cityofalbany.net

Chapter 18.08
INSPECTIONS

Sections:

18.08.010    Inspections – Generally.

18.08.020    Inspection requests.

18.08.030    Inspections required.

18.08.040    Reinspections.

18.08.050    Inspection record card.

18.08.060    Other inspections.

18.08.070    Special inspections.

18.08.080    Approval required.

18.08.090    Certificate of occupancy.

18.08.100    Proceeding without inspection or approval.

18.08.010 Inspections – Generally.

(1) Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and the construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the Building Official. In addition, certain types of construction shall have special or continuous inspection as specified in the State Building Code.

(2) Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this title or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this title or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.

(3) It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. Neither the Building Official nor this jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection.

(4) A survey of the lot may be required by the Building Official to verify that the structure is located in accordance with the approved plans. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).

18.08.020 Inspection requests.

(1) It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the Building Official that such work is ready for inspection, and to make provision for access during normal business hours. The Building Official may require that every request for inspection be filed at least one working day before such inspection is desired.

(2) It shall be the duty of the person requesting any inspections required by this title to provide safe access to and means for inspection of such work, including any and all required special equipment, tools, ladders, belts, clothes, or other protective equipment or devices.

(3) It shall be the duty of the permit holder or authorized agent to request all inspections that may be necessary, or otherwise required, in a timely manner, to provide access to the site, and to provide all equipment as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Building Official. The permit holder shall not proceed with construction activity until authorized to do so by the Building Official.

(4) Work requiring a permit shall not be commenced until the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder has posted or otherwise made available an inspection record card, if required, such as to allow the Building Official to conveniently make the required entries thereon regarding inspection of the work. This card shall be maintained at the worksite in good order and in clean, legible condition by the permit holder until final approval has been granted by the Building Official. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).

18.08.030 Inspections required.

(1) All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and all such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection and test purposes until approved by the Building Official. No work shall be covered until approved and signed off for that stage of the project or work.

(2) It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes including providing any necessary ladders, walkways, lighting, carpet runners for protection of carpet or other equipment necessary for safe access and inspection. Neither the Building Official, deputies nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal, cleaning or replacement of any equipment or material required to allow inspection.

(3) Inspection and approval by the Building Official is not to be construed as relieving the permit holder of his/her responsibility to correct any deficiencies that are later discovered, even though they may have existed at the time of the original inspection and approval.

(4) Unless waived by the Building Official, a survey of the lot and the placing of, or revealing of, property pins shall be required to verify that the structure is located in accordance with the approved plans. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).

18.08.040 Reinspections.

(1) A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made. This subsection is not to be interpreted as necessarily requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this title, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection.

(2) Reinspection fees may be assessed when the inspection record card is not posted or is otherwise unavailable on the work site, when 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.

(3) In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid, unless authorized by the Building Official. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).

18.08.050 Inspection record card.

It is the responsibility of the permit holder to post or otherwise make available an inspection record card, such as to allow the Building Official to conveniently make the required entries thereon regarding inspection results of the work at the time of the inspection. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to refer to this card for the status of the inspections. This card shall be maintained at the worksite in good order and in clean, legible condition by the permit holder until final approval has been granted by the Building Official. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).

18.08.060 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 title and other laws which are enforced by the City. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).

18.08.070 Special inspections.

Special inspections shall be conducted as required by the State Building Code. In addition, additional inspections may be determined necessary and required by the Building Official. The Building Official shall approve any special inspector prior to any inspections. All special inspections shall be conducted as required by the Building Division’s operational plan and prior to the regular and corresponding city inspection. It shall be the responsibility of the permit holder to ensure that the results of the special inspection are made available to the Building Official and the city inspector at the job site prior to, and at the time of, the city inspection. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).

18.08.080 Approval required.

(1) Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the Building Official. The Building Official, upon notification, shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate that that portion of the construction is satisfactory as completed, or shall notify the permit holder, or an agent of the permit holder, wherein the same fails to comply with this title. Any portions which do not comply shall be corrected and such portion(s) shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the Building Official.

(2) Unless an alternate method of notification is approved by the Building Official, the form of notification shall be a minimum of a written notice left at the job site. Any work that does not comply with this title and/or the technical codes shall be corrected and such work shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the Building Official.

(3) Prior to occupancy, there shall be a final inspection and approval of all buildings and structures when completed and ready for occupancy and use. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).

18.08.090 Certificate of occupancy.

(1) Upon approval for occupancy, the Building Official shall issue a certificate of occupancy.

(2) In Group R-3 (one- and two-family dwelling) and U occupancies, the final approval and sign-off of the permit shall serve as the certificate of occupancy.

(3) The certificate of occupancy for buildings other than single-family dwellings and U occupancies shall be posted in a conspicuous place and shall not be removed except by the Building Official.

(4) In cases where there are outstanding corrections and/or deficiencies that do not present a hazard or immediate public concern, the building official may grant a temporary certificate of occupancy. When granting a temporary certificate of occupancy, the Building Official shall provide the permit holder with conditions and time restrictions for compliance and final approval.

(5) Upon failure to obtain final approval and a certificate of occupancy, when applicable, and/or upon the expiration of the permit, the Building Official, in addition to other remedies, may file a notice of noncompliance with the County Recorder. To remove the notice, proof of compliance must be provided and all enforcement costs, recording costs, and filing costs determined by the Building Official must be paid by the permit holder.

(6) Changes in the character or use of a building shall not be made except as specified in the Building Code.

(7) The Building Official may, in writing, suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy issued under the provisions of this title when the certificate is issued in error, or on the basis of incorrect information, or when it is determined that the building or structure, or portion thereof, is in violation of an ordinance, regulation, or the provisions of this title. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).

18.08.100 Proceeding without inspection or approval.

Work performed without approval shall be required to be exposed for inspection, and any costs due to damage, such as the repair to sheetrock, masonry, concrete, siding, and any investigation or penalties shall be the responsibility of the permittee and/or owner. (Ord. 5647 § 1 (Exh. A), 2006).