Commencement of Work

Only when a permit is issued can work on such project legally start. By City Ordinance, all construction activity is restricted to the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. No construction activity is permitted on Sundays,  or the days on which the holidays designated as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day are observed. Modifications of this requirement are by special permit for construction activities issued only by the Building Official. 

Why are inspections needed?

A building inspection is an independent examination of construction site by a person knowledgeable of Building codes and trades. Our inspectors confirm that actual job site conditions are in agreement with approved plans, and verify that the construction materials are installed in a proper manner and in accordance with the approved plans and codes.

When are inspections needed?

The type and number of inspections by the Building Division vary with the type of project. The typical order of on-site inspection visits is as follows:

• Foundation inspection: After trenches are excavated, reinforcing is in place and forms set, and all materials for the foundation are on site and before pouring any concrete or laying down any masonry units.
• Rough, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical inspection: When all in-slab or under-floor conduit, piping, service equipment are in, but before concrete is poured or floor sheeting is installed. For rough inspections check to make sure planned fixtures are to code and framing does not interfere with them.
• Framing inspection: After roofing, framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place, and all pipes, chimneys and vents are in.
• Insulation: When all thermal insulation is installed in floors, walls, and attics, but before any of the work is concealed.
• Lath and/or wallboard inspection: After lathing and/or gypsum wallboard is in place, but before plastering is done or joints and fasteners are taped and finished.
• Final inspection: After the building is completed, watertight and ready for occupancy. All electrical and plumbing fixtures and heating/cooling equipment must be in place, and any finish grading completed. However, painting, carpeting and other "cosmetic" work need not be finished.

The Chief Building Officer may also require other inspections to ascertain compliance with codes and other laws as the case may be.

When to call for inspections

An inspection should not be requested unless all work to be inspected is completed. If the inspector is called to inspect incomplete work, the job is subject to an additional reinspection fee.

To arrange an inspection, call (310) 318-0607 for the City's 24-hour a day, seven days a week inspection request line. For requests placed before 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, most inspections can be made the following working day. Have the yellow inspection record card and the approved set of plans available in a conspicuous place for the inspector. (City Hall is closed on alternative Fridays)

Contacting inspectors

To contact our inspectors, call (310) 318-0636 or visit our office during their scheduled morning and afternoon hours.

Changing plans

Should actual site conditions necessitate that the structure be built other than what is shown on the stamped set, a revised drawing must be prepared and approved by the plan review engineer prior to construction. We will review the changes as quickly as possible.

Special Inspections (Section 1701)

A deputy inspector shall be required for specialized work such as concrete strength greater than 2500psi, field welding, high strength bolting, spray applied fireproofing, structural masonry, etc. see UBC section 1701. These special inspectors must be specified on plans by the design professional.

Deputy inspectors must register with the Building Division prior to work, and contact our Building Regulation Manager for registration information. The fee for registration is $111.00.

Special inspections

With special approval of the Building Official, special inspection for work outside normal City business hours can be arrange. Contact our Building Regulation Manager for additional details and inspection fees. The fee for registration is $129.00.

Keeping permit active

The code specifies that projects must progress at a reasonable pace. If no inspection is called for within 180 days, the permit will expire.

Stop work orders

If work is started without required permits, the inspector may issue an order to comply (stop order). Permits must then be obtained and work corrected. The code provides that investigation fee shall be collected when work had been done without required permits.

Suspension or revocation

When a permit has been issued in error or based on incorrect information, the Building Official may suspend or revoke said permit.

License Department

See the "City Treasurer" sub section in section I regarding licensing close-out.

Certificate of Occupancy

Use and Occupancy

No building or structure shall be used or occupied and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the building official has issued a Certificate of Occupancy therefore as provided herein and fee paid.

Exception:

Single family dwellings and their garages need not obtain a certificate of occupancy. However, they must be inspected and approved and the inspection card is signed off for final building prior to occupancy.

Issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Certificates presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or other ordinance of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.

Change in use

Changes in the character or use of a building shall not be made except as specified in Section 3405 of the Uniform Building Code.

Certificate Issued

After the building official or his designee inspects the building or structure and find no violation of the provisions of this code or other laws which are enforced by the code enforcement agency, the building official shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy which shall contain the following:

1. The building permit number
2. The address of the building
3. The name and address of the owner
4. A description of that portion of the building for which the certificate is issued.
5. A statement that the described portion of the building has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of this code for the group and division of occupancy and the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified.
6. The name of the building official.

Temporary Certificate

If the building official finds that no substantial hazard will result from occupancy of any building or portion thereof before the same is completed, a temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued for the use of a portion or portions of a building or structure prior to the completion of the entire building or structure.

Posting

The Certificate of Occupancy shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises and shall not be removed except by the building official.

Violations and Penalties

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation too erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building or structure or cause or permit the same to be done in violation of this code.

The penalty for any violation, upon the conviction of any violation, shall be a fine of not more than One Thousand and no/100ths ($1,000.00) Dollars, or imprisonment in a county jail for a period not exceeding six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment.

However, the intent of the Chief Building Officer is not to prosecute citizens that, due to their lack of knowledge of this law, have done work with proper permits and inspections, rather it is his desire to assist those citizens in correcting any violation and secure proper after-the fact permits and inspections, thus assuring life and property safety, health and welfare of the public.

The following procedure has been developed in light of that intent and to assist citizens achieve full code compliance and avoid any penalty therefrom.

1. a) Submit complete plans to Planning and Building Divisions for the work done without permits. This would include a plot plan and construction plans (floor and framing plan, exterior elevations and section view, energy compliance, etc.) Electrical, plumbing and mechanical plans for non-residential projects.
   
   b) Complete a building permit application and pay investigation fee and plan check fee.
2. Prior to plan check an inspector will visit project site to aid plan check process. Plan check corrections will be returned requesting additional information or clarification to ensure code compliance. Elements of construction that must be uncovered will be required to be noted on the plans. As part of the plan check process, the inspector may do a field investigation to assist the plan checker with specific areas of concern and to check for standard "After the Fact" construction details.
4. The applicant will be notified when the plans are approved. A permit may be issued for the "As Built" with the payment of a permit fee plus an investigation fee of up to the permit fee amount. [UBC Section 107.5] Any required electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits must also be taken out at the time, with a permit fee plus the investigation fee as mentioned above.


5. All permits issued "After the Fact" shall be based upon the finding that the "As Built" structure demonstrates reasonable compliance with the applicable city and state codes.


6. Development fees (Park and Recreation Tax, SMI Tax, etc) applicable at the time of plan submittal will be assessed and collected along with the building permit. The School Facilities fee is collected by Redondo Beach Unified School District, if applicable.
7. The applicant must request an inspection from the building inspector once the permit has been issued and the required elements of construction are exposed, as required by the plan approval.
8. The building inspector will either approve the construction for conformance to the plans or leave a correction notice. The applicant must request a reinspection once the required corrections are made. The inspector's copy of the permit will be finalized off and made a part of the City's permanent address file. Copies of the finalized permit may be obtained at the public counter day following the final inspection approval.

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Our Code Enforcement Officers are given the primary duty to enforce titles 3,49,10, & 11 of Redondo Beach Municipal Code (RBMC). This includes:

• 3, 4, 9, conducting pro-active inspections for violations of RBMC
• Inspecting in response to complaints
• Issuing notices, and orders to vacate buildings
• Preparing criminal cases regarding aforementioned code violations
• Investigating disabled access complaints
• Enforcing the Uniform Housing Code. Substandard Buildings, Nuisances,
• Enforcing the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings

Examples or ordinances under Code Enforcement control include but are not limit to:

Abandoned buildings, which are boarded up, partially destroyed, or left in a state of partial construction uncompleted after building permits have expired, as regulated by Ordinance 2606 (Section 4-10.02).

Abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles are covered under Ordinance 1960 (Section 4-18.01). Code Enforcement Officer may take required action to correct vehicle nuisances, conduct hearings, remove vehicles in a lawful way, and assess costs to the property owner.

Garage sales ?ordinance 2112 (Section 4-23.02) restricts the number of days per year these sales can be conducted.

Nuisances Ordinance 1258 (Section 4-10-01)

Prohibition of sign and banners on public property, Ordinances 2628 and 2631 (Section 4-1.201)

Ordinance 2631 (Section 4-21.01) regulates the placement, appearance, servicing and insuring of news racks in public rights-of-way.

Unnecessary, excessive and annoying sounds are prohibited in the City per Ordinance 2183. Our staff measures machinery noise levels for human and amusement noise complaints, contact the Police Department, and issues abatement orders as appropriate (Section 4-10.02)