Placer County launches new remote video inspection program

Published on April 21, 2020

Placer County launched a new program allowing building inspections via the internet for small projects such as electrical services, electrical trenching, heating and air changeouts, reroof final inspections, rooftop solar, new spa connections, sheds under 500 square feet, sewer yard lines, and water heaters.

Contractors and homeowners can now connect with county building inspectors virtually and receive same-day approval on projects using remote video inspections, a new program that is offered by the Placer County Community Development Resource Agency.

“We are excited to expand our eServices program and add value to our customers’ experience,” said Placer County Chief Building Official Tim Wegner. “This new service makes inspections efficient and will save customers’ time and save taxpayer money”

Remote video inspections will be used for building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing evaluations. For those inspections deemed too complex to perform virtually, the county will continue field services.

The process will facilitate the permitting process by drastically reducing the time it takes to conduct inspections, improves the timing of the inspection with the work to keep projects moving, reduces inspector trips to the site for indicated reinspection items, and for those emergency service connections, no more waiting to connect with real-time inspections.

The new program requires customers to have a smartphone, tablet or laptop computer equipped with a camera and 4G wireless service or Wi-Fi. A Skype account is also required for video inspections which can be scheduled online. 

The remote video inspections program is the latest offering through the county Community Development Resource Agency’s award-winning eServices website.

The eServices website allows citizens to submit permit applications online for commercial and residential development. Permit review and approval is conducted electronically, and inspectors complete the process by inspecting new construction virtually or in person.

In addition to submitting applications for residential and commercial development projects online, the eServices digital suite allows customers to look up zoning requirements, ask related questions via the Ask Placer chatbot, apply for permits and more from the comfort of their home or business.

Learn more about remote video inspections and eServices at www.placer.ca.gov/eservices.