Description: A button that isn't there, a form you can't type in, or "Access denied" — how to work out which of the three causes it is.
Overview
Sooner or later ComplianceGo shows you something you can't change, or doesn't show you something you expected.
It usually isn't a fault. There are only three reasons, and once you know which one you're looking at, the fix is obvious.
Reason | Looks like |
Who you are — your role, or whether a record is yours | A read-only form, a missing button, or Access denied |
What state the record is in — completed, expired, closed | A form you can read but not type in |
What's switched on for your organization | A whole feature or report simply absent |
An Inspection You Can Read but Not Fill In
This is the most common one, and the only case where ComplianceGo tells you outright. You'll see a banner at the top:
"This inspection is being completed by [name] and is being displayed read-only."
"This inspection has been completed by [name] and is being displayed read-only."
"This inspection is under revision and is being displayed read-only."
📝 Holding the Inspector role is not enough — the inspection has to be yours. ComplianceGo checks that you are the person recorded as that inspection's inspector. Whoever starts an inspection owns it until it's finished, and nobody else can add to it, not even an Editor.
What you can do about it:
Situation | What to do |
They're mid-inspection | Wait. It's theirs until they finish. |
They started it by mistake, or can't finish it | An Inspector, Backup Inspector or Editor can clear it — see below. |
It's completed and you need a change | It has to be reopened for revision, not edited in place. |
You just need to add a finding | Open it on your own inspection instead. |
Clearing an inspection somebody else started. If you hold a role that allows inspecting on that site — Inspector, Backup Inspector or Editor — open the inspection and use Delete Inspection. Confirm with Delete, or back out with Never mind.
⚠️ Delete Inspection destroys whatever the first person entered, and it cannot be undone. ComplianceGo warns you that "Deleting this inspection will remove all information associated with it" and that "This action cannot be undone." If the inspection was under Due before it was started, the occurrence returns there so the right person can start fresh — but the answers, photos and notes the first inspector recorded are gone for good. Check they don't need that work before you confirm.
💡 A quick way to tell whether an inspection is yours: the button at the bottom reads Finish Later on your own inspection and Back on someone else's.
Action Items You Can't Edit
Action items belong to an inspection, so they inherit its read-only state. If the parent inspection is read-only to you, so is everything on it — including the + Add Action Item button, which won't appear at all.
Closing an action item is separate and more permissive: you only need a role on the site, not ownership of the inspection.
Options That Aren't There at All
Some things are missing rather than grayed out. That means the feature isn't switched on for your organization, or the option doesn't apply.
Missing | Why |
Verify on a closed action item | You need the Editor role on the site and verification switched on for your organization. Inspectors can't verify. |
Reopen on a closed action item | Reopening must be switched on for your organization. |
+ Add Action Item in an inspection | Either the inspection isn't yours, or the form has Show Add Action Item Button (main button) switched off. |
Municipal Code Violated on an action item | MS4 organizations only. |
Restrict Editing to MS4 on a permit | Only appears on sites shared with an MS4. If the site header says MS4: None, there's nothing to restrict. |
Site Hourly Precipitation Report or 7 Day Forecast Archive | Both are feature-gated. Other sites in your organization may show them. |
Add File on an action item, or an image question on an inspection | Your organization can have photo uploads switched off. |
📝 Missing is not the same as broken. A colleague seeing an option you don't is normal — features are enabled per organization, and some options depend on the individual site.
Site Notes You Can't Edit
A site note opens as plain text with no Save button unless you hold Editor, Inspector or Backup Inspector on that site. Viewers can read notes but not change them.
Documents You Can't Edit
If you hold an inspector role, you can only edit documents you uploaded yourself. Someone else's document is read-only to you, even on a site you inspect regularly.
Editors can edit any document on the site.
"Access denied"
A full-page message reading "Access denied. If you feel this is a mistake please make sure you are logged in or contact support" means the page needs a role you don't hold.
The usual cause is an organization-level page — organization settings, the form builder, organization reports, organization People & Roles. Those need Org Editor. A Site Editor can do everything on a site and nothing above it.
📝 Site roles don't add up to organization access. Being an Editor on every site in your organization still doesn't get you into organization settings. See Organization Roles vs Site Roles.
Working Out Which One You've Got
Is there a banner? Then it's a read-only inspection — check whether it's yours.
Is the control absent entirely, or visible but grayed out? Something hidden by your role is hidden completely. Plenty of other things stay visible and simply can't be used — grayed out usually points at the state of the record.
Is it a whole page saying Access denied? That's organization-level access.
Can a colleague do it on the same record? Then it's about you — your role, or whether the record is yours.
Can you do it on a different site? Then it's about that site — its MS4 status, its category, or its forms.
FAQ
Q: An inspection is read-only and the banner names someone else.
A: It's their inspection until they finish it — ownership, not your role, is what decides this. Wait for them, or have someone who can edit the site use Delete Inspection to release the occurrence.
Q: I'm an Editor but still can't fill in an inspection.
A: Editor rights don't override inspection ownership. ComplianceGo requires that you are the recorded inspector. Start your own inspection, or delete theirs to free the occurrence.
Q: There's no Add Action Item button.
A: Either the inspection isn't yours — check for the read-only banner first — or the form has Show Add Action Item Button (main button) switched off.
Q: A completed inspection won't let me change an answer.
A: Completed inspections are locked. Reopen it for revision, which moves it to Under Revision, then make the change.
Q: Verify isn't offered on a closed action item.
A: You're not an Editor on that site, or verification isn't switched on for your organization. Verifying requires the Editor role; an Inspector role doesn't carry it.
Q: A report my colleague has is missing for me.
A: It's feature-gated for your organization, or for that particular site. Ask your administrator.
Q: A site note is read-only for me.
A: You hold a Viewer role on that site. Editing needs Editor, Inspector or Backup Inspector.
Q: I can't edit a document I didn't upload.
A: Inspectors can only edit their own documents. Ask an editor on the site, who can edit any of them.
Q: I get Access denied on a settings page.
A: The page is organization-level and needs Org Editor. Ask an Org Editor in your organization — site roles won't get you there however many you hold.
Related articles
Understanding Inspection Statuses
Organization Roles vs Site Roles
Creating an Action Item
Closing, Verifying, and Reopening an Action Item