Inspection Types

The Office of Building Inspections performs the following inspections:

  • Building
  • Mechanical
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing

All inspection requests received prior to 8:30 am will be done that day. This includes inspection requests left on our voicemail.

We will make every effort to announce our presence to an occupied building. It is the responsibility of the applicant(s) to provide safe access to the property being inspected and to notify any person(s) or parties who may be in the occupied building during the inspection.

You must have the permit number and job address to request an inspection. Only the permit holder may request an inspection.

Inspection Types & Sequence

The list of inspections shown is a typical construction order. If there is a question about what inspection should be done at what time, please contact the Office of Community Development.

Inspection TypeDescription / When PerformedType Inspector
Temporary ElectricFor temporary power while buildings are builtElectrical Inspector
FootingAfter installation of reinforcement and before placement of concreteBuilding Inspector
FoundationAfter installation of concrete forms, reinforcement.Prior to placement of concreteBuilding Inspector
Plumbing GroundworkAfter installation of below-slab plumbing piping and prior to covering with slab base materialPlumbing Inspector
Electrical GroundworkAfter installation of below-slab conduit and conductors in trenches or in slab base material and prior to covering with slab base materialElectrical Inspector
SlabAfter approval of all sub-trade ground work and after installation of reinforcement, vapor barrier and insulation.Before placement of concreteBuilding Inspector
Electrical Rough-InPrior to concealmentElectrical Inspector
Mechanical Rough-InAfter installation of air handling duct, gas line testing (if applicable) and prior to concealmentMechanical Inspector
Plumbing Rough-inPrior to concealment.Note:No air test allowed on plastic piping per Section 312.5 of the VA Plumbing CodePlumbing Inspector
Electrical Above-Ceiling (Commercial Primarily)After installation of ceiling grid and prior to installation of ceiling tilesElectrical Inspector
Framing Above-Ceiling (Commercial Primarily)To check fire walls/barriers, etc.After installation of ceiling grid and prior to installation of ceiling tilesBuilding Inspector
Water LinePrior to backfilling trench, inspection from meter to building entry.Line must have tracer wirePlumbing Inspector
Sewer LinePrior to backfilling trench, inspection from main line to building exit.Line must have tracer wirePlumbing Inspector
FramingAfter approval of the electrical, plumbing, mechanical rough-insBuilding Inspector
InsulationAfter approval of all trade rough-ins and framing inspectionsBuilding Inspector
Backflow DeviceAfter installation of backflow prevention devices and third-party inspectionPlumbing Inspector
Air barrierAfter installation of all air barrier componentsBuilding Inspector
Electrical FinalAfter completion of electrical system and prior to final building inspectionElectrical Inspector
Mechanical FinalAfter complete installation of mechanical equipment and prior to final building inspectionMechanical Inspector
Plumbing FinalAfter complete installation of plumbing equipment and prior to final building inspectionPlumbing Inspector
Building FinalAfter approval of the electrical, plumbing, mechanical and all other necessary inspectionsBuilding Inspector