§ 18-72. Inspections.

(a)

Existing building inspections. Before issuing a permit the county building official may examine or cause to be examined any building, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems for which an application has been received for a permit to enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, install or change the occupancy. The county building official shall inspect all buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems, from time to time, during and upon completion of the work for which a permit was issued. The county building official shall make a record of every such examination and inspection and of all violations of the technical codes.

(b)

Manufacturers and fabricators. When deemed necessary by the county building official he shall make, or cause to be made, an inspection of materials or assemblies at the point of manufacture or fabrication. A record shall be made of every such examination and inspection and of all violations of the technical codes.

(c)

Inspection service. The county building official may make, or cause to be made, the inspections required by the third paragraph below. The county building official may accept reports of inspectors of recognized inspection services provided that after investigation he is satisfied as to their qualifications and reliability. A certificate called for by any provision of the technical codes shall not be based on such reports unless the certificates are in writing and certified by a responsible officer of such service.

(d)

Inspections prior to the issuance of certificate of occupancy or completion. The county building official shall inspect or cause to be inspected at various intervals all construction or work for which a permit is required, and a final inspection shall be made of every building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system upon completion, prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or completion. The county may charge a re-inspection fee separate and apart from the other fees collected for permits and inspections for those properties which fail an inspection of the building codes at the fault of the builder. Said schedule of fees for re-inspections will be published by the community development department and may be amended from time to time by the board of commissioners.

(e)

Posting of permit. Work requiring a permit shall not commence until the permit holder or his agent posts the permit card in a conspicuous place on the premises. The permit shall be protected from the weather and located in such a position as to permit the county building official or representative to conveniently make the required entries thereon. The permit card shall be maintained in such position by the permit holder until the certificate of occupancy or completion is issued by the county building official.

(f)

Required inspection. The county building official upon notification from the permit holder or his agent shall make the following inspections and such other inspections as necessary, and shall either release that portion of the construction or shall notify the permit holder or his agent of any violations which must be corrected in order to comply with the technical codes:

(1)

Building:

a.

Foundation inspection. To be made after trenches are excavated and forms erected.

b.

Frame inspection. To be made after the roof, all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place, and all concealing wiring, all pipes, chimneys, ducts and vents are complete.

c.

Final inspection. To be made after the building is completed and ready for occupancy.

(2)

Electrical:

a.

Underground inspection. To be made after trenches or ditches are excavated, conduit or cable installed, and before any backfill is put in place.

b.

Rough-in inspection. To be made after the roof, framing, fire blocking and bracing is in place and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.

c.

Final inspection. To be made after the building is complete, all required electrical fixtures are in place and property connected or protected, and the structure is ready for occupancy.

(3)

Plumbing:

a.

Underground inspection. To be made after trenches or ditches are excavated, piping installed, and before any backfill is put in place.

b.

Rough-in inspection. To be made after the roof, framing, fire blocking and bracing is in place and all soil, waste and vent piping is complete, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.

c.

Final inspection. To be made after the building is complete, all plumbing fixtures are in place and property connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy. Note: See section 417 of the Standard Plumbing Code for required tests.

(4)

Mechanical:

a.

Underground inspection. To be made after trenches or ditches are excavated, underground duct and fuel piping installed, and before any backfill is put in place.

b.

Rough-in inspection. To be made after the roof, framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and all ducting, and other concealed components are complete, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.

c.

Final inspection. To be made after the building is complete, the mechanical system is in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready of occupancy.

(5)

Gas:

a.

Rough piping inspection. To be made after all new piping authorized by the permit has been installed, and before any such piping has been covered or concealed or any fixtures or gas appliances have been connected.

b.

Final piping inspection. To be made after all piping authorized by the permit has been installed and after all portions which are to be concealed by plastering or otherwise have been so concealed, and before any fixtures or gas appliances have been connected. This inspection shall include a pressure test.

c.

Final inspection. To be made on all new gas work authorized by the permit and such portions of existing systems as may be affected by new work or any changes, to ensure compliance with all the requirements of this code and to ensure that the installation and construction of the gas system is in accordance with reviewed plans.

(6)

Energy:

a.

Foundation inspection. To be made before slab concrete is poured in place; and to verify that perimeter insulation has been installed correctly on any slab on grade foundations.

b.

Frame inspection. To be made before the exterior wall insulation is concealed by wallboard, to check installation of exterior wall insulation and to inspect that all holes and cracks through the structure envelope have been sealed in an appropriate manner as to restrict air passage.

c.

Final inspection. To be made after the building is completed and ready for occupancy. To verify installation and R-value of ceiling and floor insulation. To verify correct SEER ratings on appliances.

(g)

Written release. Work shall not be done on any part of a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining a written release from the county building official. Such written releases shall be given only after an inspection has been made of each successive step in the construction or installation as indicated by each of the foregoing three inspections.

(h)

Reinforcing steel and structural frames. Reinforcing steel or structural frame, insulation and plumbing work of any part of any building shall not be covered or concealed without first obtaining a release from the county building official.

(i)

Plaster fire protection. In all buildings where plaster is used for fire protection purposes, the permit holder or his agent shall notify the county building official after all lathing and backing is in place. Plaster shall not be applied until release from the county building official has been received.

(Res. No. 99-14, § 12, 2-9-1999; Res. No. 07-28, § 1, 6-26-2007)