San Diego, CA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Under SDMC §129.0111, every project needing a Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Demolition, Fire, or Mechanical Permit is subject to inspection by the Building Official at defined stages. The permit holder must be told the required sequence of inspections and cannot proceed past each stage until it is approved. No work may be concealed before it is inspected, and any non-complying work must be corrected before being covered. A final inspection approving all structures and installations is required before occupancy; if grading is involved, final inspection follows finish grading. The Building Official can revoke a final inspection approval if it was granted in error or the work is later found unsafe.