91.108.1. General. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.) All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by authorized employees of the Department, and certain types of construction shall have continuous inspection by Registered Deputy Inspectors as specified in Section 91.1704 of this Code. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy as specified in Section 91.109, a final inspection shall be made by the Department of all construction or work for which a permit has been issued.
EXCEPTIONS:
A. A licensed contractor; or
B. The owner of the property who either did the work or used employees of the owner to do the work pursuant to California Business and Professions Code Section 7044.
2. When a permit is obtained for any work performed by certified licensed contractors complying with the requirements of Section 91.108.12.
91.108.2. Inspection Record Card. With each permit issued, the department shall furnish a card to the applicant showing the location and nature of the work to be done and the number of the permit.
The permit card shall be posted in a place designated by the Superintendent of Building.
91.108.3. Inspection Requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the Superintendent of Building that such work is ready for inspection. The Superintendent of Building may require that every request for inspection be filed at least one working day before such inspection is desired. Such request may be in writing or by telephone at the option of the Superintendent of Building.
It shall be the duty of the person requesting any inspections required by this Code to provide access to and means for inspection of such work.
91.108.4. Approval Required. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the Superintendent of Building. The Superintendent, upon notification, shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate 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 Code. Any portions which do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the Superintendent.
There shall be a final inspection and approval of all buildings and structures when completed and ready for occupancy and use.
1. Foundations. When the excavation for footings is complete and footing forms and required reinforcing steel are in place, but before any concrete is placed.
2. Wood framing, ventilation equipment installation. When all roof, walls and floor framing, fire stopping and bracing are complete and all pipes, chimneys, vents and ductwork are in place, but before any of this work is covered.
3. Wall covering. When the backing and lath or drywall are in place ready for plaster, stucco or taping.
4. Reinforced concrete. When forms and reinforcing steel are in place ready for concrete.
5. Reinforced masonry. In grouted masonry when vertical reinforcing steel is in place and other reinforcing steel distributed and ready for placing, but before any units are laid up.
6. Structural steel. When structural steel members are in place and required connections are complete, but before concealing any members or connection.
7. Final. When the construction or work is completed and the structure ready for occupancy, but before being occupied.
The permittee or the permittee’s agent shall notify the department on the day prior to the day on which inspection is desired.
The department shall approve that portion of the work inspected or notify the responsible person if the work fails to comply with the law. Any portions which do not comply with the law shall be corrected and no portion shall be covered or concealed with additional work until approved.
When any of the above required inspections have been made and that portion of the work approved, the inspector shall so record on the permit card posted on the job.
91.108.6. Other Inspections. In addition to the called inspections specified above, the department may make any other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this Code and other laws which the department enforces.
91.108.6.1. Weather Exposed Balcony and Walking Surface Waterproofing. (Added by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) Where balcony 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.
91.108.7. Reinspections. Fees for additional inspections shall be assessed in accordance with Section 98.0412 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code.
91.108.8. Surveys. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) In the absence of any designation of the proper location of the lot or the building to be erected on the lot, for which building a permit has been issued or for which an application for a building permit has been filed, or as requested in a written notice from the Department, the Department may require the owner to have the lot surveyed and staked by a registered civil engineer, licensed prior to January 1, 1982, or a registered land surveyor, so that the proper location of the lot or the building on the lot may be determined or the location of the required features in the Department’s written notice may be determined.
1. Initial meeting/inspection. When the permittee is ready to begin work, but before any grading operation or brushing is started, a meeting shall be held at the project site with the contractor and the inspectors to discuss the approved plans, soil reports and the sequence of the grading operations.
2. Toe inspection. After the natural ground is exposed and prepared to receive fill, but before any fill is placed.
3. Excavation inspection. After the excavation is started, but before the vertical depth of the excavation exceeds 10 feet.
4. Fill inspection. After the fill emplacement is started, but before the vertical height of the lifts exceeds 10 feet.
5. Drainage device inspection. After forms and pipe are in place, but before any concrete is placed.
6. Rough grading. When all rough grading has been completed. This inspection may be called for at the completion of the rough grading without the necessity of the Department having previously reviewed and approved the reports.
7. Final. When all work, including installation of all drainage structures and other protective devices, has been completed and the as-graded plan and required reports have been submitted.
The Department shall approve the work inspected or notify the permittee or owner wherein the work fails to comply with the law. Any portion of the work which does not comply with the law shall be corrected.
91.108.10. Revised Grading Plan. If the inspector finds that the soil or other conditions are not as stated in the application for a grading permit, the inspector may refuse to approve further work until a revised grading plan is obtained which conforms to the existing conditions.
91.108.11. Approved Fabricators. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) The inspections provided for in this section shall not be required for construction or installation work done on the premises of a Type II fabricator to whom an approval has been issued pursuant to the provisions of Division C, Article 6, Chapter IX of the LAMC.
91.108.12.1. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,613, Eff. 6/24/20.) In lieu of the inspections made by employees of the Department, as specified in LAMC Section 91.108, a certified licensed contractor, employed by the owner, upon notification to the Department prior to the commencement of work, may install, inspect, and certify any of the following as being performed in compliance with the provisions of the LAMC for a detached single-family dwelling:
1. The replacement of defective water heaters with one of equivalent gallonage, Btu rating, and vent capacity when the vent does not require relocation or replacement.
2. The replacement of defective forced-air units with one of equivalent size, Btu rating, and vent capacity when the vent does not require relocation or replacement.
3. The replacement of defective air- conditioning units with one of equivalent size and Btu rating.
4. The replacement of plumbing fixtures and solar panels with equal kind and quality.
5. The replacement of defective domestic water piping within a dwelling with piping of equivalent size and quality when the installation does not exceed 50 feet in length.
6. The replacement of defective metallic water service piping with piping of equivalent size, quality, and conductivity.
7. The removal of existing roofing and the replacement of roofing materials that are in compliance with CBC Section 1510 and that do not require any alteration to the roof support system.
8. The replacement of defective smoke detectors.
9. The replacement of shower pans with the same size and capacity.
10. The installation or replacement of masonry and concrete fences not exceeding 6 feet in height.
11. The installation or replacement of seismic gas shut-off valves for low-pressure systems.
91.108.12.1.1. (Added by Ord. No. 186,613, Eff. 6/24/20.) In lieu of the inspections made by employees of the Department, as specified in LAMC Section 91.108, a certified licensed contractor, employed by the owner, upon notification to the Department prior to the commencement of work, may install, inspect, and certify any of the following as being performed in compliance with the provisions of the LAMC for multi-family dwelling units:
1. The replacement of lavatories, sinks, clothes washers, vacuum breakers, water closets, dishwashers, and garbage disposals with equal kind and quality.
2. The installation or replacement of seismic gas shut-off valves for low-pressure systems.
91.108.12.2. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) The employment of a certified licensed contractor by the owner on any work shall not prohibit the Department from performing inspections of any work described in LAMC Subdivision 91.108.12.1. The Superintendent of Building may delegate the inspections required by LAMC Subsection 91.108.5 to a certified licensed contractor.
1. The certified licensed contractor has a valid Certificate of Registration obtained in accordance with LAMC Subsection 91.1704.1. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.)
2. The certified licensed contractor has filed with the Department a Certificate of Compliance for each installation.
The Certificate of Compliance shall be on a form provided by the Department and shall be signed by the property owner and the certified licensed contractor. The Department may require that the certified licensed contractor affix a certification label obtained from the Department on certain types of installations to identify the work certified;
The Certificate of Compliance shall describe the work performed and state that the certified licensed contractor warrants, from personal knowledge, that the materials installed and the work performed are in compliance with approved manufacturer’s instructions, specifications and applicable requirements of the LAMC.
For the work described in Items 1, 2 and 3 of LAMC Subdivision 91.108.12.1, the phrase “personal knowledge” as used in the Certificate of Compliance means that the certified licensed contractor has actual personal knowledge of the facts certified to, or knowledge acquired from an employee of the certified licensed contractor, which employee provided continuous observation of the work or installation at the site in all stages of its progress.
For work set forth in Items 4, 5 and 6 of LAMC Subdivision 91.108.12.1, the phrase “personal knowledge” means the certified licensed contractor has actual personal knowledge or knowledge acquired from another certified licensed contractor or a qualified installer.
3. The Certificate of Compliance processing fee has been paid in accordance with Section 98.0417 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code.
4. The certified licensed contractor has filed the application for a Certificate of Compliance with the Department within 15 days after completion of the installation.
The certified licensed contractor has submitted a report to the Department describing the work the certified licensed contractor performed and declaring that the work complies with all applicable provisions of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. The report shall be made on forms supplied by the Department and shall be filed in the records of the Department.
91.108.12.3.1. (Deleted by Ord. No. 172,592, Eff. 6/28/99, Oper. 7/1/99.)
91.108.12.3.2. (Deleted by Ord. No. 172,592, Eff. 6/28/99, Oper. 7/1/99.)
91.108.12.3.3. (Deleted by Ord. No. 172,592, Eff. 6/28/99, Oper. 7/1/99.)
91.108.12.3.4. (Deleted by Ord. No. 172,592, Eff. 6/28/99, Oper. 7/1/99.)
91.108.12.4. The certified licensed contractor shall notify the Department of the certified licensed contractor’s commencement of work for which the certified licensed contractor has been engaged. This notification shall be made no later than the last business day preceding the commencement of work.
The certified licensed contractor shall inspect all materials to be used or concealed within such work.
While engaged in the work, the certified licensed contractor shall not undertake or engage in any other task or occupation which will interfere with the proper performance of the certified licensed contractor’s duties of inspection. The certified licensed contractor shall report all violations of this Code which have occurred relating to the construction work to the Superintendent of Building, and such other information relating to the installation work as requested by the Superintendent.
The Department may refuse to issue a Certificate of Compliance if it finds that the contractor has failed to comply with any of these requirements.
91.108.13. (Added by Ord. No. 171,455, Eff. 1/30/97.) Whenever the Department determines by inspection that construction or grading activities create excessive dust emissions where the dust remains visible in the atmosphere beyond the property line of the emission source or constitutes a nuisance or other hazard, the Department may order that such activity cease or be controlled through watering practices using reclaimed water if available, or by other means, to the satisfaction of the Department. The Department may order the owner of the property to employ a person, subject to Department approval, to monitor the watering practices.