Schedule an inspection

We will inspect your project as work progresses to make sure everything is safe and meets codes and regulations.

Use these instructions to schedule inspections for:

  • Building permits
  • Encroachment permits
  • Sewer permits

If you need a vegetation inspection for insurance purposes contact the Fire Department at (510) 420-3030.

Need to know

  • You need to have paper copies of your inspection card and approved plans on site at all times.
  • You need to schedule inspections at least 24 hours in advance.
  • The cost of inspections are included in your permit fees. You do not need to pay again for inspections.
  • If you don’t get inspections, your permit could be revoked and you may need to stop your project.
  • Inspections take place:
    • Building permits: Monday through Thursday, between 9am to 2pm
    • Encroachment permits: Monday through Friday, between 8am to 5pm

Go to the eTRAKiT portal

Before you start

Make sure you are ready for your inspection before you schedule it. This means:

  • You’ve completed the scope of work for that inspection type. Partial inspections may be approved for larger project scopes. Contact us if you have questions about this.
  • You have all the required special inspections, survey letters, or Engineer of Record (EOR) reports on site at the time of inspection.
  • There is access to the area of work, such as a secured ladder for a roof inspection.

When you’re scheduling, you will need to provide:

  • Permit number
  • Project address
  • Type of inspection you need

If you need multiple inspections, you will need to schedule each one separately. We will do our best to inspect them at the same time, but we may need to split them up based on availability.

When do you need an inspection?

Steps

1. Login and start your request.

2. Find your project and start your request.

  • Under My Active Permits, select Request for the project you need an inspection for. If you don’t see this option in the Inspections column that probably means your permit is not yet approved.

3. Select the inspection type.

  • Pick the type of inspection you need from the list.

4. Select the date.

  • Select the date you want the inspection.

5. Submit your request.

  • Select Add Inspection. If you need more than 1 inspection, repeat the same process and select Add Inspection again.
  • Select Submit once you are ready to make your request.

What’s next

Every day we will post estimated times for inspections by 9am. You can login to your account the day of your inspection and check the schedule. Select the permit under My Active Inspections on your dashboard. On the inspections tab you will see an estimated time.

Plan for a 1 hour window before and after your estimated time, in case the inspector arrives early or is running late.

At your inspection, you need to have:

  • Set of approved stamped plans
  • Calculations
  • Paper copy of the building permit card

The inspector will check the work that’s been done against the approved plans. If the work is done in conformance with the approved plans, they will approve the inspection. If it’s not, we will issue a correction notice. This will tell you what needs to be fixed or changed.

If your inspection was done virtually over video or you did not have your permit card and you want proof of the sign-off, ask your inspector to email you a copy.

How do I cancel my inspection?

If you need to cancel your inspection, login to your account and navigate to My Active Inspections on your dashboard. Find your permit and select the red circle in the Cancel column.

You can cancel up until 6am the day of your inspection. After 6am cancellations are not allowed.

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