City Controller audit finds L&I inspectors skipped license checks and let uncertified staff perform over 1,000 fire inspections

An August 21, 2025 performance audit by City Controller Christy Brady of the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), covering fiscal years 2023-2024, found inspectors did not request contractor licenses or verify worker employment status at any of 8 observed construction site visits, 13 of 40 residential permits reviewed lacked complete inspection records, 8 uncertified employees conducted more than 1,000 fire inspections, and 14 of 20 audited electrical inspections were performed or reviewed by a supervisor who was not properly certified. L&I Commissioner Basil Merenda and Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration said they had begun implementing corrective actions in response.