Inspection Standards

INSPECTION SCHEDULE
Inspection staff generally provides inspection services between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm each working day. Inspections outside of these hours may be arranged through the Building Official.

INSPECTION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Division utilizes an automated inspection request telephone line. This dedicated line is available 24- hours per day, 7 days per week. Inspections which are requested prior to 8:00 am are normally conducted on the date requested; inspection requests received after 8:00 am will normally be accomplished the following day unless a later date is requested. Inspection requests that are received after 8:00 am but which are needed on the same day requested, because of unforseen issues, may be accomplished on an inspector availability basis as requested. The Division also accepts faxed inspection requests with the same procedure as stated above.

Customers submitting inspection requests by mail or in person are requested to utilize the inspection request line in the future.
Approved plans are required to be available on the job site unless other arrangements have been made with the inspector.
A written report or computer entry is performed by the inspector for each inspection. The report will reflect approval, conditional approval, or failure. A conditional approval allows the work to proceed while documented corrections are made and a reinspection requested. In the case of a failed inspection, a list of needed corrections is provided in the report. A copy of the written report is left on the job site and entered into the Division’s computer system.
In certain circumstances a reinspection fee is assessed by the inspector. A Division policy outlines these circumstances.

Reinspection Policy: It is the duty of the permit holder or authorized agent to request all inspections that may be necessary or otherwise required. The permit holder/authorized agent must make the requests in a timely manner, provide access to the site, and provide all equipment as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the Building Official. The permit holder shall not call for reinspections, when required, until corrections have been completed. The permit holder shall not proceed with construction activity until authorized to do so by the Building Official. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. A reinspection fee, at least equal to the minimum investigation fee (Attachment 2), may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection required when such portion of work for which requested inspection is not complete or when corrections called for are not made.

STOP WORK ORDERS
Section 18.04.010 of the City of Albany Development Code states as follows:
Whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions of this code (or other pertinent laws or ordinances implemented through its enforcement), the Building Official may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any person(s) engaged in the doing or causing of such work to be done. Such person(s) shall stop such work until specifically authorized by the Building Official to proceed thereafter.

The authority to issue stop work orders is delegated to the inspection staff; however, Division policy requires that the inspector contact the Building Official to discuss the decision prior to issuance of the stop work order.

INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING VIOLATIONS
Electrical and plumbing inspectors conduct random spot checks to verify compliance with plumbing and electrical licensing and registration requirements. In cases of a violation, the inspector is provided the discretion to stop the work and (a) issue a warning, (b) issue a notice of proposed assessment of civil penalty, or (c) discuss alternative options, such as citation into (Municipal or District) Court, with the Building Official.

Complaints received by the Division related to alleged violations of plumbing, electrical licensing, or registration requirements are investigated by the appropriate inspector.

Inspection Standards

Building Division: