Inspections

The inspection function is one of the more important aspects of the Building Division operations along with the plan review function. The code intends that all construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Division.

Inspections are done to ensure that the work covered by the permit is done according to the plans and is in compliance with all the model codes and ordinances adopted by various County agencies, i.e., Zoning/Planning, Fire Prevention, and Flood Control.

It shall be the responsibility of the owner or the licensed contractor doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the Building Official when said work is ready for inspection. No portion of any building, structure, wiring, plumbing, ductwork, or equipment that is required to be inspected shall be covered or concealed without approval of the Building Official.

What is normally inspected?

Type of Inspections Required:

Foundation/footing

Location of the forms to meet zoning setback requirements, elevation of the forms to meet flood control requirements, depth and width of the footing, and proper placement, size, and grade of reinforcing steel. All required shear-wall anchor bolts, hold-down bolts, and straps are expected to be hung on templates. The UFER ground is checked for proper installation and location.

Slab

Thickness of the slab, placement of sand and vapor barrier, size, spacing, and support of reinforcing bar. Ventura County does not allow welded wire fabric for slab reinforcement.

Floor framing

Size, spacing, grade, span, lap, and support of floor joists and girders. Rough plumbing, mechanical, and electrical. underfloor ventilation and access.

Roof sheathing/framing

Size, spacing, grade, and span of rafters and purlins. Framing hardware, i.e., hangers, straps, etc. Structural supports, i.e., posts, beams, headers. Sheathing thickness and panel index, shear diaphragm, shear transfer. Plumbing and mechanical vents through the roof.

Prewrap

Location, panel index, size, and nailing of shear walls. HD hardware, shear wall anchor bolts, plate washers. Location and size of doors and windows. All windows must be installed to check for emergency egress, glazing, and flashing.

Framing

All structural, rough plumbing, rough mechanical, and rough electrical installations are checked at framing. Structural – Size, spacing, and grade of studs, size spacing, grade, span, and support of joists, cutting notching, and boring of studs and joists. Fire blocking. Stairs – width, rise, and run. Post and beam connections, framing hardware, interior shear.

Rough plumbing

Vents overflowed for leak test. Proper location of all fixture stub outs as shown on floor plan. Drain and vent sizing, wet venting, slope, and support of drain lines. Approved joints and fittings. Location and size of cleanouts. Protection from physical damage for nonmetallic piping. Water piping: static pressure on lines. Proper material, size, support, and protection. Gas piping – proper material, location, size, and support.

Rough mechanical

Proper material, size, location, support, and insulation of all ductwork. FAU compartment: supply air (plenum), return air, combustion air, and condensate drain line(s). Fire and draft stopping. Combustion vents: location, clearances, and offsets.

Rough electrical

General wiring to convenience outlets and lights. Grounding and bonding: metal boxes, cold water piping, grounding electrode conductor, neutral and grounding busses. Wiring/conduit locations, support, and protection. GFCI and smoke detector circuits, laundry, and kitchen circuits. Clearances at sub-panels and service entrance equipment. Rated boxes in fire separations.

Insulation

Check for compliance with Title 24 requirements.

Exterior Lath/drywall and Interior Lath

Horizontal and vertical laps, weep screed, corner aid, flashing, and fasteners. Double paper over wooden walls. Type X drywall at fire separations and drywall attachment.

Final Gas Test

Gas piping to be tested under air pressure after all piping authorized by the permit is Installed and covered or concealed but before any fixtures, appliance, or shutoff valve has been attached.

Final Inspection

• Installation and operation of all plumbing fixtures.
• Water heater seismic restraints, pressure relief valve, and piping
• All gas-burning appliances connected to gas supply
• All mechanical equipment in and operational
• All electrical switches, plugs, and lights installed
• Breakers identified
• Clearances around panels
• GFCI breakers or outlets. Smoke alarms
• Handrails and guard rails
• Firewall integrity, self-closing solid core door
• Compliance with Title 24 energy and handicap as required
• Grading for drainage around structure

Special Inspections

The Building Department does not have the staff of inspectors to provide detailed inspections on large and complicated projects. This is true where the nature of the construction is such that extra care in quality control must be exercised in order to assure compliance with the code. The code specifies that the special inspector be employed by the owner.

Special inspection is required when:

• concrete strength is over 2,500 psi
• concrete stem wall
• shotcrete
• post-tensioning system
• structural masonry
• field welding/high-strength bolting
• piling/caissons
• special cases (when ordered by Building Official)

Structural Observation

Due to the critical nature of construction in our jurisdiction, which is Seismically active, this division requires that the engineer or architect of record be employed by the owner to provide observational visits to the site to obtain compliance with the structural drawings for certain projects.

For more information, refer to policy memo on Structural Observation

Inspection Requests

Click here for a Daily Inspection Schedule

B&S announces its new Text Messaging solution for scheduling inspections for active construction projects. It allows contractors and other permittees to schedule inspections with the convenience of text messaging on a cell phone. To learn how to schedule your next inspection with text messaging, see our new Inspection Scheduling Instructions in English or Spanish.

Inspection requests can be made 24 hours a day by calling the Ventura office voice mail at (805) 654-2791 or the Simi office voice mail at (805) 582-8063. Inspection requests received during business days, prior to 4:00pm, will be conducted the next business day. Inspection requests received during non-business days, or during business days after 4:00 p.m., will be scheduled the second business day following the date of the request.

Inspection Hours

Inspections are conducted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Arrangements can be made for inspections outside normal working hours by making personal contact with the office that handles the inspections in your area at least three working days prior to the inspection.