(A) Inspections.
(1) The Inspection Department shall inspect all buildings and structures and work therein for which a permit of any kind has been issued as often as necessary in order to determine whether the work complies with the latest edition of the North Carolina State Building Code Administration & Enforcement Requirements Code and this chapter and the appropriate codes.
(2) When deemed necessary by the appropriate inspector, materials and assemblies may be inspected at the point of manufacture or fabrication, or inspections may be made by approved and recognized inspection organizations, provided that no approval shall be based upon reports of such organizations unless the same are in writing and certified by a responsible officer of such organization.
(3) All holders of permits, of their agents, shall notify the Inspection Department and the appropriate inspector at each of the following stages of construction outlined in the North Carolina Administration & Enforcement Requirements Code so that approval may be given before work is continued. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to provide access to and means for inspection of the work for any inspections that are required by the code.
(a) Foundation inspection. To be made after trenches are excavated and the necessary reinforcement and forms are in place, and before concrete is placed. Drilled footings, piles, and similar types of foundations shall be inspected as installed.
(b) Framing inspection. To be made after all structural framing is in place and all roughing-in of plumbing and electrical and heating has been installed, after all fire blocking, chimneys, bracing and vents are installed, but before any of the structure is enclosed, elements shall be inspected before each pour of any structural member.
(c) Insulation inspection. To be made after all areas required to be insulated are to verify that all “R” values required by code are complied with and all vapor barriers are intact.
(d) Final inspection. To be made after building or structure has all doors hung, fixtures set and ready for occupancy, but before the building is occupied.
(B) Calls for inspection.
(1) Requests for inspections may be made to the office of the Inspection Department or to the appropriate inspector. The Inspection Department shall make inspections as soon as practicable after request is made therefor, provided that such work is ready for inspection at the time the request is made.
(2) Reinspections may be made at the convenience of the Inspector. No work shall be inspected until it is in proper and completed condition ready for inspection. All work which has been concealed before the inspection and approval shall be uncovered at the request of the Inspector and placed in condition for proper inspection. Approval or rejection of the work shall be furnished by the appropriate inspector in the form of a notice posted on the building or given to the permit holder or his agent. Failure to call for inspections or proceeding without approval at each stage of construction shall be deemed a violation of this chapter.
(C) Street or alley lines. Where the applicant for a permit proposes to erect any building or structure on the line of any street, alley, or other public place, he or she shall secure a survey of the line of such street, alley, or other public place adjacent to the property upon which such building or structure is to be erected before proceeding with construction of such building or structure. It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector to see that the building does not encroach upon such street, alley, or other public place.
(D) Certificate of occupancy. No new building or part thereof shall be occupied, and no addition or enlargement of any existing building shall be occupied, and no existing building after being altered or moved shall be occupied until the Inspection Department has issued a certificate of occupancy therefor. A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued for a portion or portions of a building which may safely be occupied prior to final completion and occupancy of the entire building. Application for a certificate of occupancy may be made by the owner or the owner's agent after all final inspections have been made for new buildings, or, in the case of existing buildings, after supplying the information and data necessary to determine compliance with this chapter, the appropriate regulatory codes and any zoning ordinance of the occupancy intended. The Inspection Department shall issue a certificate of occupancy when, after examination and inspection, it is found that the building in all respects conforms to the provisions of this chapter, the regulatory codes, any zoning ordinance for the occupancy intended, and the property has been properly cleared of debris as provided in § 150.039(B).
(Ord. passed 6-9-83; Am. Ord. passed 2-12-04; Am. Ord. 2016-001, passed 2-11-16) Penalty, see § 10.99
Cross-reference:
Zoning provisions for certificate of occupancy, see § 153.172
Zoning provisions for certificate of occupancy, see § 153.172