Torrance building inspections

Applies to: Building Permit

1. 1

   A 24/7 automated phone system, and it is the published route

   "In an ongoing commitment to improve customer service, the City of Torrance has an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for Scheduling and Canceling Inspections 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!" The line is (310) 618-5901.

2. 2

   Three things before you dial

   "Before Calling, you will need: A touch-tone telephone; A site-specific Record (Permit) Number; A three-digit Inspection Code." The inspection codes are published as a list on the same page. Note the first item - the system is DTMF, so a phone that cannot send tones will not work.

3. 3

   The menu, including two things that are not scheduling

   "Press [1] Schedule an Inspection; Press [2] Cancel an Inspection; Press [3] Obtain Inspection Results; Press [4] To hear Scheduled Inspection time frame; Press [5] Listen to Plan-Check Status; Press [0] Speak with an operator; Press [*] General Information." Options 3 and 5 make the line useful for checking status without scheduling anything.

4. 4

   How the permit number is entered, and the confirmation number

   "Enter the Permit Type: for Building, press [1], or for Electrical, press [2]", then "Enter the seven-digit numeric portion of the Permit number. Ex. BLD25-00001 and press [#]. The system will confirm this permit by speaking back the site addresses (do not enter '-')." At the end "you will be issued a confirmation number", and the city recommends keeping a record of confirmation numbers against their requests.

5. 5

   NOT READ FOR THIS RECORD: the inspection timeframe rules

   The inspection page carries a separate "Timeframe" tab alongside "Schedule or Cancel" and "Inspection Codes". Its content did not render when opened for this record, so no cut-off time, arrival window or next-day rule is recorded here - and none is inferred. Option [4] on the IVR reads back the scheduled timeframe for a booked inspection.