Cupertino, CA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Municipal Code § 16.04.090 (CBC Section 110)
- Required stages
- 12 inspection stages, Sections 110.3.1 through 110.3.12
- First stage
- Footing and foundation inspection after excavation
- Notice duty
- Permit holder must request each inspection
- Final stage
- Final inspection after all permitted work is done
Summary
Permitted construction in Cupertino must stay accessible for inspection until the Building Official approves it. Required stages run from footing and foundation through framing to a final inspection, and the permit holder must notify the Building Official when work is ready. Work beyond an approved stage without sign-off is not allowed.
[A] 110.1 General. Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. ... [A] 110.3 Required inspections. The Building Official, upon notification, shall make the inspections set forth in Section 110.3.1 through 110.3.12. [A] 110.3.1 Footing and Foundation Inspection. Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. ... [A] 110.3.4 Frame Inspection. Framing inspections shall be made after the roof deck or sheathing, all framing, fire-blocking and bracing are in place and pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are approved. ... [A] 110.3. ... 12 Final inspection. The final inspection shall be made after all work required by the building permit is completed. ... [A] 110. ... 5 Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the holder of the building permit or their duly authorized agent to notify the building official when work is ready for inspection.
Full Breakdown
090. 1 requires that permitted construction remain accessible and exposed for inspection until approved, and bars treating any inspection approval as authorization to violate the code. 4. 12 made only after all permitted work is complete. 5 places the duty on the permit holder or an authorized agent to notify the Building Official when work is ready for inspection and to provide site access. 6 bars proceeding past any inspected stage without the Building Official's approval; noncompliant portions must be corrected and stay uncovered until authorized.
Violations & Fines
Covering or concealing work before the required inspection is approved, or proceeding past an inspection stage without sign-off, violates Section 110.6 and requires the noncompliant work to be uncovered and corrected before it can be approved. Persistent noncompliance exposes the permit to suspension under Section 105.6 and can trigger a stop-work order under Section 115.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cover framing before it is inspected?
Who has to schedule Cupertino building inspections?
What is the last inspection before a project is done?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
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