Special Inspection & Testing Agreement

To permit applicants of projects requiring special inspection and/or testing per Chapter 17 of the California Building Code (CBC).

BEFORE A PERMIT CAN BE ISSUED: The owner, engineer, architect of record or owner’s agent shall complete two (2) copies of this agreement. Including the attached structural tests and inspections schedule and the required acknowledgments. A pre-construction conference with all parties involved is required to review the special inspection requirements and procedures.

APPROVAL OF SPECIAL INSPECTORS: Each special inspector shall be approved by the building division prior to performing any duties. Each special inspector shall submit his/her qualifications to the building division and is subject to a personal interview for pre-qualification. Special inspectors shall display approved identification, as stipulated by the building division, when performing the function of special inspector.

Special inspection and testing shall meet the minimum requirements of C.B.C. Chapter 17, Sections 1704 and 1705.

The following conditions are also applicable:

  1. Duties and Responsibilities of the Special Inspector
    1. Observation of work. The special inspector shall observe the work for conformance with the building departments reviewed (stamped) design drawings and specifications and applicable workmanship provisions of the C.B.C. Architect/Engineer – reviewed shop drawings and/or placing drawing may be used only as an aid to inspection.

      Special inspections are to be performed on a continuous basis, meaning that the special inspector is on site in the general area at all times observing the work required by special inspection. Periodic inspections, if any, must have prior approval by the building division based on a separate written plan reviewed and approved by the building division and the project engineer or architect.

    2. Reporting nonconforming items. The special inspector shall bring nonconforming items to the immediate attention of the contractor and note all such items in the daily report. If any item is not resolved in a timely manor or is about to be incorporated in the work, the special inspector shall immediately notify the building division by telephone or in person, notify the engineer or architect, and post a discrepancy notice

    3. Furnish daily reports. Each special inspector shall complete and sign both the special inspection record and the daily report form for each day's inspections to remain at the jobsite with the contractor for review by the building division's inspector.

    4. Furnish weekly reports. The special inspector or inspection agency shall furnish weekly reports of tests and inspections directly to the building division, project engineer or architect, and others as designated. These reports must include the following:
      • Description of daily inspections and tests made with applicable locations;
      • Listing of all nonconforming items;
      • Reports on how nonconforming items were resolved or unresolved as applicable; and
      • Itemized changes authorized by the architect, engineer, or building division if not included in the nonconforming items.
    1. Furnish final report. The special inspector or inspection agency shall submit a final signed report to the building division stating that all items requiring special inspection and testing were fulfilled and reported and, to the best of his/her knowledge, in conformance with the reviewed design drawings, specifications, approved change orders and the applicable workmanship provisions of the C.B.C. Items not in inspection coverage (i.e. missed inspections, periodic inspections when continuous was required, etc.) shall be specifically itemized in this report.
  1. Contractor Responsibilities

    1. Notify the special inspector. The contractor is responsible for notifying the special inspector or agency regarding individual inspections for items on the attached schedule and as noted on the building division reviewed plan. Adequate notice shall be provided so that the special inspector has time to become familiar with the project.

    2. Provide access to the approved plans. The contractor is responsible for providing the special inspector access to the reviewed plans at the jobsite.

    3. Retain special inspection records. The contractor is also responsible for retaining, at the jobsite, all special inspection records submitted by the special inspector, and providing these records for review by the building division's inspector upon request.

  2. Building Division Responsibilities

    1. Approve special inspection. The building division shall approve all special inspectors and special inspection requirements.

    2. Monitor special inspection. Work requiring special inspection and the performance of special inspectors, shall be monitored by the building division’s inspector. His/her approval must be obtained prior to placement of concrete or other similar activities in addition to that of the special inspector.

    3. Issue Certificate of Occupancy. The building division shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy after all special inspection reports and the final report have been submitted and the building final inspection is accepted.