Your Guide to Riverside County Commercial Inspections

Welcome to my comprehensive guide on commercial inspections in Riverside County! As a business owner, going through the inspection process can seem daunting, but my goal with this post is to provide you with all the information you need to prepare for and successfully complete your commercial inspection.

An Overview of Commercial Inspections in Riverside County

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s quickly go over the basics of commercial inspections. The county requires inspections for new construction projects, renovations, alterations, and even changing the use of an existing building. The purpose is to verify that the work complies with county building codes and zoning ordinances to ensure the safety of occupants.

The county has inspectors for all construction disciplines – structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, etc. Multiple inspectors may be required to sign off at different stages of your project. The number and type of inspections you’ll need depends on the details of your specific project.

The county provides inspection checklists for different project types to outline exactly what the inspectors will be looking for. Reviewing these ahead of time is crucial to avoid surprises and prepare properly.

Now let’s get into the process in more detail!

Scheduling Your Inspection

Riverside County uses an online portal called the Automated Permit Tracking System (APTS) to manage Commercial  inspection in Riverside County. You can use this system to request inspections, check statuses, and view results.

To schedule, log into your APTS account and select “Schedule an Inspection.” Choose the project location, type of inspection needed, preferred date, and any inspector notes. Make requests at least 24 hours in advance for best results.

The system will provide a 2-4 hour inspection window, which is when the inspector is expected to arrive. Ensure someone is on-site to meet them, like the general contractor or a project manager. Inspections take 30-60 minutes depending on the size of the project.

You can use APTS to check if the inspection passed or if there are any corrections needed. This is usually available the same day.

Top Items the Inspector Checks

Knowing the key things inspectors look out for on a commercial project is crucial. This allows you to double check these items yourself before calling for inspection.

Here are some of the top things covered:

Building: Proper permits posted, site work completed, foundation and structural framing correct, fire-rated construction intact, ventilation meets code.

Electrical: All electrical done by licensed electrician, proper grounding and bonding, breaker panel installed correctly, wiring methods to code.

Plumbing: Proper materials used, venting correctly installed, fixtures meet conservation standards, hot water heater secured.

Mechanical: HVAC installed properly, exhaust fans ducted outside, ductwork and vents correctly sized.

Fire Safety: Proper building access, illuminated exit signs, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers installed.

This covers the major points but is not exhaustive. Again, check the county’s inspection checklists for details.

Preparing for Your Inspection

You want your inspection day to go smoothly, so being prepared is key. Here are some tips:

• Review the inspector notes in APTS to understand what they’ll be looking for.
• Have the approved plans on hand and double check your work against them.
• Ensure all areas are accessible – clear away materials or equipment blocking access.
• Test any equipment being inspected ahead of time like plumbing or HVAC.
• Gather any documents or manuals needed like emergency plans and equipment spec sheets.
• Coordinate so necessary contractors or subcontractors will be on site.
• Walk through yourself looking for any issues the day before.

Being organized and thorough will help the inspection go quickly and increase your chances of passing on the first try.

Possible Inspection Outcomes

There are a few potential results from your inspection:

Pass – You passed the inspection and can move forward. The inspector may provide verbal feedback on site even with a passing result, so listen carefully to any recommendations.

Conditional Pass – Everything looks good except for a few minor issues. This allows you to move forward while you make the corrections. then just have those specific areas re-inspected later.

Corrections Required – More significant or widespread issues were found that must be fixed before you can pass. Make the necessary corrections then schedule a re-inspection when ready.

Stop Work Order – Major deficiencies were identified, and all work must halt until they are addressed and approved. Find out exactly what needs to be done to get back on track.

Be sure to fully resolve any outstanding corrections or stop work orders before scheduling the next required inspection. Doing great work upfront reduces the likelihood of significant issues arising.

Working With Inspectors

Developing positive working relationships with the county inspectors makes the process go much more smoothly. Here are some tips:

• Be on site to answer any questions and discuss issues in person.
• Maintain open communication and contact them in advance with any questions.
• Don’t argue with inspectors – make the corrections then appeal later if necessary.
• Have all approved plans, docs, manuals, etc. organized and on hand.
• If planning changes arise, discuss with inspector first before deviating.
• Follow proper safety procedures when they are on site.
• Be respectful and courteous – don’t take problems personally!

Treating inspectors as partners in the project rather than adversaries creates goodwill and cooperation. This attitude serves you well as you work toward opening your commercial establishment.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

By learning from others, hopefully you can dodge some frequent pitfalls:

• Scheduling too early before work is ready – wait until close to complete.
• Incomplete or sloppy work that obviously won’t pass.
• Disorganized documents and plans that waste time on site.
• Assuming verbal approvals count – only official inspection results matter.
• Making changes without approval and documentation.
• Trying to hide problems rather than fixing them.
• Not having licensed contractors when required.
• Lacking safety barriers around excavations or high work.
• Ignoring inspection prerequisites for scheduling next phases.

Stay organized, do quality work, and you’ll minimize snafus!

Resources for Commercial Inspections

Utilize all the great resources Riverside County provides around commercial inspections:

• APTS system – Manage scheduling and track results.
• Website – Checklists, permit info, and contacts.
• Project coordinators – Assigned to each project for guidance.
• Inspectors – Pick their brains about requirements.
• Contractors – Rely on their expertise for your business type.

Don’t hesitate to tap into these valuable sources of information throughout your project.

Conclusion

I hope this overview dispels any unease around Riverside County commercial inspections. By understanding the process, preparing thoroughly, and leveraging the available resources, you can tackle your inspection with confidence. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!