Home Improvement Construction Responsibilities

Parties involved in a building project typically have roles and responsibilities related to the permit and inspection process after the project has been approved by the Planning/Code Enforcement Division or the Planning Commission.

Homeowner Responsibilities
Some of the homeowner responsibilities are as follows:

• Confirm with all persons performing work on your property that all required zoning and building permits have been obtained from the City before starting work.
• Confirm that the contractor(s) you select have the appropriate state and city licenses and worker?s compensation insurance.
• It is your responsibility to maintain you home in compliance with the California Building Code and the Foster City Municipal Code even after the project has been completed.
• Confirm that all necessary inspections, especially the Final Inspection, are requested and made and that the Job Card is signed by the City Building Inspector. On some projects the contractor may place the responsibility of the Final Inspection with the owner.

Owner/Builder Responsibilities
These are the same as those listed above for the owner. When the owner is acting as the contractor, however, the owner must obtain all permits, call for all required inspections and be responsible for all work performed. Acting as the general contractor the owner/builder is responsible for all persons working on the project and must provide worker?s compensation insurance for them unless they are acting as sub-contractors and provide their own Worker?s Compensation Insurance.