Long Beach, CA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice before inspection
- at least 1 working day, § 18.07.030(A)
- First required inspection
- footing and foundation
- Last required inspection
- final inspection, before occupancy
- Approval required
- written sign-off before covering work, § 18.07.040
- Special inspectors
- required for listed CBC Ch. 17 work, § 18.07.080
- Concealed-work order
- exposure at no cost to City, § 18.03.020(G)
Summary
Every permitted building project in Long Beach runs through a fixed inspection sequence under LBMC § 18.07.050, footing and foundation, framing, energy efficiency and a final inspection before occupancy, each one requiring the Building Official's written approval before work can proceed to the next stage.
18.07.050 - Required inspections.A.Building. The Building Official, upon notification as specified in Section 18.07.030, shall make the inspections set forth in subsection, if applicable.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. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection...15.Final inspection. Final inspection shall be made after all work required by the permit is completed and prior to occupancy.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
030(A), which requires at least one working day's notice. 46. 040: nothing that is inspected may be covered or concealed until it is signed off. 080 for the categories listed in Chapter 17 of the California Building Code. 010. 050(B) through (E).
Violations & Fines
Covering or concealing work before the required inspection is a Code violation under § 1.32.010: a misdemeanor with up to $1,000 and six months in jail, or an infraction, each day a separate offense. The Building Official can order exposure of concealed work under § 18.03.020(G) at the responsible party's expense, and stop further work under § 18.03.020(H).
Frequently Asked Questions
What inspections does a Long Beach building permit require?
How much notice do I need to give before an inspection?
Can I cover up work before it's inspected?
What's the last inspection before I can occupy a new building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California building safety overview
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