Orange building inspections

Applies to: Building Permit

1. 1

   SLOTS ARE RATIONED, NOT DEADLINED - and you can be shut out entirely

   "Building Inspections can be scheduled starting at 8:00 am on any business day and up to three (3) business days in advance, based on availability." The city then spells out what that means: "Inspection availability depends on staffing levels and may vary. Only available dates will be highlighted on the pop-up calendar. If the highlighted date is full, you'll see an alert pop-up and must choose the next available date. If no dates are available, please try again the next business day at 8:00 am." Every other city in this corpus publishes a cut-off time; Orange publishes a queue that can be empty.

2. 2

   Foundations

   "Foundations inspections are to be performed after excavation for footings are complete, and all form boards are in place. Also, required anchor bolts and steel reinforcements to be set in place prior to pouring concrete."

3. 3

   Under-Concrete-Slab or Under Floor

   "Any electrical or plumbing systems to be placed underneath concrete slabs, or beneath the wood floors must be inspected prior to placing cement or floor sheathing. Any raised foundation systems must have the floor joist and girders inspected prior to installing floor sheathing."

4. 4

   Under Floor Insulation or Vapor Barriers for Concrete Slab

   "Under floor insulation for raised foundations must be inspected prior to installing sub-floors. Moisture vapor barrier must be inspected for slabs prior to pouring concrete."

5. 5

   Rough Electrical, Plumbing and Heating

   "The electrical, plumbing and heating systems must be installed and approved prior to framing inspection." Note the ordering constraint - these must be APPROVED, not merely done, before framing can be inspected.

6. 6

   Framing

   "The framing inspection is to be performed after the roof framing, wall framing, fire blocking, wall bracing, doors, windows, flashings, attic / floor vents, and chimneys are complete."

7. 7

   Energy and Insulation - and leave the window labels on

   "In addition to the framing inspection, all insulation, windows, electrical, plumbing and heating systems must meet the energy requirements according to the energy calculations submitted with the approved plans. Do not remove manufacture labels on windows until the inspection approvals are given. All insulation and caulking must be inspected and approved prior to concealing."

8. 8

   Lath and Drywall

   "Lath and drywall inspections are to be performed after all lath and drywall is in place but before any plaster is applied or before gypsum wallboard joints and fasteners are taped and finished."

9. 9

   Final - and it may not be the last one

   "Final inspection is required when the work is completed. The sign-off is the last step prior to issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (CFO) on brand new construction. Additional department (i.e. Planning, Fire, or Public Works) finals may be required prior to building final." So the building final is gated behind other departments' finals, not the other way round.

10. 10

    Residential solar and battery storage have their own procedures

    For "Residential Solar / Photovoltaic with or without Energy Storage System": the contractor must be onsite at the time of inspection; the submitted plans, the uploaded plans and express checklist, and the electrical single line diagram must all be available; "If the installation or onsite conditions differ from what was submitted and permitted, revise your drawings, and upload them to the portal prior to the next scheduled inspection"; and if batteries are installed within a structure, Fire Department inspection and approval is required.