After all required Pre-Application Site Visits (PASVs) are completed and a building permit is issued, a DPD inspector checks to make sure that work is done according to code. Customers with permits are responsible for arranging inspections.
If you need to revise your previously scheduled appointment time with your inspector, you may call the inspector assigned to your district (see district inspector map).
Types of Inspections
There are five types of inspections performed by the Site Development Team:
Required Points of Inspection
Unless a building permit provides for additional or special inspections, there may be five required points of inspection:
- At time of first ground disturbance
- Prior to pouring of foundation
- Prior to covering framing
- After insulation is installed
- After construction is complete
Plumbing, electrical, side sewer work and water service lines require separate inspections.
Further, the contractor must contact the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) at (206) 684-5044 for any temporary and/or permanent construction work/activity planned in the public right-of-way. It is highly recommended that the contractor call SDOT if there is any question that may require a SDOT permit and inspection.
First Ground Disturbance Inspection
DPD requires a site inspection prior to any ground disturbance related to a building and/or grading permit. This includes tree cutting, clearing, grubbing and grading in response to an increase in regulatory expectations, such as the listing of the Puget Sound Chinook salmon under the Endangered Species Act, and Seattle’s requirement to renew its National Pollution Discharge Elimination system permit.
First ground disturbance applies to sites that involve:
- Excavation in an Environmentally Critical Area (ECA)
- Machine-excavation in areas other than ECA
- Demolition which includes ground disturbance
This proactive approach allows DPD building inspectors to conduct a foundation inspection before such actions as grading and vegetation removal can cause erosion activity. It also facilitates tailoring erosion control measures to the specific site, which can benefit contractors. For example, rather than installing a silt fence around the entire perimeter of the site, only one or two sides of the site may actually require it.
The contractor should call (206) 684-8860 to request the first ground disturbance inspection with a DPD senior site development inspector. When the site inspector calls to verify time and place for the inspection, the contractor should ask about temporary erosion and sedimentation control (TESC).
Pre-Construction Meetings
Pre-Construction (PreCon) meetings may be required in addition to the first ground disturbance inspection. Normally, the contractor arranges a PreCon with the DPD building inspector through the inspections request line.
The building inspector will request that the geotechnical special inspector and earthwork subcontractor attend the PreCon along with the contractor and site inspector. If the project contains other ECA issues such as wetlands, the ECA special inspector and the DPD environmental scientist also should attend.
In cases where the first ground disturbance inspection has been done in advance of the PreCon, it is still important that all involved parties attend the PreCon to verify a clear understanding of the project, DPD requirements, and point of contact for the permitted project.
Special Inspection
Special inspections may be required for construction of structural systems (e.g., concrete, steel, aluminum, masonry), fireproofing, and special grading, excavation and filling involved with ground disturbance.
For further clarification, please refer to Director's Rule 23-87, General Duties and Responsibilities of Registered Special Inspectors.
Final Inspection
After all applicable final approvals are complete and in hand, applicants should call DPD's 24-hour inspection request line at (206) 684-8900 for a final inspection by the building inspector. If everything is in order and in compliance with approved plans, DPD will grant approval to occupy or, in the case of projects other than single family homes and duplexes, issue a Certificate of Occupancy.
For more required steps/materials for final inspection, refer to CAM 120, Getting a Certificate of Occupancy.
