California Building Code Title 24 Accessibility Compliance (CASp Inspection) in San Jose, California (2026)
You risk lawsuits, significant daily penalties, and cannot legally occupy your building for a new commercial tenant without a valid CASp inspection report—a certified review of accessibility compliance under the California Building Code Title 24. In San Jose, this mandatory report is prepared by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp), a professional licensed by the Division of the State Architect, also called an ADA compliance survey. Key facts:
- 14 fields on the standard CASp documentation template — ApronPrep auto-fills 12
- $0–$0 direct government filing fees for the report itself (you pay the CASp inspector directly)
- Varies processing timeline, dependent on inspector availability and facility complexity
Analyzed from California Building Code Title 24 Accessibility Compliance (CASp Inspection)
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Why You Need a California Building Code Title 24 Accessibility Compliance (CASp Inspection)
In San Jose, California, your commercial construction or renovation must comply with the California Building Standards Code, Title 24 (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2 and 11), specifically the disabled access provisions enforced under the California Building Code (CBC) and California Existing Building Code (CEBC). This state law mandates that public accommodations, including restaurants, meet or exceed accessibility standards for routes, entries, restrooms, and service counters. The local enforcement is conducted by the City of San Jose Planning, Building & Code Enforcement Department, often requiring verification through a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) inspection report. While San Jose may reference local amendments, the core accessibility requirements are dictated by these state codes, which incorporate federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
Failing to obtain compliance verification before opening or after significant alteration can trigger severe penalties. The City of San Jose can issue a formal notice of violation and stop-work order, halting all construction and delaying your opening indefinitely. Under state law (California Civil Code §§ 55.52-55.54), you may also face:
- Statutory damages of $1,000–$4,000 per violation, plus plaintiff’s attorney fees, in an accessibility lawsuit.
- Mandatory remediation orders from the city, requiring costly, unplanned construction to correct barriers.
- Denial of Certificate of Occupancy, preventing you from legally opening your doors to the public.
- Voided lease provisions or insurance claims if accessibility non-compliance is deemed a material breach of contract or contributes to a patron injury.
Legal code: State building code, state accessibility code (e.g., MA Architectural Access Board regulations - 521 CMR)
Recent update: The 2022 edition of the California Building Code (Title 24) is now in effect, featuring updated accessibility scoping and technical requirements that CASp inspectors apply; San Jose requires compliance with this latest edition for all permits applied for after January 1, 2023.
Who Needs a California Building Code Title 24 Accessibility Compliance (CASp Inspection)?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | All places of public accommodation are required to comply with Title 24 accessibility standards, and a CASp inspection is often required by the City of San Jose for a Certificate of Occupancy. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Bars and nightclubs are considered public accommodations and are subject to Title 24 compliance, and the City's Building Division will verify this during plan review or final inspection. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Mobile food facilities are generally inspected for health code and fire safety; Title 24 accessibility standards for fixed facilities do not directly apply to the vehicle itself. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | As a public-serving retail food establishment, compliance with accessible routes, entrances, and restrooms per Title 24 is mandatory for the Certificate of Occupancy. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (14 Fields)
12 of 14 auto-filledProperty/Business Owner Name
textEnter the full legal name of the individual or entity that owns the property or business where the facility is located, exactly as it appears on the deed or business registration.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a trade name (DBA) instead of the legal entity name, which is a mismatch with county property records and will cause an application hold.
Property Address for Inspection
textEnter the complete street address of the facility, including suite or unit number, for the CASp inspection to be scheduled.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a mailing address or P.O. box instead of the physical site address, preventing the inspector from locating the property.
Type of Facility
textDescribe the primary use of the building (e.g., 'restaurant with indoor/outdoor dining', 'retail clothing store', 'medical office'), as accessibility standards in California Building Code Title 24 vary by occupancy type.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using overly vague terms like 'commercial building' or incorrect occupancy classifications, which can lead to an inspection plan that does not meet the specific code requirements for your business.
Original Construction Date
textEnter the year (and month, if known) the building was originally constructed, which determines the version of the California Building Code that applied at the time.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering the date of a recent remodel instead of the original build date, which misapplies compliance standards and can invalidate the inspection report.
History of Improvements and Renovations
textList all significant renovations, additions, or tenant improvements completed since original construction, including approximate dates and the nature of the work (e.g., '2015 - remodeled restrooms', '2020 - added patio dining').
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting renovations that triggered 'path of travel' obligations under California law, creating liability if undiscovered during the inspection.
Current Accessibility Compliance Awareness
textBriefly describe your current understanding of the facility's compliance with CA accessibility standards (e.g., 'No known evaluation', 'Believed compliant per 2010 plans').
COMMON MISTAKE: Stating 'Fully compliant' without a prior CASp report, which can be deemed an unverified claim and affect legal standing.
Previous Accessibility Evaluations
checkboxCheck the box if any prior accessibility review, survey, or CASp inspection has been conducted on the property.
COMMON MISTAKE: Failing to check this box when a prior evaluation exists, which prevents the inspector from reviewing historical findings and can lead to an incomplete assessment.
Previous Evaluation Details
textIf 'Previous Accessibility Evaluations' is checked, provide details such as the evaluator's name, date of report, and a summary of findings.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank after checking the previous evaluations box, which flags the application as incomplete for missing referenced information.
Scope of Inspection
textSpecify whether the inspection is for the entire facility or specific areas only (e.g., 'Full building', 'Dining room and restrooms only', 'Exterior customer entrance and path of travel').
COMMON MISTAKE: Requesting a 'full building' inspection but omitting ancillary spaces like storage areas or employee break rooms, which are still subject to code and can lead to a non-compliant report.
Purpose of CASp Inspection
textState the primary reason for the inspection, such as 'Tenant improvement permit requirement', 'Litigation due diligence', 'Voluntary compliance review', or 'Property transfer assessment'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using generic purposes like 'for compliance', which does not provide the CASp inspector with necessary context to prioritize elements or tailor the report for its intended use.
ApronPrep auto-fills 12 of 14 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 California Building Code Title 24 Accessibility Compliance (CASp Inspection) Mistakes
1. Not Hiring a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) Before Design Finalization
Submitting plans without a preliminary CASp review leads to costly post-construction retrofits. The consequence is a project delay of 4–8 weeks and added expense for architectural revisions and construction change orders. Avoid this by contracting a CASp during the schematic design phase to identify Title 24 barriers before the building permit application.
2. Assuming ADA Compliance Equals Full Title 24 Compliance
California's Title 24 often exceeds federal ADA standards (e.g., restroom mirror heights, elevator call button placement). Relying solely on ADA guidelines results in inspection failures. For example, a unisex accessible toilet compartment in California may require a 60-inch turning circle where ADA requires 56 inches—a discrepancy that causes rejection. Always reference the latest California Building Code, Chapter 11B.
3. Incomplete or Incorrect Site Inspection Documentation
CASp reports require precise photos, floor plans with barrier locations, and detailed measurements. Submitting vague photos without measurement tags or omitting interior routes of travel adds 2–3 weeks for re-inspection. Avoid this by preparing a marked-up site plan showing all inspected elements (parking, entrances, restrooms, service counters) with dimensions before the CASp visit.
Skip the Paperwork on Your California Building Code Title 24 Accessibility Compliance (CASp Inspection)
ApronPrep auto-fills 12 of 14 fields from one compliance interview.
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California Building Code Title 24 Accessibility Compliance (CASp Inspection) by City in California
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Contact Division of the State Architect for CASp inspection fee information | Variable based on facility size and inspection scope; consult with selected CASp for timeline estimate |
| San Diego | ||
| San Jose |
Timeline: Varies
Hire and Contract a Certified Access Specialist (CASp)
Engage a state-licensed CASp inspector. This is a required first step, as only a CASp can conduct the official Title 24 accessibility inspection. Have your building plans, any existing survey documents, and property information ready for their review. The inspector's availability is the single biggest variable in the overall timeline; schedule this step months in advance.
Undergo the CASp Inspection and Survey
The inspector will conduct a full site visit, measuring elements like door widths, ramp slopes, restroom fixtures, and parking space dimensions against California Building Code standards. Provide full access to all public and employee areas. The inspector will note any violations, which are categorized as 'readily achievable' barriers (easier/cheaper to fix) or 'technical infractions' (structural).
Receive the CASp Inspection Report
The CASp provides a detailed written report listing all barriers, their code citations (e.g., CBC §1115B.5.1), and a prioritized schedule for remediation. This report is the key document for the California Commission on Disability Access (CCDA) and for potential legal defense. Review it carefully; incomplete reports or unclear remediation plans are a common point of delay.
Where to Apply
Applications go to the California board of building regulations. Local procedures and fees may vary — select your city below.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in California.
ABC Local Control Application
local
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Alcohol Server Training Certification (RBS)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThe timeline varies significantly based on the CASp inspector's schedule, the complexity of your building, and whether you need to complete repairs. According to CASp professionals, scheduling the initial inspection can take 1–4 weeks, while receiving the final report after potential modifications may require an additional 2–8 weeks. Plan for this process before applying for other permits like a Building Permit or alcohol license.
The government does not charge a filing fee for this service. However, you must hire a state-licensed Certified Access Specialist (CASp) and pay their professional inspection fee directly. Per industry data, these fees typically range from $1,500 to $5,000+ for a restaurant, depending on your facility's size and age.
No. A CASp inspection and report are specific to the physical features of the inspected property at the time of inspection. If you move your business, the new location must undergo its own independent CASp inspection to evaluate its compliance with Title 24 accessibility standards. Not legal advice — verify with a licensed CASp professional.
A CASp inspection report does not have a formal renewal schedule like a permit. It is a snapshot of compliance on the inspection date. However, a valid CASp report is a key component of an ADA Compliance Self-Certification. You are required to maintain compliance; any significant renovation or alteration to your premises will necessitate a new or updated inspection.
The licensed CASp inspector conducts an on-site evaluation of your facility against California's Title 24 accessibility standards. They will measure and document features like parking, entry doors, ramps, restrooms, dining area pathways, and service counters. The inspector then provides a detailed report classifying the property as either 'CASp-inspected meets applicable standards' or 'CASp-inspected with deficiencies noted.'
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For California specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 14 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State building code, state accessibility code (e.g., MA Architectural Access Board regulations - 521 CMR)
- Los Angeles — Board of Building Regulations / Architectural Access Board
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