17 Sep What Is a CASp Inspection — and Why It Matters for Your Commercial Project
At Hayne Architects, we believe that great design isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about creating spaces that are functional, safe, and accessible for everyone.
On our current Claremont Club Family Locker Room project, we’ve incorporated something new into our project flow: a CASp inspection. While CASp has been around for some time, the City of Claremont recently began requiring all commercial projects to submit a CASp inspection report before granting building final. This shift has made CASp compliance an important step for many property owners, developers, and design teams.
What Is a CASp Inspection?
CASp stands for Certified Access Specialist. This is a professional, certified by the State of California, who is trained and qualified to evaluate a building’s compliance with state and federal accessibility standards — including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Building Code accessibility requirements.
A CASp inspection involves a thorough review of a building’s accessible features, such as:
Path of travel (sidewalks, ramps, doorways, etc.)
Restroom layouts and fixtures
Signage and Wayfinding
Accessible seating, counters and lockers
Parking and entry points
The goal is to ensure the built environment is usable by all individuals, including those with disabilities.
When Is a CASp Inspection Required or Recommended?
While CASp inspections are not always required statewide, certain jurisdictions — like the City of Claremont — now mandate them for all commercial projects prior to final inspection.
Even in cities where CASp is optional, it is often recommended:
Before new construction or remodels — to identify potential accessibility issues early.
When purchasing or leasing a commercial property — to understand existing compliance and plan for any required upgrades.
Proactively — to reduce the risk of ADA-related lawsuits and ensure your property is inclusive.
Why the City of Claremont’s Requirement Matters
By requiring a CASp report before building final, the City of Claremont is aiming to ensure accessibility compliance from the very beginning — not after the fact. For design teams like ours, this means integrating accessibility verification into our project timelines earlier, coordinating with CASp professionals before punch list completion, and ensuring any adjustments are made before final occupancy.
How Hayne Architects Handles CASp in the Design Process
When CASp becomes part of the project workflow, our role is to:
Coordinate with a Certified Access Specialist early to review plans and details.
Walk the site during construction to verify accessibility features are installed as designed.
Address any CASp report findings promptly so the project stays on track for building final.
The outcome? A finished project that is not only beautiful and functional but also meets the highest standards of accessibility and inclusivity.
In summary: CASp inspections are becoming a more common step in California commercial projects, and they’re an important part of creating spaces that truly welcome everyone. At Hayne Architects, we view this as an opportunity to enhance our designs and ensure every project meets both code and community expectations.
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