Starting June 5, 2023, Scheduling Your Own In-Person Inspections

Building inspections are performed Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm, excluding holidays, and can be scheduled up to two-days in advance from the current date.

How to Schedule Your Inspection

Click this link to access the Palm Desert eTRAKiT platform. Use the steps below to schedule your inspection, or click here for a step-by-step guide.

Timeframe of Your Inspection

Log into eTRAKiT the morning of your scheduled inspection and select the inspections tab in your permit. You will then see if your inspection is scheduled for the morning or afternoon.

Canceling an Inspection

You may cancel your inspection up to 6:30 a.m. the day of the scheduled inspection using the online web portal. If you need to cancel after 6:30 a.m. the day of your scheduled inspection, please call the building department at 760-776-6420 for assistance. We cannot guarantee the inspector will be contacted prior to visiting the job site for same-day cancelations.

Inspection Procedure

The permit applicant is responsible for verifying that all work is complete and is ready for inspection. Reinspection's will be conducted after all corrections have been made.

The following inspection sequence will provide you with a basic guideline as to when to call for an inspection. The Building Inspector of Record may allow deviation from standard inspection process if there is sufficient reason or site conditions that allow for an adjustment without causing adverse effects to the design of the building or structure.

A Foundation Inspection is conducted after excavations for footings have been completed and all forms and reinforcing steel are in place. All underground drain and waste plumbing must be in place with a 10-foot high water test. All required anchors must be fixed in place prior to inspection approval. The main grounding electrodes (UFER) shall be in place.

A Concrete Slab Inspection will be conducted after grading is complete with the required vapor barrier, sand and reinforcement is installed as per plans. All piping and conduit items must be protected from contact with concrete. This inspection must be performed and approved before placement of concrete.

A Roof Sheathing Inspection will be conducted after all roof sheathing is nailed as per the approved plans and before any roofing materials have been applied or loaded on to the roof. The contractor is responsible to prove a secure ladder/access.

A Wall Sheathing Inspection All plywood shear panels on exterior walls must be nailed per the approved plans including any required shear transfer elements (plate nailing, bolting, strapping, and other shear transfer related hardware) and inspected before being covered by exterior finish materials.

A Frame Inspection is conducted after all framing has been completed and the roofing material has been loaded. All rough plumbing, fire sprinkler piping, mechanical, and electrical, must be completely installed with all required tests. Windows and exterior doorframes must be in place and properly flashed. Exterior lath nailing inspection can be done during the framing inspection or at a later time, but before the insulation inspection. This is a combination inspection.

A Insulation Inspection will be made after all required insulation is in place, windows installed and properly labeled, openings caulked and required sealing completed.

A Drywall Nailing Inspection is done after all drywall and/or interior lath and attachments are fastened in place. This inspection must be completed prior to the scratch coat application and before any drywall finishing is applied. Exterior lath nailing inspection must be approved.

A Sewer And Water Service Connection Building Inspection must be made after the approved piping is in place and the appropriate test is applied. This inspection must be completed prior to any piping being covered.

A Gas Piping Test is an inspection shall be made after all piping authorized by the permit has been installed and after all portions thereof which are to be covered or concealed are so concealed and before any fixtures, appliances, or shutoff valve has been attached thereto.

This inspection shall include an air, CO2 pressure test, at which time the gas piping shall stand a pressure of not less than ten pounds per square inch gauge pressure for no less than fifteen minutes, with no perceptible drop in pressure. For welded piping, and for piping carrying gas at pressures in excess of fourteen inches water column pressure, the test pressure shall not be less than sixty pounds per square inch gauge pressure for no less than thirty minutes, with no perceptible drop in pressure.

A Final Inspection is made when the structure is ready to occupy. The following list of items must be completed: lot drainage, address posted, plumbing fixtures connected and operable, electrical fixtures in place, insulation certificate posted, structure clean of debris and stored construction materials and wall finishes completed as per approved plans.

In advance of your request for a final inspection, a contractor sub list must be submitted. For more information please go to the Business License webpage or click this link. For more information contact (760) 346-0611, ext. 443.

The City of Palm Desert has implemented a Virtual Inspection Program to provide more options of service to the public for only eligible Residential and Commercial permits.

The Virtual Inspections will require photographs in lieu of in-person inspections and may require a video inspection, (only if the inspector deems necessary). These handouts provide the requirements for inspection photos.

For step-by-step instructions on using E-TrackIT, please click here. 

Please Note the Following

The information provided on this page is only a guide. Projects may need a more detailed in-person or virtual inspection than what is listed.

If you have questions concerning specific methods of construction, products, or inspections, please consult with your Inspector of Record, or the Division of Building and Safety at (760) 776-6420.

A phone call could help you avoid the possibility of costly replacement of either defective or unapproved materials.

Virtual Inspection Requirements

• Eligible for a Virtual Inspection Program.

• A valid permit for the proposed work.

The following checklists should be completed by the contractor of record or owner if the permit is owner-builder:

Photograph Requirements

All photos taken shall be clear and they shall have sufficient brightness to see the items to be inspected.

• All photos shall be a minimum of 4 megapixels in size or larger and the photos shall be attached and/or uploaded at full sized

• All photographs are date and time stamped.

Virtual Inspection Scheduling

• Documents and photographs shall be submitted through your E-track-IT account. 

• Once a virtual inspection is submitted, the application and photos will be reviewed within 5-7 business days. The inspector will update your eTRAKiT account with any follow up questions, corrections, or an approval.

• The permit approval in your eTRAKiT account will serve as your record of final inspection.  

• A standard job card will not be issued.

If a Video Inspection is Required

• An Inspector will contact you for a video only if it is needed.