Will my septic system be inspected?

Yes. Your installation permit will contain a schedule of necessary inspections. At the appropriate stages of construction notify the Subsurface Sanitation staff. The staff will inspect your system and once the system is completed and approved, a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion and Final Inspection Report will be issued. Keep these documents. They are important in case of the need for future repair of the system.

Will my water quality be tested?

The county does not require that your water quality be tested. We do recommend such tests periodically to make sure your water is safe for consumption. Many banks and lending institutions presently require these tests before extending loans.

Are inspections required for manufactured dwellings?

Yes. Before occupancy, the stand, the support system, underground sewer and water lines, the sewer and water connections and the electrical feeder must be inspected. To request inspections contact the Building Program.

How many inspections are made for a dwelling?

A minimum of eleven (11) inspections are required.

• Foundation: Made after trenches are excavated, forms erected, steel placed, and BEFORE concrete is poured. UFER grounding electrode is generally tagged at this inspection, prior to pouring and should be scheduled with the foundation inspection. CMU foundation walls and masonry chimneys must also be scheduled once block is installed (general max lift height of 64”, see R606.3.5.1 for exceptions) and once all rebar is installed prior to grout being poured.


• Floodplain Certification: Not performed by building inspector. Please turn the completed and signed form into the Planner who has reviewed the Flood Plain permit.


• Underground Piping (Sanitary Sewer/Water Service): Made after all underground piping & tracer wire has been installed and prior to any backfill. Pipe must be on test for inspection. This also applies to underground gas piping.


• Underground and Service for Electrical (Separate Permit): Underground is scheduled once trench work is complete but prior to backfill. Service is scheduled once the meter, panel and any transfer switches are complete.


• Post and Beam/Underfloor Framing Inspection: Made after all underfloor crawl spaces girders and mudsill anchors are installed and service, mechanical equipment and gas lines, underfloor plumbing, electrical conduit, and other ancillary equipment items are in place but before any floor sheathing is installed.


• Underfloor Insulation: Made prior to covering the first-floor joists with decking, unless approved for cover by the Building Inspector.


• Exterior Shear: Made after the decking and subfloors are installed and the building’s exterior shear wall are ready for inspection. Nailing patterns and hold downs must remain exposed for inspection.


• Rough Electrical (separate permit): After all electrical wires are run and boxes are made up. Splices complete but before devices are installed. Building must be completely dried in prior to running any wire inside building. Note: rough electrical must be approved prior to scheduling framing.


• Rough Mechanical: Made after all ducting and gas piping has been installed and prior to being covered. This is typically scheduled along with framing.


• Rough Plumbing: Made after all plumbing rough-in is in place and system is on test prior to being covered. This is typically scheduled along with framing.


• Framing: Made after all framing, fire blocking, bracing and roof are in place and all pipes, chimneys and vents are completed and rough electrical, rough plumbing and rough mechanical inspections have been approved. If applicable interior shear walls should also be scheduled with framing (unless gypsum panels are used). Framing inspection will not take place until electrical rough has been approved.


• Insulation Wall and Ceiling: Made after all insulation and vapor barriers are in place, prior to covering.


• Interior Shear: Made after structural panel or gyp has been installed and fastening patterns/ hardware are ready for inspection, but before any covering, taping, plastering, or compounds are applied. Interior shear walls should be scheduled along with framing unless using gypsum board shear walls.


• Final Electrical: This is scheduled once all electrical work is complete and must be approved prior to scheduling final building.


• Final Mechanical: Made once all mechanical systems are complete and just prior to the structure or remodeled area being occupied and prior to operating any equipment.


• Final Septic (separate permit): When the subsurface construction is complete, the permit holder shall notify Land Management's Onsite Wastewater Sanitation Program by submitting the installation record form. A list will be generated for the specific inspections for the system type. All Sanitation inspections are completed prior to the final building inspection. Note, the septic inspections do not cover the sanitary sewer inspection.


• Final Plumbing: Made once all plumbing systems are complete and just prior to the structure or remodeled area being occupied. This occurs after all water service components and sanitary sewer connections have been inspected and approved.


• Final Building: Made once everything is complete and after finish grading and before the building, structure or remodeled area occupied. The electrical and septic permits must be approved prior to scheduling final building. Note, the final mechanical and final plumbing can be done together with final building.


• Other Inspections: The Building Official may require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with provisions of the code and other laws enforced by the code enforcement agency.

For more information about residential inspections, please read the Residential Commonly Missed Items handout.