Building Inspections
Construction work or work that requires a permit is subject to inspection. It is important to call for an inspection once each phase of the work requiring an inspection is completed. The work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until it has been approved. Photographs and videos are not accepted for inspection purposes. Approved building plans must remain at the site and made available to the inspector along with the permit card. For additional information regarding your type of inspection, please click into the category titled “Inspection Types.”

How do I request an inspection?

Inspection Requests
Before you can request an inspection, you must first obtain the permits for the work you intend to do. You may schedule an inspection on our Online Permit Portal (https://aca.accela.com/lancaster). Scheduled inspection time ranges and assigned inspector can be viewed on the Online Permit Portal. You may text your assigned inspector the morning of a scheduled inspection to determine their approximate arrival time. Please note: Inspectors will NOT answer their phones during inspection hours. 

Building and Safety Inspectors: 

Inspection Record Card
An Inspection Record Card must be posted or made available to allow the inspector to make the required entries relative to inspection of the work. This card shall remain posted or made available until final approval has been granted.

Online Portal User Training Guide
For help on how to use our Online Permit Portal, please review the Accela User Training Guide.

What types of inspections are provided? 

Inspection Types

• Building
• Swimming Pools
• Combination
• Combination Final
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Swimming

Building

• Demolition (Swimming Pools – two 12” x 12” holes must be punched into the bottom of the pool) (Septic Tanks -- tank must be pumped and filled with sand and the bottom of tank broken so water will not stand)

Block Wall Footing    

• Block Wall Grout
• Concrete Tilt-up Panel
• Foundation/Footings (includes Locations/Yard/Setback) (This inspection is to be made after excavations for footings are complete and all required reinforcing steel is in place. A soils report is needed if the developed area exceeds 600 square feet or it is an engineered requirement.)
• Patio Footings (Patio hardware placed into the piers must be on the site and visible to the inspector during inspection.)
• Patio Enclosure Tract
• Slab (You cannot place wire mesh or rebar on top of the fill sand and lift up while pouring the concrete. All mesh and steel in the slab must be placed above the earth prior to pour and inspected.)
• Roof Sheathing (Homeowner or contractor must provide a ladder for the inspector to perform his inspection. All drag nailing and special nailing patterns must be panted and delineated. A maximum of one overlay of roofing is allowed on residential.)
• Pre-roof (A visual inspection by the inspector must be performed prior to commencement of new roof installation. Homeowner or contractor must provide a ladder for the inspector to perform his inspection.)
• Pre-wrap (A pre-lim inspection is required, and all insulation that would be hidden after exterior or interior lath is installed must be in place and inspected and approval obtained before work may commence. During this inspection, the inspector will inspect all exterior shear nailing, window and door installation, exterior hardware installation, and flashing, along with all items that may be hidden at a later inspection.)
• Framing (This inspection is to be made after all roof, framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and all pipes, chimneys, and vents are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, and heating wires, pipes, and ducts are approved. We request that the superintendent, contractor, or owner walk the job prior to the request to ensure the job is ready for inspection. Plans, engineering, and truss calcs must be available for the inspector’s use.)
• Insulation (A moisture barrier is required. Lancaster is located in Zone 14, which has an energy requirement to have a moisture barrier on all exterior vertical walls and ceilings below attics.)
• Exterior Lath/Drywall Nailing (All punctures and holes on the exterior must be caulked and filed prior to inspection. An occupancy separation is required between a house and a garage where 5/8 type gypsum board is applied.)
• Patio Cover/Enclosed Patio
• T-Bar (During this inspection, the inspector inspects seismic struts, wire size and placement, electrical and mechanical application and installation, among others)
• Electrical (GFI plugs are required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and exterior plugs. Arc fault breakers are required to be installed kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas or similar rooms.)
• Plumbing (Cellular Core PVC and Pex pipe is allowed. Lawn sprinkler systems require inspection of the valve only. The gas test is performed after drywall and cabinets are installed.)
• Final (Certificate of Occupancy forms must be signed along with all CF3R forms and given to the inspector. A hot check on the electrical is also required.)
• Investigation Inspection

Swimming Pools
Fence heights are a minimum of 60 inches measured on the neighbor’s side. The gates are required to swing away from the poolside. The door or gate latch must be set at a minimum height of 54 above finished floor.”

Combination
Framing
Rough Electrical
Rough Mechanical
Rough Plumbing
Rough Gas Piping

Combination Final
Final Plumbing
Final Electrical
Final Mechanical
Final Building

Mechanical
Rough Mechanical
Mechanical Ducts
Gas Vents
Gas Vent Connections
Final Mechanical

Electrical (GFI plugs are most commonly used)
Temporary Power Pole
Under Slab Electrical
Ufer Ground
Rough Electrical Wiring
Final Electrical/Safe Electric

Plumbing
Sewer Cap
Underground/Under Slab
Private Disposal System
Sewer Connection
Rough Plumbing
Rough Gas Piping
Main Water Service
Shower Pan
Lawn Sprinkler System – valve only
Gas Test (10 lbs for 15 minutes minimum)
Final

Swimming
Gas Test
Pre-Gunite
Pre-Deck
Pre-Final (includes fence and gate)
Final

SPECIAL INSPECTIONS

Overtime Inspections
Overtime inspections are available and are based upon inspector availability. These inspections must be prepaid and coordinated with your inspector.

Reinspections
A reinspection fee may be assessed when work is not complete or when corrections called for have not been made. A reinspection fee may also be assessed when the inspection record card is not posted or available at the site, the plans are not made available to the inspector, access is not provided, or deviating from plans that require approval from the Chief Building Official.

Your project may require special inspections during the course of construction. These inspections must be performed by special inspectors that are employed by the owner, the architect, or engineer. The most common types of special inspections are:

• Concrete
• Reinforced Concrete
• Structural Steel/Welding
• Structural Masonry
• Fire Proofing (spray applied)

All special inspectors performing inspections in the City of Lancaster are required to register. The guidelines for registration are listed below.

Registration and Qualification
All special inspectors shall be registered and approved by the Chief Building Official prior to performing any work in the City of Lancaster. Special inspectors are required to possess individual certification by a recognized issuing authority for the type of work to be inspected. In addition to providing identification and certification, evidence of satisfactory experience, written references, or other qualifications may be required. Employment by an approved inspection firm and/or testing lab is not sufficient to qualify an individual as a special inspector. An Acknowledgement Form must be completed and turned into the Building and Safety Division for approval.

Notification
Special inspectors shall notify the Building and Safety Division in person or by telephone prior to starting inspection work. Notification is required before 8:30 a.m. and should be directed to the inspector to whom the project has been assigned. The following information is required:

• Name of the special inspector
• Project name and address
• Building permit number
• Description and type of work to be inspected

Performance
Special inspectors are responsible to the City of Lancaster Building and Safety Division for assuring conformance to the approved plans, specifications and the current California Building Code. Special inspectors shall consult with the City building inspector assigned to the project for clarification of any questions regarding the approved plans and specifications, building code requirements, or inspection responsibilities of the special inspector. All special inspection work shall be performed pursuant to the provisions of the California Building Code, Section 1701 as outlined in the approved plans and specifications. The special inspector shall be present on the job site at all times that work requiring continuous inspection is in progress, and periodic inspection shall be performed as required by the design authority and the building official.

Reporting
Special inspectors shall submit written daily field reports to the person(s) responsible for the construction of the project, and reports shall be maintained at the job site available for review by the Building and Safety inspector. All reports shall include a detailed description of the work inspected with specific locations on site or in the building/structure including any sampling and testing of materials or workmanship performed. Reports shall indicate that the work inspected complies with the approved plans, specifications, and the provisions of all applicable codes. All non-conforming work shall be reported in detail and, if not resolved, notify the Building and Safety inspector. All changes in construction authorized by the architect/engineer shall be approved by Building and Safety and shall be identified in the report. Reports are to be submitted on form(s) approved by the building official.

Acknowledgement Form

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