Santa Clarita, CA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Placard requirement
- Posted until final approval, Sec. 110.7
- Temporary occupancy window
- Up to 10 working days
- Gypsum board inspection
- Required, no fire-rated exception
- Special inspector registration
- Required under Sec. 110.9
- Violation penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine, 6 months jail
Summary
Every Santa Clarita building permit comes with a construction placard and an inspection record card that must stay posted at the job site until the Building Official signs off on final approval. Work cannot proceed past each stage without the required inspection, and Building Code Section 110.3.6 now requires an inspection of all gypsum board, not just fire-rated or shear assemblies, closing a prior exception.
110.3.13 Reinspections. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection under any of the following conditions: 1. When such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete and ready. 2. When corrections previously called for by the inspector have not been made. 3. When the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector at the time of the requested inspection. 4. When access to the jobsite is not available at the time the inspection was scheduled. 5. When there is a deviation from the approved plans related to the work to be inspected and such deviation was not previously reviewed and approved by Building & Safety staff. In instances where a reinspection fee has been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fee has been paid. 110.7 Construction Placard and Inspection Record Card. Work requiring a building permit shall not be commenced until the permit holder or the permit holder's agent have posted in a conspicuous location at the construction site, a construction placard provided by the Building Official at the time of permit issuance.
Full Breakdown
7, added by Ordinance 25-5, bars starting permitted work until the permit holder posts the construction placard the Building Official issues at permit issuance in a conspicuous spot at the site; the placard stays up until the work receives final approval, and the inspection record card must be kept available so the inspector can log each required inspection. Once the Building Official signs a final approval on that card, it serves as temporary authorization to occupy or use the project for up to 10 working days while the permanent certificate is processed.
13 lets the department charge a reinspection fee whenever an inspector shows up and the work is not ready, corrections called out on a prior visit have not been made, approved plans are not on hand at the site, the jobsite is not accessible at the scheduled time, or the work deviates from approved plans without prior sign-off from Building & Safety staff; once that fee is assessed, no further inspection happens until it is paid. 8 lets the Building Official accept inspection reports from registered design professionals or registered deputy inspectors in place of a city inspector for repair work performed during a declared emergency, provided the report shows the work met all applicable codes.
9 separately requires anyone acting as a special inspector on a Santa Clarita project, such as inspections under Chapter 17, to register with the city, pay a registration fee, and demonstrate qualification before performing that role.
Violations & Fines
Failing to keep the construction placard posted or removing it before final approval violates Section 110.7 and can hold up further inspections. Proceeding without a required reinspection fee paid under Section 110.3.13 stops all further inspection activity on the permit. Beyond that, Section 114.4 treats any code violation, including uninspected or unpermitted work, as a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both, with each day counted separately, plus administrative citations under Title 23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the inspection record card for in Santa Clarita?
Do I have to pay for a reinspection?
Can I occupy my building before final inspection paperwork is done?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clarita
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