State Housing Law: remote inspections

Remote inspections can be requested for common upgrades and repairs, potentially avoiding an in-person inspection without added cost or delay. The law applies statewide, including charter cities, subject to population-based exemptions and deadlines.

What the law does ​

• Requires local agencies to let homeowners, or contractors with homeowner consent, request remote inspections for eligible work in one- and two-family homes.
• Covers heat-pump water heaters and HVAC systems, reroofs, qualifying solar and energy-storage systems, and smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
• Allows inspectors to use live video or recorded photos and videos, set technical protocols, and require an in-person inspection when remote review cannot verify code compliance.
• Requires remote inspections to be offered at no greater cost and with no greater delay than in-person inspections.
• Allows local agencies to keep digital inspection records, expand remote inspections to more permit types, and temporarily bar intentional misrepresenters from remote inspections.
• Exempts cities under 5,000 residents and counties under 150,000 residents, including cities within those counties.

Who it affects ​

• Homeowners seeking permits for covered work in one- and two-family homes.
• Contractors performing covered work, with homeowner consent or disclosure when remote inspection is locally required.
• City and county building departments and construction inspectors.

Context ​

Most covered local agencies must comply by January 1, 2028; eligible cities with 50,000 or fewer residents have until July 1, 2028.