(a) The department may approve an application prior to facilities being built, inspected and approved. The department shall not issue a restricted species permit until a determination that an applicant meets the qualifications to obtain a permit is verified, and the applicant's facility(ies) have been inspected by the department and the department determines that the applicant's facility(ies) meets the minimum standards for humane care, treatment, and housing of wild animals.

(b) The applicant for a restricted species permit shall submit payment of the inspection fee to the department, as specified in Section 703, for the inspection of the applicant's caging or holding facility(ies) and animal(s) each permit year.

(c) Every applicant shall submit to the department with the inspection fee, a current map of all enclosures housing restricted species in California listed on their inventory. Each enclosure shall be numbered both on the map and physically on the enclosure. The number on the enclosure should be a minimum of two inches high, permanently attached, and clearly visible for ease of identification. The map shall also include identification of the species residing in the enclosure and the dimensions (Length x Width x Height) of the enclosure for ease of identification. An enclosure is defined as the structure where a restricted species is confined. If a structure or enclosure is divided into more than one confined area, each area is considered a separate enclosure and shall be shown as a separate enclosure on the map. If an enclosure houses more than one species that co-exist, and is not divided, it shall be considered one enclosure.

(d) The department's law enforcement staff may enter any place including, but not limited to, any holding facility, vehicle or vessel, where restricted species are kept or may be kept, to: inspect animals, facilities or animal equipment; inspect, audit, or copy any permit, book or record required to be kept for such species; or to otherwise monitor or enforce compliance with state and federal statutes, and regulations adopted pursuant to state and federal statutes, related to restricted species. Inspections may be made at any time with or without prior notification.

(e) Types of Inspections.

(f) Re-inspection. If the department identifies a non-compliant item or violation during an inspection, as described in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), the department may require that the applicant/permittee provide for one or more additional inspections within a specified time period at the applicant/permittee's expense prior to issuing a permit or permit amendment.

(g) Research Entities as Eligible Local Entities. Applicants for research permits shall submit the annual research-detrimental species fee and the ELE/MOU fee to the department as specified in Section 703, and the department may enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the applicant as an eligible local entity (ELE) to inspect facilities. With annual renewal and the annual ELE/MOU renewal fee paid, an MOU may be valid for up to five permit years, at which time, a new MOU will be required. Until the department enters into an MOU, a research facility shall submit an annual statement from a USDA accredited veterinarian certifying that the animals and their housing have been inspected at least twice during the year, at six month intervals, and that the animals are being cared for and housed in accordance with applicable requirements in subsections 671.1(a)(8)(A)-(F), and sections 671.2 through 671.4 to satisfy the inspection requirement.