ROSS in Glendale Avoids Extended HVAC Downtime with Fast-Track TI Permits

Permit Place recently completed permit expediting services for ROSS on behalf of Lennox NAS in Glendale, CA. The project involved a tenant improvement (TI) HVAC replacement of three units in an active shopping center location, requiring close coordination with local authorities to minimize disruption and keep the schedule on track.

Working with the Community Development Department – Building & Safety Division, our team guided the mechanical permit submittals from initial intake through plan check approval in just 12 days from receipt of plans. The HVAC scope was part of the broader Lennox program, underscoring Permit Place’s ability to manage repeat, multi-site work efficiently.

Challenges

The technical HVAC review itself progressed efficiently, reaching plan check approval in a single review cycle. Following approval, the Authority Having Jurisdiction identified an additional Building Division step tied to Certificate of Occupancy (CO) requirements before permit issuance.

Because the client wanted to evaluate cost and scope implications before proceeding with the CO path, the project temporarily paused while requirements were clarified directly with the Building Department. Managing this sequencing carefully was critical to avoiding unnecessary rework once the mechanical permit was ready to be released.

Solutions and Strategies

Permit Place maintained proactive communication with both the client and the Community Development Department – Building & Safety Division, ensuring that once the CO issue was resolved, the mechanical permit could be released without further delay. This project highlighted the importance of a thorough due diligence process and strategic application planning—particularly in confirming all departmental touchpoints (Mechanical and Building) upfront for TI work in shopping center environments.

Project Wins

• Despite the midstream Building Division requirement, the mechanical review remained efficient, with a clean, one-round plan check approval.
• Proactive measures are now being applied across the broader Lennox program, reducing the risk of surprise requirements and helping national clients like Lennox NAS keep HVAC replacement timelines predictable across multiple locations.