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CITY OF PALM DESERT
Building & Safety Division
73-510 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert, CA (760) 776-6420
VIRTUAL INSPECTION PROGRAM
The City of Palm Desert has implemented a Virtual Inspection Program to provide consistent and safe services to the public during the COVID-19
Pandemic. These changes to our inspection procedures provide contactless inspections for eligible residential, and in some cases, commercial
permits.
This inspection process will require photographs in lieu of in-person inspections and may require a video inspection if the inspector deems
necessary. Informational handouts and checklists are provided on the requirements for the inspection photos.
The follow inspection types will not be conducted in person:
• Simple residential heating, ventilation, and air-
conditioning (HVAC) change-outs.
• Simple water heater replacement.
• Residential window and door replacement.
• Residential sewer connections.
• Simple residential reroofs.
• Residential electric vehicle charging permits.
Virtual Inspection Requirements:
• Eligible for a virtual inspection program.
• A valid permit for the proposed work.
• The Virtual Inspection Checklist and photographs are completed by the contractor of record, or owner (if the permit is owner-builder).
• Properly emailed, labeled, and submitted to the City’s designated email address.
• Photograph Requirements:
1. All photos taken shall be clear and they shall have sufficient brightness to see the items to be inspected.
2. All photos shall be a minimum of 4 megapixels in size or larger and the photos shall be attached at full sized.
3. All photographs are date and time stamped.
Virtual Inspection Scheduling
• Documents and photographs shall be emailed to virtualinspections@cityofpalmdesert.org
• Photos and documents that are too large to send via email, please send it through our portal at http://cpdftp.org/
• The email header shall include your permit number (the permit number can be found on your receipt), the address of the residence, and
labeled:
Example: HVAC00-0000 – 13345 Main Street – Virtual Inspection
• The body of the email shall include the contact person’s name.
• Once a virtual inspection is submitted, the photos will be reviewed and a City inspector will be assigned. The inspector will contact the
applicant with any follow up questions, corrections, or an approval. Your approval email serves as the inspection and permit approval
and final – a standard job card will not be issued.
If a video inspection is required:
• Reliable internet connection
• Fully charged iPad, iPhone, Tablet or Android device with webcam capability
• Zoom is the current application for virtual meetings. To complete your, inspection, you will need to download the Zoom application for
your device. FaceTime may be available for Apple users.
• On the scheduled date and time of the inspection you will receive a call from your inspector prior to the start of the remote inspection
on the virtual platform.