Modesto Municipal Code Art. 8 Inspections

Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and such construction or work shall remain visible and able to be accessed for inspection purposes until approved. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this Code or of any local, state, or federal law. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this Code or of other local, state, or federal law shall not be valid. It shall be the duty of the owner or the owner's authorized agent to cause the work to remain visible and able to be accessed for inspection purposes. Neither the Building Official nor the City of Modesto shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Before issuing a permit, the Building Official is authorized to examine or cause to be examined buildings, structures, and sites for which an application has been filed.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

The Building Official, upon notification, shall make the inspections set forth in Sections 9-1.804 through 9-1.813.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

For onsite construction, from time to time the Building Official, upon notification from the permit holder or his agent, shall make or cause to be made any necessary inspections and shall either approve that portion of the construction as completed or shall notify the permit holder or his or her agent wherein the same fails to comply with this Code. The Building Safety Division, upon notification of the permit holder or their agent, shall within a reasonable time make the inspections set forth in Sections 9-1.805 through 9-1.813.

Note: Reinforced steel or structural framework: of any part of any building or structure shall not be covered or concealed without first obtaining the approval of the Building Official.

(Ord. 3541-C.S., § 2, effective 1-13-11)

Editor's note— Ord. 3541-C.S., § 2, effective January 13, 2011, amended Section 9-1.804 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Formerly, Section 9-1.804 pertained to footing and foundation inspection, and derived from Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective January 3, 2008.

Inspection of the foundation and footings shall be made after poles or piers are set or trenches or basement areas are excavated and any required forms erected and any required reinforcing steel is in place and supported prior to the placing of concrete. The foundation or footing inspection shall include excavations for thickened slabs intended for the support of bearing walls, partitions, structural supports, or equipment and special requirements for wood foundations. Materials for the foundation shall be on the job site except where concrete is ready-mixed in accordance with ASTMC94. Under this circumstance concrete is not required to be at the job site.

(Ord. 3541-C.S., § 2, effective 1-13-11)

Editor's note— Ord. 3541-C.S., § 2, effective January 13, 2011, amended Section 9-1.805 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Formerly, Section 9-1.805 pertained to concrete slab and underfloor inspection, and derived from Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective January 3, 2008.

Concrete slab and underfloor inspections shall be made after in-slab or underfloor reinforcing steel and building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories, and other ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the subfloor.

(Ord. 3541-C.S., § 3, effective 1-13-11)

For construction in areas prone to flooding as established by Table R301.2(1) of the California Residential Code upon placement of the lowest floor, including basement, and prior to further vertical construction, the Building Official shall require submission of documentation, prepared and sealed by a registered design professional, of the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement, required in Section R322. In flood hazard areas, upon placement of the lowest floor, including the basement, and prior to further vertical construction, the elevation certification required in Chapter 16 of the California Building Code shall be submitted to the Building Official.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08; Ord. 3541-C.S., § 2, effective 1-13-11; Ord. 3658-C.S., § 1, effective 1-6-17)

Editor's note— Ord. 3541-C.S., § 2, effective January 13, 2011, changed the title of Section 9-1.806 from "Lowest floor elevation" to "Flood plain inspections/lowest floor elevation." The historical notation has been preserved for reference purposes.

Inspection of framing and masonry construction shall be made after the roof, masonry, all framing, firestopping, draftstopping and bracing are in place and after chimneys and vents to be concealed are completed and the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are approved.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08; Ord. 3541-C.S., § 2, effective 1-13-11)

Editor's note— Ord. 3541-C.S., § 2, effective January 13, 2011, changed the title of Section 9-1.807 from "Frame inspection" to "Frame and masonry inspection." The historical notation has been preserved for reference purposes.

Moisture content of framing members shall be verified in accordance with the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen).

(Ord. No. 3592-C.S., § 4, effective 1-3-14; Ord. 3658-C.S., § 1, effective 1-6-17)

Lath and gypsum board inspections shall be made after lathing and gypsum board, interior and exterior, is in place, but before any plastering is applied or gypsum board joints and fasteners are taped and finished.

Exception. Gypsum board that is not part of a fire-resistance-rated assembly or a shear assembly.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Where balconies or other elevated walking surfaces are exposed to water from direct or blowing rain, snow or irrigation, and the structural framing is protected by an impervious moisture barrier, all elements of the impervious moisture barrier system shall not be concealed until inspected and approved.

Exception: Where special inspections are provided in accordance with CBC Section 1705.1.1, Item 3.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective December 26, 2019, amended Section 9-1.809 to read as set out herein. Previous section 9-1.809 pertained to "Fire-Resistant Penetrations" and has been amended and renumbered to Section 9-1.810. The historical notation has been preserved for reference purposes.

Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated assemblies, smoke barriers and smoke partitions shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Previously known as "Fire-Resistant Penetrations."

Inspections shall be made to determine compliance with the California Energy Code and shall include, but not be limited to, inspections for: envelope insulation R and U values, fenestration U value, duct system R value, and HVAC and water-heating equipment efficiency.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019, renumbered previous § 9-1.810, pertaining to "Energy Efficiency Inspections" to read as set out herein.

In addition to the inspections specified above, the Building Official is authorized to make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this Code and other laws that are enforced by the Building Safety Division.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019, renumbered previous § 9-1.811, pertaining to "Other Inspections" to read as set out herein.

For special inspections, see the California Building Code.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. 3658-C.S., § 1, effective 1-6-17; Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019, renumbered previous § 9-1.812, pertaining to "Special Inspections" to read as set out herein.

The final inspection shall be made after all work required by the building permit is completed.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019, renumbered previous § 9-1.813, pertaining to "Final Inspection" to read as set out herein.

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 required corrections have not been made.

This provision is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time an inspection is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this Code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspection before the project is ready for inspection or reinspection. Reinspection fees may be assessed:

(a) When the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector.

(b) For failure to provide access on the date for which the inspection is requested.

(c) For any deviation from plans requiring the approval of the Building Official.

To obtain reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefor in writing upon a form for that purpose and pay the reinspection fee as adopted from time to time by resolution of the City Council of the City of Modesto.

In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019, renumbered previous § 9-1.814, pertaining to "Reinspections" to read as set out herein.

The Building Official is authorized to accept reports of approved inspection agencies, provided such agencies satisfy the requirements as to qualifications and reliability.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019, renumbered previous § 9-1.815, pertaining to "Inspection Agencies" to read as set out herein.

It shall be the duty of the holder of the building permit or their duly authorized agent to notify the Building Official when work is ready for inspection. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to provide access to and means for inspections of such work that are required by this Code.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019, renumbered previous § 9-1.816, pertaining to "Inspection Request" to read as set out herein.

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 the portion of the construction that is satisfactory as completed, or notify the permit holder or his or her agent wherein the same fails to comply with this Code. Any portions that do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the Building Official.

(Ord. 3465-C.S., § 1, effective 1-3-08)

(Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 3707-C.S., § 1, effective 12-26-2019, renumbered previous § 9-1.817, pertaining to "Approval Required" to read as set out herein.