Inspection Guidance

Construct to meet utility company standards and latest North Carolina edition of the National Electrical Code.

Request after zoning setbacks have been met, trenches are excavated, all grade stakes are installed, reinforcing steel and supports are in place and appropriately tied, all necessary forms are in place and braced, and before any concrete is placed.

Request after all foundation supports are installed and before backfilling. This inspection checks foundation supports footing projections, vents, ground clearances, foundation drainage, and foundation damp-proofing or waterproofing where required.

Note: The basement waterproofing installed should be left open for inspection. Waterproofing may be requested as an additional inspection or viewed with other building trade inspections.

After all forms have been placed, concealed electrical, plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning facilities inspected, all gravel, reinforcing steel with supports tied and/or all welded wire fabric is installed, as required, and before any concrete is placed.

Exceptions: Inspection is optional for non-habitable spaces: driveway slabs, garage slabs (without integral footings), carport slabs, porch slabs, walks, etc.

Request when all wiring, boxes, and panel boards have been installed and connections are made and ready for the finished product.

Request when all parts of the concealed plumbing system can be completed before fixtures are installed. This includes drainage, water supply, test, vent piping, and fixture supports.

Request when all boots, gas piping and tests, mechanical ventilation, concealed ducts, and gas log inserts have been installed.

Request after all applicable electrical, plumbing, and HVAC rough-in inspections have been approved, and all roof, wall, ceiling, and floor framing is complete, with appropriate blocking, bracing, and fire stopping in place, windows and doors set, and roof covered to provide a dried-in structure.

The following items should be in place and visible for inspection:

• Pipes, chimneys and vents, flashing for roofs, chimneys and wall openings, insulation, baffles, and all lintels required to be bolted to the framing for support shall not be covered by any exterior or interior wall or ceiling finish material before approval. Work may continue without approval for lintels not bolted and supported on masonry or concrete.

Request after an approved building framing inspection, with all concealed insulation and vapor barriers in place but before any wall or ceiling covering is applied.

Request when the wiring system and panels are complete.

Request when all plumbing systems are complete. The plumbing contractor may request water and sewer finals at or before the plumbing final. Water should be pressurized at the time of inspection.

Request when the mechanical system is complete, and all manufacturer’s instructions have been adhered to and all gas piping has been tested.

Request when all energy, life safety and structural elements are complete and landscaping drainage and address requirements are met. Seeding and mulching of any disturbed area is required.

In addition to the inspections above, the Inspection Department may make or require any other inspections to ascertain compliance with this Code and General Statutes or Ordinances enforced by the Inspection Department. (G.S. 153A-360, 160A-420). Additional trade inspections needed include electrical under a slab, electrical ditch, plumbing under a slab, and plumbing ditch.