Lighting should be on your plans. Any good lighting contractor (not "designer") will consider it part of the job.

So why does the city want plans? Have you already applied for permits? If so, I'd back off, way way off, and start with talking to contractors, electricians, etc, and finding out what you are clueless about. Sounds like you're proceeding way too fast for your level of knowledge.

Yes, suzyq53...you are correct! :) My initial reaction was that they'd want all the detailed specifics! (Typical of my city.)

Who is designing the house?

As others have posted, plans submitted for permit do include lighting specifications - plugs located. My locale also has very specific requirements - e.g. lights in bathroom must be on a motion sensor system - any fixed lights have to be LED only.

Helen where are you? I’ve never heard of requiring motion sensor in bathrooms- not a bad idea I’m just curious what local you are in. It’s always interesting what each community feels is important.

@Hallett - I am in Los Angeles and luckily my GC and designer were up on all necessary Codes as was the electrician as the inspectors here are quite thorough.

Code requires the motion sensor in bathrooms as well as a bathroom vent/fan that is on autosensor or timer. I had thought I wouldn't like the motion detector in the bathroom but I LOVE it as I don't have to fumble for a light in the middle of the night - and of course I don't have to remember to turn it off. The only part which still sometimes catches me is that I will forget to put on the lights that AREN'T on auto sensor when I take a shower and so they will turn off after a certain amount of time which will leave me showering in the twilight - lights go on as soon as I open the shower door.

The really difficult electrical issue was that most recent Code requires that all lighting fixtures that are attached can take ONLY LED lighting and supplies haven't caught up with the new Code as these were almost impossible to track down and I needed to install them to pass the final electrical inspection.

There are other wrinkles that are necessary because I live in a condo and there are Code requirements that apply only to multifamily homes. For example, theoretically all my doors must have levers instead of knobs. My exterior door must open with one action on the lock so in the event of a fire there wouldn't be anyone too confused to unlock the door.

Ah California, that makes sense ;). I had motion sensor stair lights in our last house so I could walk down the stairs at night without turning on a switch.