Health Order requirements differ for small, large construction sites
As construction sites that use COVID-19 safeguards resume, the City of Berkeley has created online processes to allow people to apply for and receive permits, submit documents and revisions and schedule inspections.
The new order mandates different requirements depending on whether the site is considered small or large. Large Construction Site requirements apply to:
- Residential projects of more than 10 units
- Commercial projects of more than 20,000 square feet of floor area
- Essential infrastructure, as defined in the order, that requires five or more workers at any time.
Small sites generally include all else.
Failure to comply may lead to one or more workers getting sick from COVID-19, a virus for which there is neither vaccine nor medical treatment. An outbreak could threaten a project's ability to have healthy workers on site.
Both small and large construction sites will have to comply with federal, state and Health Order protocols, always following whichever standard is stricter
Small Construction Sites
Unless you are working on your own home alone or with others in your household, there are specific requirements for small sites. Those sites are defined as:
- Any single-family, multi-family, senior, student, or other residential construction, renovation, or remodel project consisting of 10 units or less.
- Commercial projects of less than 20,000 square feet.
- Mixed-use projects that meet both of the above categories.
The new Order requires small sites to have a designated onsite COVID-19 supervisor, daily screening protocol for staff, practices that keep workers six feet apart at all times, sealed off areas in residential projects, and more.
You can read all of the Health Order's small construction site protocols online
Large Construction Sites
These projects have specific requirements, including a COVID-19 plan that's translated for all non-English speakers, construction-specific protective equipment that workers are trained on and prohibited from sharing.
These sites are also required to implement:
- social distancing requirements
- cleaning and sanitation practices,
- spread reduction plans
- assignment of a COVID-19 Safety Compliance Officer
All of the Health Order's large construction site protocols are also posted online.
Inspections
City inspectors will not inspect construction unless COVID-19 protocols are in place, such as posted safety notices and use of PPE.
Building inspections can be scheduled online or by calling 510-981-7440 during normal business hours. Inspections will be performed using Remote Video Inspection (RVI) technology, so the person scheduling the inspection must provide a camera-capable cell phone number for a person who will be at the job site for the inspection.
The City will not schedule in-person inspections at the present time, except in very limited circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Please see the most current information about scheduling building inspections here.
Schedule Fire inspections by calling (510) 981-5585. Schedule Public Works inspections by calling (510) 981-6400.
Online Services
All permitting services are now available online. Go online to apply for building permits, submit plans and revisions, and review plans. You can also get permits and applications and pay any fees online.
Please see our guides to accessing remotely accessing Building and Safety services and remotely accessing Land Use services.
Any violations or failure to comply with the Order are misdemeanors punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. Complaints about unsafe practices should be called in to the Berkeley Police non-emergency number, at (510) 981-5900.
