CA AB1738

Requires California cities and counties to offer remote inspection options (via videoconferencing or recorded photos/videos) for building permits on one- and two-family dwellings by July 1, 2027

Mandatory remote inspection availability applies to water heaters, HVAC systems, reroofs, minor electrical work, plumbing, solar/battery systems, smoke detectors, ADUs under 800 sq ft, and wildfire home hardening improvements

Additional project types including drywall, insulation, window replacements, decks, and residential additions under 800 sq ft are eligible for remote inspection at the construction inspector's discretion

Local agencies may audit remote inspections and temporarily ban homeowners or contractors who willfully misrepresent work from using the remote inspection option

Beginning April 1, 2028, cities and counties must report remote inspection compliance data in their annual housing element reports, including numbers of remote vs. in-person inspections, failure rates, and audits conducted