In 2006, DPD approved over 35,000 land use and construction-related permits and performed 116,000 on-site inspections.

Our team of over 50 construction inspectors visits all construction sites within the city to ensure compliance with building, energy, mechanical, environmental, drainage, erosion control, side sewer, electrical, elevator, boiler, refrigeration, sign and housing/zoning standards.

Required Points of Inspection
After your building permit is issued, a DPD inspector checks to make sure that your work is done according to code. As a permit holder, you must call to arrange for each inspection. Unless your building permit provides for additional or special inspections, there may be five required points of inspection:

1. At time of first ground disturbance (new erosion control requirement)
2. Prior to pouring of foundation
3. Prior to covering framing
4. After insulation is installed
5. After construction is complete

Plumbing, electrical, side sewer work, and water service lines require separate inspections. After the final inspection, DPD will grant approval to occupy or, in the case of projects other than single family homes and duplexes, issue a Certificate of Occupancy.

Checking the Status of Your Inspection
You can view the status of your permit application or inspection online anytime by using our "Permit Status" tool at right under "Online Services." (A link to the tool is also available on the DPD homepage and on the Permit homepage.)

Special Inspections
The purpose of DPD’s Special Inspection Program is to monitor and test materials and workmanship of structural systems that are critical to the integrity of the building structure.Special Inspections, along with Structural Observations, are in addition to the inspections performed by Seattle Building Inspectors. 

Questions?
Check the "Inspections" portion of our Frequently Asked Questions website.