17.08.140 Inspections.
A. Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and the construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the building official. In addition, certain types of construction shall have continuous and/or special inspections as specified in IBC Chapter 17.
B. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of other ordinances shall not be valid.
C. It shall be the duty of the property owner, general contractor and the permit holder to maintain access for the required inspections. Work shall remain exposed for proper visual verification. Neither the building official nor the city shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to be removed to allow inspection. Where, in the opinion of the building official, the nature of the work is minor in nature and the inspection can be performed remotely via photographs, live video feed or recording, the building official may require or allow remote inspection.
D. Inspection record card and approved construction documents. Work requiring a permit shall not be commenced until the permit card and approved construction documents are made readily available for the building official or designee at the construction site.
E. Inspection scheduling. Required inspections shall be scheduled utilizing the city’s inspection scheduling system. The building official may require that inspections be scheduled at least three working days in advance of the inspection date. Scheduled inspections may be moved by the building official for good cause. The building official or designee shall notify the contractor or permit holder of the revised inspection date and time.
F. Inspection Results and Approval. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the building official.
1. Upon completion of the scheduled inspection, the building official or designee shall make the results of the inspection accessible to the contractor or permit holder.
2. Such notification of conditions not in compliance with code requirements shall be in writing in the form of a correction notice and shall specify the work that is not in conformance, identify the section of the code that the work does not comply with and shall set a time period for correction and request for reinspection. Failure to correct the noncompliant condition and request reinspection within the time period noted in the correction notice will be considered a violation and will be subject to enforcement under VMC Title 22.
3. Any portions of construction which do not comply with code requirements shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until reinspected and approved by the building official or designee.
4. There shall be a final inspection and approval of all and any buildings, structures, appurtenances and building service equipment when completed and ready for occupancy or use.
G. Preliminary inspection. Before issuing a permit, the building official is authorized to examine or cause to be examined buildings, structures and site for which an application has been filed.
H. Required inspections. Inspections are required as determined necessary by the building official in order to verify compliance with the applicable codes. The building official shall perform the required inspection upon notification that the work performed is ready for inspection and/or scheduling of the inspection. The required inspections may include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Erosion control. Erosion control mitigation measure requirements shall be installed, inspected and approved before proceeding with any other site or construction work. Erosion control measures must be maintained until the project is completed and will be verified at all subsequent inspections.
2. Setback, footing and foundation inspections. Setback, footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspections. Materials for foundation shall be on the job except where concrete is ready mixed in accordance with ACI 38, the concrete need not be on the job. No concrete shall be placed prior to inspection approval.
3. Concrete slab and under floor inspection. Concrete slab inspections shall be made after in-slab reinforcing steel and building services, equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place but before any concrete is in place.
4. Under floor inspection. Under floor inspection shall be made before any floor-deck or floor-sheathing is installed. Under floor inspection includes, but is not limited to, post, beam, joists, low point drains and radon piping.
5. Stormwater systems. Stormwater inspections shall be made to determine compliance with approved construction plans and applicable codes including LID standards.
6. Frame inspection. Framing inspections shall be made after the floor deck or sheathing, all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place, and after pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete, and after the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are inspected and approved.
7. Gypsum board inspection. Gypsum board inspections when part of a required fire-rated assembly or part of a structural framing system (shear/lateral bracing) shall be made after lathing and gypsum board, interior and/or exterior, is in place, but before any plastering is applied or gypsum board joints and fasteners are taped and finished. In multiple layer systems, the fastening of each layer must be inspected before the application of the next layer.
8. Fire-resistive penetrations. Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistive-rated assemblies shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved.
9. Energy efficiency inspections. Inspections shall be made to determine compliance with the Washington State Energy Code and shall include, but shall not be limited to, inspection for envelope insulation R and U values, fenestration U value, duct system R value, HVAC, water heating equipment efficiency,installation methods, weather sealing and similar energy related items. No interior finish that would conceal the energy efficiency component shall be applied prior to energy efficiency inspection and approval.
I. Building service equipment inspections. Building service equipment for which a permit is required by this code shall be inspected.
1. Building service equipment includes, but is not limited to, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, private storm water facility, and fire sprinkler and fire alarm system installations.
Exception: Rough tub/shower inspection not required when a manufactured tub and/or shower unit is installed.
2. Building service equipment intended to be concealed by a permanent portion of the building shall not be concealed until inspected and approved.
3. When the installation of building service equipment is complete final inspection shall be made.
4. Building service equipment regulated by the technical codes shall not be connected to the water, fuel or power supply or sewer system until authorized by the building official.
J. Barrier free accessibility inspection. Inspection shall be made of required barrier free accessibility features as part of any other required inspection including final inspection.
K. Zoning inspection. Inspections are required for all signs, parking lots, landscaping, wetland delineation, critical areas delineation, tree preservation protection and other features regulated and required as part of a land use approval under VMC Title 20 and noted on the approved plans and/or permit.
L. Other inspections. In addition to the inspections specified in this section, the building official is authorized to make or require other inspections, including third party inspections, of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws enforced by the city.
M. Special Inspection. Special inspection, as detailed in IBC Chapter 17, and the IRC when the design requirements of the International Building Code are required, shall be performed by agencies as defined in VMC 17.08.100(I).
N. Structural observation. Structural observation shall be made by the registered design professional as required in IBC Section 1709. Reports shall be submitted to the building official.
O. Floor elevation certification within flood prone areas. Upon placement of the lowest floor in flood hazard areas, including the basement, and prior to further vertical construction, the elevation certification required in the IBC or IRC shall be submitted to the building official.
P. Final inspection. Final inspection shall be made after all work required and/or authorized to be performed by the building permit, is completed. (Ord. M-4407 § 6, 2023; Ord. M-4165 § 5, 2016; Ord. M-4079 § 12, 2014; Ord. M-3958 § 15, 2010; Ord. M-3863 § 10, 2008; Ord. M-3660 § 4, 2004)