Basic Required Inspections

The 2001 California Building Code requires two distinct categories of inspections.  These are standard inspections and special inspections.  During the course of construction of a structure, an applicant for a permit is required to schedule all of the standard inspections shown below.  In addition, certain types of construction shall have continuous inspection, as specified in Section 1701.5.  Please see Special Inspections.

108.5               Required Inspections.   “STANDARD INSPECTIONS”

108.5.1            [For HCD 1]  General.  Reinforcing steel or structural framework of any part of any building or structure shall not be covered or concealed without first obtaining the approval of the building official.

Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistive assemblies shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved.

The enforcing agency, upon notifications, shall make the inspections prescribed by Sections 108.52, 108.5.3, 108.5.4, 108.5.5, 108.5.6 and 108.

108.5.2                        [For HCD 1]  Foundation inspection.  Inspection shall be made after excavations for footings is complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place.  For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection.  All materials for the foundation shall be on the job site; however, where concrete is ready mixed in accordance with approved nationally recognized standards, the concrete need not be on the job site.  Where the foundation is to be constructed of approved treated wood, additional inspections may be required by the building official.

108.5.3                        [For HCD 1]  Concrete slab or under-floor inspection.  Inspection shall be made after all in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are installed, but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the sub-floor.

108.5.4                        [For HCD 1]  Frame inspection.  Inspection shall be made after the roof, roof deck or sheathing, all framing fire blocking and bracing are in place and all conduits, plumbing pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, and heating wires, conduits, plumbing pipes and ducts are approved.

108.5.5                        [For HCD 1]  Lath or gypsum board inspection.  Inspection shall be made after all lathing and gypsum board, interior and exterior, are in place, but before any plastering is applied or before gypsum board joints and fasteners are taped and finished.

108.5.6                        [For HCD 1]  Final inspection.  Inspection shall be made after finish grading and the building is completed and ready for occupancy.

108.6               Special Inspections.  For special inspections, see Chapter 17.

108.7               Other Inspections.  In addition to the called inspections specified above, the building official may make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws which are enforced by the code enforcement agency.

108.8                              Re-inspections.  A re-inspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or re-inspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made.

This section is not to be interpreted as requiring re-inspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or re-inspection.

Re-inspection fees may be assessed when the inspection record card is not posted or otherwise available on the work site, the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official.

To obtain a re-inspection, the applicant shall file an application therefore in writing on a form furnished for that purpose and pat the re-inspection fee in accordance with Table 1-A or as set forth in the fee schedule adopted by the jurisdiction.

In instances where re-inspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.