Honestly, I’m surprised how much it still depends on who you get at the counter. Some folks are totally fine with digital, others act like you’re handing them a floppy disk. Have you ever had an inspector insist on marking up a physical set? I’ve had to run out mid-meeting for prints more than once... makes me wonder if there’s any way to predict which cities are actually moving forward with tech and which are stuck in the past.
makes me wonder if there’s any way to predict which cities are actually moving forward with tech and which are stuck in the past.
It’s honestly a toss-up. I’ve found that even within the same city, different departments have totally different attitudes. My workaround has been to always bring a printed set just in case, even if it feels wasteful. It’s not ideal, but it’s saved me from last-minute runs more than once. If you’re budget-conscious like me, maybe print in black and white unless color is specifically required—saves a few bucks every time.
even within the same city, different departments have totally different attitudes.
That’s been my experience too. I’ve had one department insist on digital submissions, while another wanted three paper copies with wet signatures—same building, different floors. Bringing a printed set is just smart, even if it feels old-school. I’d add: check if they need full-size plans or if reduced-size is acceptable. Some places are picky about that, and it can save a lot on printing costs.
