San Mateo building inspections

Applies to: Building Permit

1. 1

   No same-day requests, and a 3:00 PM deadline for tomorrow

   "We do not accept same day inspection requests." And "There is a 3:00 PM deadline for scheduling next day inspections." Requests go through the Customer Self-Service portal, "available 24 hours, seven days a week."

2. 2

   A request is not a booking until the email arrives

   "Inspection requests are not confirmed until you get a confirmation email by our automated system. Generally, the email confirmation will be sent the night before the scheduled inspection date around 5:00 PM." Until that email, nothing is scheduled.

3. 3

   Your inspector calls before 9:00 AM with a two-hour window

   "Please expect to be contacted by your inspector before 9:00 AM on the morning of your inspection, at which point you will receive your 2-hour inspection window and confirmation of wither an in-person or virtual inspection." A daily report is published too: "The updated daily inspection 2-hour window report will be published at 9:00 AM." The word "wither" is the city's own typo for "whether".

4. 4

   Put the right phone number on the request

   The city is specific about whose number to give: "It is important to input the field contact number during the scheduling. It is best not to use the call center or dispatch number, but the actual person who will be present at the inspection."

5. 5

   Virtual inspections exist but you cannot book one

   "These inspections are available on an as-needed basis and are initiated by the building inspector assigned to the project... To request a virtual inspection, reach out to your project inspector." The route is the inspector, not the portal, and the decision is theirs.

6. 6

   AM or PM is a preference only

   "AM/PM inspection request times are only noted as a preference and cannot be guaranteed."

7. 7

   Somebody qualified, with the plans and the card

   "Contractors shall prepare for their inspections by having a qualified employee at the site with plans, a permit/job card ready for the inspector. If the site is not ready, or plans and a permit card are not present, contractors may be subject to re-inspection fees."

8. 8

   Cancelling, and the 24-hour line

   "Inspection requests can be cancelled via the CSS Portal before receiving the confirmation email stating that your request has been scheduled. You can also call (650) 522-7172 to cancel." After that: "late cancellations of less than 24 hours prior or same day may be assessed a re-inspection fee."