|
Q:
How do I schedule an inspection?
|
|
A:
You can request an
inspection by calling the Building and Safety Division’s Automated Inspection
line (818) 224-1738. Before you call, be sure to have the following information
available:
-
The Permit Number (this number
is printed on your permit in the upper right-hand corner).
-
The date you would like to
have the inspection performed (example: 02/20...there is no need for the year).
Inspection requests received
before 7:00 am can be scheduled for an inspection on the same day. If you need
to coordinate a special inspection time with the Building Inspector, then give
them a call between 7:30 am and 9:00 am the morning of the inspection date to
arrange an approximate inspection time. The Building Inspectors will do their
best to accommodate your needs, but keep in mind that they will be inspecting
between 10 to 15 different projects on any given day and may not always be able
to be in your area during the time you request.
|
Q:
What paperwork am I required to leave on the job site for
the Inspector? |
|
A:
The Building Inspector will
need to have your Permit Inspection Card as well as the Approved Plans on the
job site in order to perform the inspection. The Approved Plans are the plans
that the City’s Building and Safety Division stamped "APPROVED". |
|
Q:
Does someone need to be at the job site for the inspection? |
|
A:
On small residential projects,
such as patio, decks, pools and re-roofs, where the work can be inspected
without entering the occupied portion of the house or garage, the inspections
can be performed without the owner or contractor present. Be sure to allow
access to the area to be inspected and make sure that dogs or other animals are
secured. If a ladder is required to access the area where the work was
performed, have one available for the Inspector to use. Also be sure to leave
the Permit Inspection Card and the Approved Plans on the site for the Inspector.
On larger projects or projects
where the Building Inspector will need to inspect inside the occupied home, an
adult will need to be present during the inspection. If a contractor is in
charge of the work, we recommend that they be present during the inspection in
order to consult with the Inspector if any problems are identified. |
|
Q:
How can I find out if an inspection was approved? |
|
A:
There are a few different ways
that you can find out if the Building Inspector approved an inspection. One way
is to visit the job site and look at the Permit Inspection Card. If the
inspection was approved, then the Inspector will sign their initials and date
that specific inspection entry on the card. If corrections are required, the
Inspector will typically write a Correction Notice and leave it with the Permit
Inspection Card.
Another way to check the status of an inspection is to call the
Inspector during their morning or evening office hours (7:30 – 9:00 am and 4:00
- 5:30 pm). The best way is to be present during the inspection, that way you
can ask the Inspector specific questions about any problems that are identified. |
|
Q:
What does the Inspector need to inspect? |
|
A:
Generally, the
building inspector will need to inspect all aspects of the work before it is
covered or concealed from view. These inspections are done to assure that the
work has been done to a minimum safety standard and that it complies with the
Approved plans for the project. The following is a list of the typical
inspections that may be required on a project:
|
 |
Foundation |
|
Framing |
|
|
Slab |
|
Insulation |
|
|
Grout Lift |
|
Drywall |
|
|
Roof Sheathing |
|
Fireplace |
|
|
Lath |
|
Scratch Coat |
|
|
T-bar ceiling grid |
|
Underground plumbing and electrical |
|
|
Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical (rough and final) |
|
|
And
many others, depending on the type of work being done. |
|
|
Q:
What is a Special Inspector? |
|
A:
In addition to the inspections
provided by the regular City Building Inspectors, the Uniform Building Code
mandates that the owner or the engineer or architect acting on behalf of the
owner employ one or more special inspectors who shall provide inspections during
construction on certain types of critical structural elements. It is critically
important to note that these Special Inspectors are not on the project in lieu
of the regular City Building Inspector, but rather they are on the project in
addition to the regular City Building Inspector. |
