I guess I've been pretty lucky in my last several warehouse grows. I have never had a problem with having to deal with an inspection.
My current location is, by far, the best yet. I know of at least 3 other grow ops in our complex. My source for the original plants has been operating a 40 light flip here for over 3 years without an inspection. My guess is that it depends on the landlord. I can see if there was some hyper-vigilant property manager in charge, things could become a problem. But, believe me, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of warehouse ops in California. 99% of these could not endure a fire inspection without some major problems. Yet, they operate year after year.
I have spoken with several (10 or 11) of my neighbors on the fire inspection issue. I have concluded that, in my complex, the businesses that that applied for a business license in that address were contacted by the fire department to schedule an inspection. The businesses that either did not get a license, or got the license in a different address were not contacted.
The fire marshall does drive around and do random inspections. That is how many of my neighbors who did not get local business licenses got inspected. A few have never been inspected at all.
I should also note that one neighbor moved in 2001, was contacted for an inspection in 2005, and hasn't heard from them since. He is always there with the door wide open. My next door neighbor lives in his unit (a big no no), and has been avoiding any suprise inspections for 7 years by just keeping a low profile Mon-Fri during business hours.
As far as being legal. Yes...we are legal. BUT, I will not let an inspection happen. If it came down to it, I'd load em up in moving vans and break down the room for the inspection. VERY few grow rooms would pass an inspection. Unless you go through the trouble to fire sprinkler the room, pull a permit for the electrical, have a licensed electrical contractor install the electrical, and some other shit that I have forgot about, your room won't pass. Also, count on law enforcement being contacted. NOBODY in their right mind will endure this if it's, in any way, avoidable. The legal landscape just isn't quite there yet. In my county, they like to confiscate the gear and tell you that if you go away, they won't file charges. Would we win in a trial? Absolutely. Could we sue and get our gear back with damages? Most likely. Would we go through all that? Nope. And they know it.
Bottom line on this op: Please don't worry about us. This isn't my first rodeo, and I've done my homework on this location. There is still risk in medical marijuana. Hopefully some day...
Bottom line on your grow ops: Do your homework on the location. If an annual inspection is part of the deal, go somewhere else. Newer complexes in upscale neighborhoods should be stayed away from. Huge complexes are also bad. Talk to the neighbors prior to moving in. Tell them you do some spraying once in a great while that california doesn't like. Most business owners will be on your side. Ask about inspections. Most business owners don't like them any more than you do.
As far as why not rent a house. One reason: The power isn't there. If it weren't for that, a house would be the way to go. The most I've ever run in a house is 6000 watts. That's less than a third of what we are doing now, and I'm thinking we'll be running closer to 24k by the end of the year. I like larger ops. We're hoping to be in the right position for when this thing gets truly legal and we can be loud and proud. I feel that anyone not already operating a medium-large op when this happens, will have a hard time catching up to the pack.
or you could custom make an tray too any who just trying to give you options.
