Residential Building Inspector B1General Administration, Legal, and EnforcementMedium
A building permit was issued for a new residential addition, and construction began shortly after. During the framing inspection, the inspector notices that the contractor has not posted the permit card in a conspicuous location on the job site, as required by local ordinance. What is the most appropriate action for the inspector to take?
- AImmediately issue a stop work order until the permit card is posted.
- BFail the inspection and require the contractor to reschedule once posted.
- CIgnore the oversight, as it does not directly impact structural integrity.
- DInform the contractor of the requirement and instruct them to post it immediately.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Inform the contractor of the requirement and instruct them to post it immediately.
While posting the permit card is a requirement, its absence is typically a minor administrative violation. The most appropriate initial action is to inform the contractor and require immediate compliance, rather than issuing a stop work order or failing the entire inspection for this administrative detail.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A stop work order is too severe for a missing permit card, unless there are other, more serious violations.
- B. Failing the inspection for this alone is disproportionate; it can usually be corrected on the spot.
- C. Ignoring the requirement is not an option; it's a code or ordinance provision that must be enforced.
Permit Card Posting
Requirement for the approved building permit or a copy thereof to be conspicuously displayed on the job site for easy access by the building official and public.
- Mandated by local ordinances.
- Facilitates inspection verification.
- Administrative requirement, not typically a critical safety issue.
Memory trick: Missing permit card is a quick fix, not a show-stopper.