Building Inspection Processes

Inspection Scheduling

Inspections are scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon (mornings) and noon to 4 p.m. (afternoons) and can be scheduled up to fourteen days in advance. Inspections cannot be scheduled for the same day. Inspections will not be scheduled when the maximum number of inspections has been reached for a requested day.

Inspection requests must be made online. 

If it is your first time using the online scheduling system, you must create an account.

On the Web Portal page, select "Schedule" under the "Inspections" heading. Select “Click Here” to register a new account. When creating an account, be sure to fill in all the required fields. Then, select "Login" to access your account. 

Once logged in, select "Link to Permits" and enter the permit number.

Under "My Active permits," click on the permit number.

On the permit screen, click on "Request Inspection." The contact information will be auto-filled with information from your account. Select the inspection type, the date requested, and your time preference.

Select "Add Inspection", then "Submit," and "Accept" the disclaimer.

 Your inspection is now scheduled.

On the day of your inspection, you can verify you are on the schedule by clicking "Scheduled" under the "inspections" heading.

Required for Most Projects

The following inspections are required for most projects:

  • Foundation Inspection: To be made after excavations for footings are complete and any reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection.
  • Concrete Slab or Under-Floor Inspection: To be made after all in-slab or under-floor building service equipment, conduits, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the subfloor.
  • Under-Floor Insulation: To be made after all under-floor insulation is installed and prior to floor sheathing installed.
  • Frame Inspection: To be made after the roof, all framing, fireblocking and bracing are in place and all pipes, chimneys and vents are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, and heating wires, pipes and ducts are installed. All new homes (and other projects as requested by the inspector) will require structural observation and certification by the structural engineer of record.
  • Frame Insulation: To be made after wall and ceiling insulation is in place and exterior joints around windows and door frames, between wall soleplates and floors, and between exterior wall panels have been caulked or sealed.
  • Stucco Lath Inspection: To be made after all exterior stucco lath is installed but prior to any stucco application. The City of Saratoga does not perform inspections for interior lath for ceramic tile installations.
  • Sheetrock Inspection: To be made after all fire-rated sheetrock has been installed and prior to any joints being taped or finished. The City of Saratoga does not perform inspections for any other sheetrock installations, including moisture resistant applications.
  • Final Inspection: To be made after finish grading and the building is completed and ready for occupancy.

Re-Roofing Projects 

The Building Department performs a minimum of 2 inspections for re-roofing projects:

  • In-Progress Inspections: To be completed after the old roofing material has been removed, the new sheathing has been installed, the roof has been felted and the new roofing material is being installed. A ladder must be provided for rooftop access.
  • Re-Roof Final Inspection: To be completed when the re-roofing is complete. A ladder is not required at this inspection unless specifically requested by the Building Inspector.

Re-Piping of House Water Lines

  • Rough Re-Pipe Inspection: To be completed after new water piping has been installed, all plumbing fixtures have been connected to water supply and lines under working pressure, but prior to installation of any sheetrock.
  • Final Re-Pipe Inspection: To be completed after garage/house fire-rated sheetrock has been installed and all penetrations of exterior stucco walls have been sealed.

Chimney Repairs

  • Rough Chimney Inspection: To be completed after old masonry units have been removed, the vertical reinforcement is in place and the FHA straps have been bolted to existing framing. A ladder of scaffolding must be available for roof top access.
  • Final Chimney Inspection: To be completed after repair is complete and the site is cleaned of all construction debris.

Miscellaneous

Many projects will only require a final inspection by the Building Department. These include jobs such as the following:

  • Water heater replacements
  • Furnace installations and replacements
  • Air conditioning installations
  • Electrical service upgrades
  • Window/Door replacements where no framing is required
  • Roof-mounted solar panels