 |
|---|---|
| No architect required | Wood-frame single-family homes up to two stories; non-structural alterations |
| Still required | Licensed engineer for structural design |
| Architect recommended | Complex, hillside, historic or design-review projects |
What the law says
Business and Professions Code section 5537 exempts single-family dwellings of wood-frame construction not more than two stories and a basement, certain small multifamily buildings, and non-structural or non-seismic alterations from the requirement that plans be prepared by a licensed architect. Structural elements, such as beams, shear walls and foundations, still need to be designed or reviewed by a licensed civil or structural engineer, and the building department checks the whole set against the code.
When a designer or design-build contractor is enough
Kitchen and bathroom remodels, most room additions, garage conversions and detached ADUs on single-family lots, and whole-home remodels that stay within the two-story wood-frame limits. A design-build contractor prepares the drawings, coordinates the engineer, and carries the design straight into construction, which removes the hand-off where many projects lose time and money.
When to hire an architect
Complex or highly custom designs, hillside homes with unusual structural systems, historic properties under a landmarks review, projects where the city's design review requires an architect's stamp, and any building outside the section 5537 exemptions. An architect also makes sense when design ambition, not budget, is the point of the project. Oria Builders (CSLB #1029255) offers design and as-built plans as a service and works with licensed engineers and architects where a project needs them.
Related Questions
Who signs the plans for an ADU?
For a wood-frame ADU on a single-family lot, a designer or contractor can prepare the plans with an engineer stamping the structural sheets. Some cities offer pre-approved ADU plans that shorten review.
What are as-built plans?
Measured drawings of the house as it exists today. Most remodels and additions need them as the base for the new design and the permit set.
Does design-build cost less than architect plus contractor?
It often saves time and reduces coordination gaps because one team owns design and construction. Fees vary; compare total project cost and schedule, not just the design fee.
Sources
- California Business and Professions Code § 5537 (who may draw plans)
- California Building Standards Commission
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Answered by Gilad Segev — Founder & Licensed General Contractor, Oria Builders (CSLB #1029255). Last updated October 2, 2026.