SF Permits MCP Server

{ "metadata": { "title": "Inspections Process — Required Inspections, Reinspection, and Special Inspections", "source": "SF Building Inspection Commission Code (SFBICC), Section 108A", "source_file": "tier4/sf-bicc-fire-codes-full.txt", "source_lines": "32077-32219", "date_structured": "2026-02-16", "authority": "SF Department of Building Inspection", "notes": [ "All construction requiring a permit is subject to inspection", "Work must remain accessible and exposed until approved — covering without approval halts work", "Inspection record card (Job Card) must be posted on site from permit issuance until final inspection", "First reinspection for the same issue has no fee; subsequent reinspections are charged" ] }, "general": { "section": "108A.1", "source_line": 32077, "description": "All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official. All such work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.", "continuous_inspection": "Certain types of construction require continuous inspection by special inspectors as specified in Section 1701.", "approval_disclaimer": "Approval from an inspection shall not be construed as approval of any code violation.", "permit_applicant_duty": "The permit applicant must cause the work to remain accessible and exposed. Neither the Building Official nor the City is liable for expense of removal/replacement to allow inspection.", "lot_survey": "The Building Official may require a lot survey by a registered land surveyor or civil engineer to determine proper building location." }, "inspection_record_card": { "section": "108A.2", "source_line": 32097, "title": "Inspection Record Card (Job Card)", "requirements": [ "Must be posted before any work begins", "Issued at time of permit issuance by the Department", "Must be in a conspicuous, readily accessible location", "Must remain on job site until final inspection of all work is completed", "After final inspection, the card may be removed and retained by the building owner" ] }, "inspection_requests": { "section": "108A.3", "source_line": 32105, "description": "The person doing the work must notify the Building Official when work is ready for inspection.", "advance_notice": "The Building Official may require at least one working day advance notice before inspection.", "request_methods": "Written or by telephone at the option of the Building Official.", "access_duty": "The person requesting inspection must provide access to and means for inspection." }, "off_hours_inspections": { "section": "108A.3.1", "source_line": 32113, "normal_hours": "7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays", "availability": "Off-hours inspections available by prior arrangement and prepayment", "fee_table": "Table 1A-G — Inspections, Surveys and Reports" }, "permits_by_other_departments": { "section": "108A.3.2", "source_line": 32119, "description": "When other City departments require DBI inspection, certification, or report as a condition of their permits, the applicant applies to DBI and pays the fee.", "fee_table": "Table 1A-G — Inspections, Surveys and Reports" }, "approval_required": { "section": "108A.4", "source_line": 32126, "rule": "No work shall proceed beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining approval. Non-compliant portions must be corrected and shall not be covered or concealed until approved." }, "required_inspections": { "section": "108A.5", "source_line": 32134, "description": "The following inspections are required at each successive step of construction:", "inspections": [ { "id": "108A.5.1", "name": "General / Structural Framework", "description": "Structural framework shall not be covered or concealed without Building Official approval. Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistive assemblies shall not be concealed until inspected and approved." }, { "id": "108A.5.2", "name": "Foundation Inspection", "timing": "After excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place", "requirements": [ "Concrete forms must be in place before inspection", "All foundation materials on site (except ready-mixed concrete per approved standards)", "Additional inspections may be required for approved treated wood foundations" ] }, { "id": "108A.5.3", "name": "Concrete Slab or Under-Floor Inspection", "timing": "After all in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel, building service equipment, conduit, piping, accessories, and other ancillary equipment are installed", "before": "Before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including subfloor" }, { "id": "108A.5.4", "name": "Reinforcing Steel Inspection", "timing": "When reinforcing steel is in place in walls, floors, roof framing, and other concrete members", "before": "Before any concrete is poured or placed", "requirement": "All reinforcing steel shall be visible for inspection" }, { "id": "108A.5.5", "name": "Structural Steel Inspection", "timing": "When structural steel framework or any structural steel member is in place", "before": "Before being covered or concealed in any manner" }, { "id": "108A.5.6", "name": "Frame Inspection", "timing": "After roof/deck/sheathing, all framing, fire blocking, and bracing are in place", "also_requires": "All conduits, plumbing pipes, chimneys, vents to be concealed are complete; rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires/conduits/pipes/ducts are approved" }, { "id": "108A.5.7", "name": "Lath or Gypsum Board Inspection", "timing": "After all lathing and gypsum board (interior and exterior) are in place", "before": "Before plastering or before gypsum board joints and fasteners are taped and finished" }, { "id": "108A.5.8", "name": "Fire-Rated Suspended Ceilings", "timing": "After installation of hangers, lighting fixtures, air diffusers, protective fixture boxes, and main suspended ceiling members", "before": "Before ceiling is installed" }, { "id": "108A.5.9", "name": "Final Inspection", "timing": "When construction work is completed and the structure is ready for occupancy, but before it is occupied", "requires": "Plumbing, electrical, special inspection, and any other applicable approvals must be obtained first", "see_also": "Section 109A for certificate of occupancy requirements", "note": "An exclusive electrical or plumbing final approval shall not be given unless the Building Official ascertains no building permit is required" } ] }, "special_inspections": { "section": "108A.6", "source_line": 32183, "reference": "See Chapter 17 for special inspection requirements" }, "other_inspections": { "section": "108A.7", "source_line": 32185, "description": "The Building Official may make or require other inspections beyond the called inspections to ascertain compliance." }, "concealed_work": { "section": "108A.7.1", "source_line": 32189, "description": "When work requiring called inspections is covered without inspection, or work is performed and concealed without a permit, or when it is necessary to determine if building or parts are unsafe, the Building Official may require the work to be exposed.", "cost_responsibility": "All costs of exposing, recovering, or reconstructing shall be at the expense of the owner, not the City." }, "reinspection": { "section": "108A.8", "source_line": 32199, "title": "Reinspection Fees", "triggering_conditions": [ "Work called for inspection is not complete", "Corrections called for are not made", "Inspection record Job Card is not properly posted", "Approved plans are not readily available to the inspector", "Failure to provide access on the date requested", "Deviating from plans requiring Building Official approval" ], "fee_rule": "The first reinspection for the same issue is NOT charged a fee. All subsequent reinspections for the same or subsequent errors are charged.", "hold_rule": "After reinspection fee is assessed, no required or requested inspections shall be made nor shall a Certificate of Final Completion and Occupancy be issued until fees are paid at Central Permit Bureau.", "fee_table": "Table 1A-G — Inspections, Surveys and Reports" } }