The Work-Completed Closure With One Siding Inspection

Case 23-009185 | Card 39 | 4880 T Street, Sacramento CA 95819

The City closed Case 23-009185 as "Work Completed" [R.26-2487.2] on a final inspection of a permit it had issued the day before. Its own log (R.26-2487.2, image-only, read by eye): 06/02/2026, "60 days since last inspection. Cancel permit?" [R.26-2487.2]; 06/04/2026, "Permit RES-2603471 was requested expired by BI/CM Paul Lovato due to no requested inspections for 60+ days." [R.26-2487.2]; 06/17/2026, PERMIT ISSUED, entered by Counter Staff, "New permit required to clear up expired permit RES-2603471 (Expired)" [R.26-2487.2]; 06/18/2026, "Arrived onsite for 29 Bldg FINAL inspection on permit RES-2612571 and approved. Case closed." [R.26-2487.2] A second entry that day, headed RE-INSPECTION, reads "60 days since permit issued. Send 10 day permit to expire? Send 25th admin penalty / Monitoring fee." [R.26-2487.2] over a permit one day old. The property's cameras put the visit at six minutes, 12:03 [P10] to 12:09 [P11] (audio [V7.T]) — the badged man on the front walk from a pickup lettered "SACRAMENTO" at 12:02:23 [P27], at the backyard patio from 12:03:45 to 12:09:04, at the pickup's door by 12:09:33 [V7.2] — and at 12:08:03 the backyard camera records him, identified by voice as the inspector [V7.3.T], saying "there's stuff like that's still minor stuff that has to be done" [V7.3]; Card 38 carries what the expired permit's own inspection record holds.

The same report's VIOLATIONS table [R.26-2487.2] closes twelve violations that day, each "Close Date: 06/18/2026": the two placeholders from 2023 — B31 "Other", still carrying "This is not a complete Violation List of building code violations. Neither interior nor exterior has been completely inspected." [R.26-2487.2], and B59 "Permits Required" (Card 1) — and ten opened 08/29/2025 that each describe a condition: B23, dry-rot at siding and trim [R.26-2487.2]; B45, added square footage at the detached garage [R.26-2487.2]; E02 [R.26-2487.2] and E03 [R.26-2487.2], extension cords "wired together with exposed conductors at front of property" [R.26-2487.2]; E06, extension cords "not approved for permanent wiring" [R.26-2487.2]; E08, a washer and dryer "not approved for use" [R.26-2487.2]; E11, "Service panel dead front removed with extension cords tied in to breakers" [R.26-2487.2]; P05, a backyard shower "to be removed along with water piping to supply shower area" [R.26-2487.2]; P08, "Added gas line for dryer in backyard requires permits" [R.26-2487.2]; P09, "Dryer at backyard not approved for use" [R.26-2487.2]. Until August 28, 2026 the one inspection history the City had released was the expired permit's, one line: "04/02/2026 84 Bldg-Siding In Prog Approved Paul Lovato" [R.26-2487.4]. Asked on June 23, 2026 for "the most recent inspection report, and all completed inspection reports" [R.26-2487.5] and for an express statement "no completed inspection report exists for any item above" [R.26-2487.5], the City released three documents [R.26-2487.5], none for RES-2612571, pointed to "your previous request, Request 26-1965, for Code Case #23-009185 from it's inception to 05/17/2026" [R.26-2487.5] — a month before the closure — and closed the request "All responsive records have been provided" [R.26-2487.5] (Card 4). On August 28, 2026, under Request 26-3395 [R.26-3395.2], it released the inspection history for RES-2612571: four finals dated 06/18/2026 — "29 Bldg FINAL" [R.26-3395.3], "39 Mech FINAL" [R.26-3395.3], "59 Plmg FINAL" [R.26-3395.3], "79 Elect FINAL" [R.26-3395.3] — each "Approved" [R.26-3395.3], each "No comment available" [R.26-3395.3], and a siding inspection "Cancel" [R.26-3395.3], "Wrong inspection called in for." [R.26-3395.3]

What record shows what the 29 Bldg FINAL of 06/18/2026 on one-day-old permit RES-2612571 inspected — the service panel with its dead front removed, the extension cords, the added gas line, the shower's water piping, the garage addition, the dry-rot, and the two 2023 placeholders — when the City had expired the permit for that work two weeks earlier because no inspections had been requested for 60+ days [R.26-2487.2], its visit that morning lasted six minutes [P10] on the property's own cameras, the inspection history it released for that permit on August 28, 2026 carries "No comment available" [R.26-3395.3] on each of its four finals, and the production it closed that day with “All responsive records have been provided. [R.26-3395.2]” holds no other record of what was inspected?

IN PLAIN TERMS

The City closed this three-year case on June 18, 2026 as "Work Completed". The permit for the work had run out two weeks earlier [R.26-2487.2] because nobody had asked for an inspection in 60 days. A new permit was issued on June 17 [R.26-2487.2]. The next day the inspector approved a "final" on that one-day-old permit [R.26-2487.2] — a six-minute visit [P10], during which he is recorded saying "there's stuff like that's still minor stuff that has to be done" [V7.3] — and closed twelve violations [R.26-2487.2]: wiring, a service panel, a gas line, a shower's water piping, dry-rot, an addition, and the two 2023 placeholders — conditions its own inspector had written "would normally cause power to be removed from the property" [M035]. Asked for the record, the City produced on August 28, 2026 four finals approved that day [R.26-3395.3], each "No comment available" [R.26-3395.3]. The question for the City: what record shows what that six-minute final inspected?

RECORD CHAIN

  1. March 20, 2023 and August 29, 2025 — the twelve violations, as the City's own report lists them. Two rows opened 03/20/2023: B31 "Other" [R.26-2487.2], whose comment is the City's standing text that the list is not complete and neither interior nor exterior has been completely inspected, and B59 "Permits Required" [R.26-2487.2] under SCC.8.100.190 — "Work has been done without the benefit of a PERMIT. This work must be removed or properly Permitted and Approved by the City of Sacramento." [R.26-2487.2] (Card 1, Card 2). Ten rows opened 08/29/2025: B23 8.100.660, "East side of property shows signs of dry-rot at siding and trim" [R.26-2487.2]; B45 8.96.110 (L), "Added square footage at detached garage to be permitted" [R.26-2487.2]; E02 8.100.590, Exposed Conductors [R.26-2487.2]; E03 8.100.590, Faulty Equipment or wiring [R.26-2487.2]; E06 8.100.500, "Extension cords are not approved for permanent wiring" [R.26-2487.2]; E08 8.100.500, "New washer and dryer at backyard not approved for use." [R.26-2487.2]; E11 8.96.110 (P), Electrical Hazard [R.26-2487.2]; P05 8.100.600, DWV System [R.26-2487.2]; P08 8.100.600, Gas Piping [R.26-2487.2]; P09 8.100.610, Gas Appliances [R.26-2487.2]. All twelve: Status Closed, Close Date 06/18/2026.
  2. August 21, 2025 — what the City wrote the conditions warranted. The inspector's entry for the compelled backyard inspection (Card 10, the inspection that first put him on the property) reads "Our main concern was the electrical that has been added and the way the service panel was left with no dead front. PBI Cosley let the owner know that the conditions at the property would normally cause power to be removed from the property. But due to the owners condition, he would not remove power from the dwelling" [M035] and ends "Pictures have been uploaded to documents." [M035] The service panel, the extension cords tied into its breakers, the added outlet and gas line, and the dry-rot in that entry are among the twelve rows the same report closes on 06/18/2026 (above); the 06/18/2026 entry ends "Case closed." [R.26-2487.2] The entry is also the May file's one record of the detached garage entered: "We went in to the detached garage" [M035].
  3. November 25, 2025 – January 21, 2026 — the permit's scope, and the inspections the inspector wrote it needed. The permit the owner pulled carries the scope the inspector supplied (Card 35, the inspector-supplied scope): "Remove all Illegal construction in/at garage includes electrical and plumbing. Minor Dry rot and Siding Repair, Like for Like, Minor Rough Plumbing Install and repair. Other Minor Non-Structural, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Repairs(Plans not required)." [M010] The service panel is not in it. On 01/21/2026, asked by the owner's attorney for "the list that you prepared and went over when we met at the property" [M038], the inspector wrote what he would need to see: "Garage- I need to check in the garage that all electrical outlets and switches have the cover plates on them. I need to verify all the extension cords used as permanent wiring are removed. Where the Square footage was added to the garage, I will need to see the framing first, then the paper installed, then the siding (This will be 3 inspections). Main house- I need to see the electrical service panel." [M038] The permit's inspection history (Card 38, the closing permit's one line) records one line, siding, 04/02/2026 [R.26-2487.4]; the May file records no later entry into the garage and no entry at the service panel.
  4. June 2 – 4, 2026 — the permit for the work expired, for no requested inspections in 60+ days. "60 days since last inspection. Cancel permit?" [R.26-2487.2] (06/02); "Permit RES-2603471 was requested expired by BI/CM Paul Lovato due to no requested inspections for 60+ days." [R.26-2487.2] (06/04). That permit's inspection history [R.26-2487.4]: Housing-Minor / No Plans, "Current Status: Expired Permit" [R.26-2487.4], one line, 04/02/2026, siding, approved (Card 38).
  5. June 17, 2026 — a new permit, at the counter. PERMIT ISSUED, Counter Staff: "New permit required to clear up expired permit RES-2603471 (Expired)" [R.26-2487.2], with "Carbon monoxide & Smoke alarms required." [R.26-2487.2] — the same scope the inspector had written for the first permit in February (Card 35).
  6. June 18, 2026 — the final, the six minutes, the closure. "Arrived onsite for 29 Bldg FINAL inspection on permit RES-2612571 and approved. Case closed." [R.26-2487.2] A second entry the same day, RE-INSPECTION: "60 days since permit issued. Send 10 day permit to expire? Send 25th admin penalty / Monitoring fee. RES-2612571 (180 days shows 12/13/26)" [R.26-2487.2]. The cameras (seven clips, five cameras [V7.2]): the badged man on the front walk from the "SACRAMENTO" pickup, 12:02:23 [P27]; two men in the covered side yard, one with a badge on a lanyard, 12:03:43 [P10]; the backyard patio, where he stays from 12:03:45 to 12:09:04 [P28]; at 12:08:03, on the backyard camera's audio, "there's stuff like that's still minor stuff that has to be done" [V7.3] (the speaker identified as the inspector [V7.3.T]); out alone through the side yard at 12:09:10 [P11] (V7 audio [V7.T]); at the pickup's door by 12:09:33; the pickup gone at 12:13:36 [V7.2]. The File Summary Report of 06/23/2026: "Status: Closed", "Close Date: 06/18/2026", "Type: Work Without Permit", "Disposition: Work Completed" [R.26-2487.2]. The order of April 12, 2023 had given "all required permits for repair shall be secured and the work physically commenced within 30 days from the date of this Order" [M124] and "completed within 60 days" [M124]; from that order to this closure is 1,163 days.
  7. June 23 – August 18, 2026 — what the City released when asked for the inspection, and the request by date. Request 26-2487 [R.26-2487.5] asked for "the most recent inspection report, and all completed inspection reports" [R.26-2487.5] and, "no completed inspection report exists for any item above, please state so expressly for that item" [R.26-2487.5]. The City released "Case #23-009185 Summary_Redacted.pdf" [R.26-2487.5], "Case #23-009185 05.17-06.23.2026.pdf" [R.26-2487.5] and "Permit #RES-2603471 Inspection History.pdf" [R.26-2487.5], added "Additionally, please see your previous request, Request 26-1965, for Code Case #23-009185 from it's inception to 05/17/2026." [R.26-2487.5], and closed it "All responsive records have been provided" [R.26-2487.5] — no history for RES-2612571, no express statement. The same morning it closed the request for the complete current case file [R.26-2488.1] and the request for the case-specific Accela inspection records [R.26-2489.1] as duplicates (Card 4). On August 18, 2026, Request 26-3395 [R.26-3395.1] asked by date for "The completed inspection report, final inspection record, compliance verification, or sign-off for the inspection or site visit conducted at 4880 T Street on June 18, 2026" [R.26-3395.1] and for "The record relied upon to enter the disposition" [R.26-3395.1]. Five more requests received the same day asked, one subject each, who was on site [R.26-3396.1], who entered the closure and from which account [R.26-3398.1], which cited violations were determined corrected and on what basis [R.26-3399.1], whether the gas, plumbing, electrical, interior structural and siding items were ever inspected [R.26-3400.1], and for the June 18 photographs in native form with their metadata, or the record of their deletion [R.26-3397.1].
  8. August 28, 2026 — the City's answer: four finals, "No comment available". At 11:36am the City released three files on Request 26-3395 [R.26-3395.2] — "Inspection History RES-2612571.pdf" [R.26-3395.2], "Case #23-009185 06.23-08.18.2026.pdf" [R.26-3395.2], "23-009185 Case Summary 08.18.2026_Redacted.pdf" [R.26-3395.2] — and at 11:37am closed it: "All responsive records have been provided." [R.26-3395.2] The Inspection History [R.26-3395.3] for RES-2612571, printed 08/18/2026, "Current Status: Finaled" [R.26-3395.3], holds five lines, all 06/18/2026: "29 Bldg FINAL" [R.26-3395.3], "39 Mech FINAL" [R.26-3395.3], "59 Plmg FINAL" [R.26-3395.3], "79 Elect FINAL" [R.26-3395.3], each "Approved" [R.26-3395.3], "Paul Lovato" [R.26-3395.3], "No comment available" [R.26-3395.3]; and "84 Bldg-Siding In Prog" [R.26-3395.3], "Cancel" [R.26-3395.3], "Wrong inspection called in for." [R.26-3395.3] The File Summary Report of 08/18/2026 [R.26-3395.5] carries the twelve rows closed 06/18/2026 as before, a 07/20/2026 entry — "All fees are paid, waived or lien." [R.26-3395.5] — and a DOCUMENTS index whose last photograph is "IMG_1166 (1).jpeg" [R.26-3395.5], dated 03/04/2026 [R.26-3395.5]. Between 11:38am and 11:42am the City closed Request 26-3396 [R.26-3396.1], Request 26-3398 [R.26-3398.1], Request 26-3399 [R.26-3399.1] and Request 26-3400 [R.26-3400.1] with one sentence each — "The record(s) you are seeking have already been released to the public as part of a prior City of Sacramento public records request" [R.26-3396.1] — and a pointer to 26-3395. Request 26-3397 [R.26-3397.1], for the photographs, drew one file, "Record Retention Schedule.pdf" [R.26-3397.1] (excerpt [R.26-3397.2]), and "All responsive records have been provided." [R.26-3397.1]; Request 26-3406 [R.26-3406.1], for the retention schedule, was closed to 26-3397 with "Please note that the requested records are not beyond retention." [R.26-3406.1] The City's permit system, captured August 29, 2026 (PP1), numbers the five entries of that morning: the siding call 20278499 [PP1]; the four finals 20282043 [PP1] to 20282046, consecutive, entered after it, each "Result by: PL on 06/18/2026" [PP1].

FULL CIRCLE

The City's first available answer is that the 06/18/2026 entry is the inspection: a 29 Bldg FINAL approved on RES-2612571, recorded the way the permit system records a final; a Housing-Minor / No Plans permit issued at the counter to clear an expired permit takes a single final, with separate electrical, plumbing or gas lines and a narrative report not required; and the case disposition follows the approved final.

The card takes that answer as given and asks for the record. The entry records an approval, not what was inspected. The permit it was approved on was one day old, and nothing on it had yet been inspected; the permit the work was actually done under had been expired by the City two weeks earlier because no inspections had been requested for 60+ days [R.26-2487.2]; the visit was six minutes [P10], the inspector recorded four minutes in saying there is "still minor stuff that has to be done" [V7.3.T]; and the ten described conditions the same report closes that day — a service panel with its dead front removed, exposed conductors, an added gas line, a shower's water piping — match nothing in the expired permit's one line [R.26-2487.4], and the inspection history the City produced for RES-2612571 on August 28, 2026 records four finals with "No comment available" [R.26-3395.3] on each. The conditions it closed are the ones its own inspector wrote on 08/21/2025 "would normally cause power to be removed from the property" [M035], and the inspections he wrote on 01/21/2026 that the permit needed — the garage, three times for the addition alone, and the service panel [M038] — appear nowhere in either inspection history — one line, siding [R.26-2487.4]; four finals, no comment [R.26-3395.3]. The City's own second entry that day asks whether to send a ten-day notice to expire the permit it had issued the day before. Whether one final is enough for that permit is the City's call; which record shows what that final inspected is the question. Asked for it by date, the City answered on August 28, 2026 with the four "No comment available" [R.26-3395.3] lines and closed the request: "All responsive records have been provided." [R.26-3395.2]

The City's second available answer is that Request 26-2487 named no permit, so the inspection history for RES-2612571 was not requested.

The request asked for "all completed inspection reports" [R.26-2487.5] for the case and for an express statement if none existed; the City answered with the expired permit's one line and a pointer to a production that ends 05/17/2026, and closed. Request 26-3395 [R.26-3395.1] then asked by date for the June 18 record and the record relied upon for "Work Completed"; the answer is the report above [R.26-3395.3], and the four requests for who was on site, who closed the case, which violations were corrected and what was ever inspected were each closed to it as "already been released" [R.26-3398.1].

What would defeat this card is an inspection record for 06/18/2026 on RES-2612571 stating what was inspected — the twelve violations, or the permit's scope — with the inspector's comment. The August 28, 2026 production under Request 26-3395 [R.26-3395.2], closed with "All responsive records have been provided." [R.26-3395.2], carries "No comment available" [R.26-3395.3] on each of the four finals; the June 23, 2026 production under Request 26-2487 (R.26-2487.5) carries none, and the file the City closed with "All responsive records have been provided." [R.26-1965.1] ends on 05/17/2026, before any of it. Card 4 is the completeness baseline (what the file the City produced means, and does not mean).

On August 29, 2026 Request 26-3617 [R.26-3617.1] asked for the request and result records behind the five 06/18/2026 entries — who called each in, when each result was entered, by whom, and every comment field — and Request 26-3618 [R.26-3618.1] for Every photograph taken at 4880 T Street on 06/18/2026 by any City employee [R.26-3618.1], from any City or personal device, or the statement that none was taken.

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