Navigating accessibility laws in California can be overwhelming for commercial real estate owners. A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) inspection is a formal audit conducted by a state-certified professional to evaluate whether a commercial facility complies with federal and state accessibility standards. Understanding what this audit entails, who is legally required to get one, and the exact step-by-step process is crucial for mitigating risks. For those managing exterior access like parking lots and ramps, knowing the expected casp inspection cost and how to fix ADA paving violations provides a clear roadmap to compliance.
What Is a CASp Inspection?
A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of a property’s physical accessibility elements against Chapter 11B of the California Building Code (CBC) and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Rather than a basic visual check, this audit uses high-precision instruments like digital levels to measure slopes, transition boundaries, and sign elevations. In parking lots, inspectors verify that accessible parking spaces and access aisles do not exceed a 2.0% (1:50) maximum slope in any direction. Passing this technical evaluation protects owners from costly litigation under the Unruh Civil Rights Act.
Who Needs a CASp Inspection in California and Why?
Any commercial property owner, facility manager, or commercial landlord in California operating a place of public accommodation should secure a CASp inspection. Under California Assembly Bill 2093 (Civil Code § 1938), commercial landlords are legally mandated to state in all lease agreements whether the premises have undergone a CASp audit.
The primary reason to get an inspection is legal defense under Senate Bill 1608. If a property receives an inspection report before an ADA lawsuit is filed, the owner is granted “Qualified Defendant” status. This provides an immediate 90-day stay of court proceedings and an Early Evaluation Conference, significantly reducing legal exposure from predatory accessibility claims.
The Step-by-Step CASp Inspection Process
Completing a CASp audit follows a specific sequence from initial assessment to final certification:
- Pre-Inspection Document Review: The inspector reviews the property’s scope, including the number of parking lots, entrances, and total square footage, to define the audit parameters.
- On-Site Physical Audit: The specialist visits the site to measure running slopes, cross-slopes, path of travel widths, vertical discontinuities (limited to a 1/4 inch drop), and truncated dome alignment on curb ramps.
- Report Generation: The auditor issues an official report designating the property as either “CASp Inspected” (fully compliant) or “CASp Determination Pending” (non-compliant items found).
- Remediation and Re-inspection: For “Determination Pending” reports, owners create a reasonable timeline to correct the barriers. Once the concrete or asphalt contractor fixes the slopes, the inspector re-verifies the work to grant the final compliance certificate.
CASp Inspection Cost: What Property Owners Can Expect
For many small to medium commercial properties in California, a standard casp inspection cost typically ranges between $800 and $2,000. Larger or more complex properties may cost more depending on the size of the facility. The final pricing varies based on several specific factors, including the square footage of the evaluation site, the number of restrooms on the property, and the size and complexity of the parking lot and exterior accessible routes. This initial investment often saves businesses thousands of dollars in potential settlement fees by securing Qualified Defendant status before a lawsuit occurs.
Correcting Exterior ADA Violations After the Audit
If your inspection reveals slope violations in your parking lot, standard sealcoating cannot correct sub-base depressions or structural failures that exceed the 2.0% CBC threshold. Professional paving crews aim for a tighter 1.5% cross-slope target when milling and replacing asphalt to ensure a technical buffer for natural asphalt compaction. By engaging experienced contractors for specialized asphalt grading and surface repair, property owners can efficiently move from a “Determination Pending” status to full ADA compliance.
If your CASp report shows exterior ADA non-compliance, We Love Paving‘s field operations team provides specialized grading, concrete, and commercial ADA paving services designed to resolve inspection findings and protect your investment.
