City approves special‑inspector policy with safeguards after reports of unauthorized sign‑offs

The City Council approved a revised policy to authorize and oversee special inspectors (also called deputy inspectors) for narrowly defined construction activities, adding safeguards after staff reported at least one instance of an unauthorized inspection and improper job‑card sign‑off.

Interim Chief Building Official Carlos Gallardo said the guidelines will verify credentials, require renewal and give the city grounds to revoke approval for insufficient qualifications or unsatisfactory inspections. He said special inspectors are intended to supplement city inspections for technically specialized work or continuous operations when city staff cannot be present for every shift.

Council members pushed for consumer protections after staff described a prior case where an unauthorized inspector signed job cards without city authorization. In response, council required three explicit safeguards before approving the program:

• Minimum continuing education parity: authorized special inspectors and agencies must meet the same continuing‑education/training minimums expected of city inspectors.

• No job‑card sign‑offs and no final inspections by special inspectors: special inspectors may prepare and submit inspection reports, but only city inspectors may sign job cards and complete final inspections.

• Defined scope with building‑official discretion: the policy will list the specific categories of work appropriate for special inspectors (examples include welding, concrete mix testing, reinforcing‑steel inspection) and allow the building official to authorize additional narrowly tailored circumstances when necessary.

Councilmember questions focused on homeowner protection, public outreach to prevent scams, and how fees and payments would work; staff said special‑inspector services are paid directly by the project owner or contractor while permit inspection fees are charged through the city’s deposit or flat‑fee structure. Staff also agreed to increase public outreach at permit intake and in code‑enforcement neighborhood meetings so residents understand when a special inspector is — and is not — required.

The policy passed on a council vote with the three amendments included; staff will publish the city’s approved list of authorized special‑inspection categories and maintain a running roster of approved inspectors and agencies.