A. General: Work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official, and such work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection until approved by the building official. In addition, certain types of work may be subject to successive inspections at predetermined phases as set forth in this Code. Upon completion of a phase, the permittee shall not proceed with the work without the approval of the building official. It shall be the duty of the applicant or permittee to provide access to and means for proper inspection of the work by the building official. Neither an approval as a result of an inspection nor the issuance of a permit shall constitute approval of a violation of this title or any other provision of this Code. Except as specifically provided in this Code, the building official is not authorized to waive any requirement set forth in this title, this Code or any Federal, State or local law, and any such waiver shall be void.
B. Subcontractor Of Record: Prior to the first inspection by the building official, if construction plans have been prepared by a registered design professional or mechanical, electrical, or plumbing subcontractor, the subcontractor shall complete and submit to the Building Department a "Subcontractor of Record" document on a form supplied by the City containing the following information: date, permit number, work location and subcontractor's name; Nevada contractor's license number; City of Elko business license number; telephone number(s) and email address.
C. Right Of Entry:
1. The building official may enter a building, structure or other property, provided the building official complies with the requirements of this section, except in the case of an emergency or when consent to the entry has been obtained from an owner or occupant of the property.
2. The following constitute purposes for which the building official may enter a building, structure or other property pursuant to this section:
a. To inspect, observe, measure, sample, test or investigate the building, structure or other property in connection with the review of an application or permit;
b. To inspect, observe, measure, sample, test or investigate any condition relating to, or to operate, maintain, or repair any City utility or facility;
c. To inspect reported conditions related to compliance with this title;
d. To perform periodic inspections required by any provision of this title;
e. To assess compliance with any approval, application or permit;
f. To inspect or to otherwise enforce any provision of this title;
g. When cause exists to believe that a violation of this title was or is being committed; or
h. For any other reason required by this title.
3. The building official may enter any building, structure or other property during regular City business hours and at other reasonable times for the purposes set forth in this section, subject to the following:
a. If the building, structure or other property to be inspected is occupied, the building official shall present official City credentials, including photo identification, to the owner or other person having charge or control of the building, structure or other property, state the reason for the inspection and request entry.
b. If the building, structure or other property to be inspected is unoccupied, the building official shall make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building, structure or other property and request entry.
c. Consent to enter buildings, structures or other property may be obtained by any means, including but not limited to written, facsimile, telephonic, email or in-person consent. In addition, a property owner's application for any permit or approval with respect to an activity in or on a building, structure or other property shall be deemed to be consent for the building official or his or her designee to enter the building, structure or other property to perform any inspections, measurements, sampling, or other action required to review and process the application; provided, that if the building official intends to enter a building or structure, the building official shall first contact the owner or occupant and arrange a mutually convenient time for the entry. The owner's or occupant's failure to consent to entry or to arrange a mutually convenient time for entry shall be grounds for the City to deny the application for the permit or approval.
d. If, for any reason allowed under this Code, entry to a building, structure or other property is refused or if the building official is unable to obtain such consent, the City shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry, including but not limited to application to a court of competent jurisdiction for an administrative search warrant or other remedy.
e. Nothing in this Code requires a City officer, official or employee to obtain the property owner's consent: 1) to an inspection that is conducted while the officer, official or employee remains on adjacent public property, such as a public right-of-way, or on other adjacent property, or 2) to enter property in which the City has a written easement, license or other property right for purposes authorized in the applicable instrument.
f. Notwithstanding the provisions above, whenever it appears to the City that conditions exist requiring immediate inspection or other action to prevent harm due to an imminent danger, a City officer, official or employee is authorized to enter in or upon any building, structure or other property, public or private to the extent permitted by law without first obtaining the owner's consent, or when any other circumstance exists making such entry lawful under the common law.
D. Inspection Access: In the event the building official is unable to inspect work subject to this title due to the presence of a covering, earth or any other material that obscures visibility, the applicant or permittee shall, at his or her own risk and expense, remove the material that obscures visibility, and the failure of the applicant or permittee to do so shall be grounds for denying or revoking the permit. An inspection may include the operation of any installed mechanical system, to include a life safety system.
E. Inspection Requests: The permittee shall, as appropriate, submit a written or verbal inspection request to the building official stating that work or phase of work is ready for inspection. Inspection requests shall be requested before eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. on the day for which the inspection is requested. Inspections requested after eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. will be scheduled for the next business day. The City Council may, by resolution, impose additional fees for expedited or same- day inspections. The building official will inspect the work or phase of work as soon as is reasonably practicable following the inspection request, depending upon the availability of personnel and resources. Nothing herein shall be interpreted as a guarantee that an inspection will take place on the date requested by the permittee.
F. Inspection Record Card, Permit, And Approved Plans: Work shall not commence until the applicant has obtained an inspection record card on a form provided by the City, the appropriate permit and approved submittal documents, all of which shall be present on the property where the work is performed and at a location readily accessible to the building official, until issuance of a final Certificate of Occupancy.
G. Inspection Results: Following an inspection by the building official, the building official will determine whether the work or phase of work has been completed in accordance with the requirements of this title. In the event the work or phase of work has been completed in accordance with the requirements of this title, the building official will authorize the permittee to proceed to the next phase of work or apply for a Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy, as appropriate. In the event the work or phase of work has not been completed in accordance with the requirements of this title, the building official will inform the permittee of the deficiencies in writing. Upon correction of any deficiencies identified by the building official, the permittee shall leave the corrected work exposed in such a manner as to permit inspection and shall thereafter request an inspection of the corrected work.
H. Inspection Of Phases And Verification Of Compliance: The building official, upon receipt of an inspection request from a permittee, shall perform the following inspections (where applicable) and/or require the following verification of compliance with the submittal documents:
1. Footing And Foundation Inspection: A footing and foundation inspection after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel, structural embeds, grounding electrodes, piping, and other integral materials and equipment are in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. Upon completion of the excavation of the footing and prior to the footing and foundation inspection, a Structure Placement Certificate on a form provided by the City, completed and signed by a registered design professional or the applicant stating that the structure is properly placed on the parcel as per the approved site plans, shall be submitted to the building official.
2. Concrete Slab And Under-Floor Inspection: A concrete slab and under-floor inspection after in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel and building service equipment systems, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the subfloor.
3. Building Elevation Inspection: In special flood hazard areas, the elevations of the bottom floor, including crawl space and basement, the next higher floor, the attached garage floor, the lowest machinery or equipment serving the building or structure, the lowest adjacent grade and the highest adjacent grade shall be certified by an engineer, land surveyor or architect on a FEMA Elevation Certification. The completed certifications shall be submitted to the City of Elko Floodplain Manager for review and approval prior to the final inspection.
4. Frame Inspection: The following frame inspections will be performed:
a. Frame Inspection For Wood And Light Gauge Metal Construction: Frame inspections for wood and light gauge metal construction shall be performed after all roof sheathing and components of braced wall or shear systems, framing, fireblocking, bracing, windows, pipes, chimneys, vents, rough mechanical, rough plumbing, and rough electrical, are complete. All applicable truss calculations shall be submitted to the building official no less than two (2) weeks prior to submission of an inspection request for a frame inspection for wood and light gauge metal construction. The failure of a permittee to comply with the foregoing requirement may result in the delay of the requested inspection or the return of the inspection request to the permittee, at the discretion of the building official.
b. Frame Inspection For Concrete, Steel And Masonry Construction: Frame inspections for concrete, steel (other than light gauge metal) and masonry construction shall be performed after all structural elements required by the approved construction documents and this title (including the technical codes) are in place and structural connections completed. This inspection includes an examination of all reinforcing steel, structural steel, concrete, masonry, grout, mortar, and structural connections. All applicable truss calculations shall be submitted to the building official no less than two (2) weeks prior to submission of an inspection request for a frame inspection for concrete, steel and/or masonry construction. The failure of a permittee to comply with the foregoing requirement may result in the delay of the requested inspection or the return of the inspection request to the permittee, at the discretion of the building official.
c. Finished Floor Elevation Certificate: Upon completion of the lowest habitable finished floor, a Finished Floor Elevation Certificate, prepared and signed by a professional engineer or land surveyor licensed in accordance with Nevada Revised Statutes chapter 625, the contractor or developer performing the work, or the applicant stating that the finished floor elevation is in compliance with the approved plans, shall be submitted to the building official.
5. Lath And Gypsum Board Inspection: Lath and gypsum board inspections shall be made after lathing and gypsum board, interior and exterior, is in place, but before any plastering is applied or gypsum board joints and fasteners are taped and finished.
6. Fire And Smoke Resistant Penetrations: Protection of joints and penetrations in fire resistant rated assemblies, smoke barriers and smoke partitions shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved.
7. Energy Efficiency Inspections: Inspections shall be made to determine compliance with the City Energy Conservation Code and shall include, but not be limited to, inspections for: envelope insulation R-values, fenestration U-value, duct system R-value, and HVAC and water heating equipment efficiency.
8. Required Mechanical Inspections: The following mechanical inspections will be performed:
a. Mechanical Rough Inspection: A mechanical rough inspection will be performed after all HVAC and exhaust duct systems are installed, securely fastened and supported in place, and all fire and smoke dampers have been installed in accordance with the applicable manufacturer's requirements.
b. Mechanical Final Inspection: A mechanical final inspection will be performed after all HVAC equipment is in place, and ductwork, gas lines, freon lines and register grills have been installed.
9. Required Plumbing Inspections: The building official will perform the following plumbing inspections:
a. Sewer Inspection: A sewer inspection will be performed to the point of connection to the public sewer system or the furthest extend of the septic system, whichever is applicable, after all underground sewer piping is installed, including manholes and cleanouts. Sewer pipes shall be tested in the presence of the building official by filling them with water and determining whether they hold water from the lowest point to the highest point in the sewer pipes.
b. Water Line Inspection: The building official will perform a water line inspection to the point of connection with the public water system after all underground on-site water piping is installed. Water pipes shall be tested in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code if joints or unions are installed in the water piping.
c. Plumbing Underground Inspection: A plumbing underground inspection will be performed of all underground drain, waste, vent and water piping within the boundaries of the exterior walls and foundation of the building or structure after it has been installed and tested.
d. Plumbing Rough Inspection: After all portions of the above- floor drain, waste, vent and water piping systems have been installed and tested, but while all pipes and other components of the plumbing are still exposed prior to covering, the building official will perform a plumbing rough inspection in accordance with this title (to include the technical codes) and the applicable manufacturer's specifications by running water through the system and making visual observations.
e. Plumbing Final Inspection: The building inspector will perform a plumbing final inspection after all fixtures are in place and connected to the drain, waste, vent and potable water systems.
10. Electrical Inspections: The building official will perform the following electrical inspections:
a. Site Electrical Inspection: A site electrical inspection of the electrical system shall be performed up to the point of connection to the public electric utility (if applicable) after all underground electrical conduit and associated devices are installed.
b. Ufer Ground (Concrete Encased Electrode) Inspection: An ufer ground inspection shall be completed concurrently with the footing or foundation inspection (as applicable). The ufer ground must comply with the National Electrical Code.
c. Underground Electrical Inspection: An underground electrical inspection shall be performed before the concrete slab and under- floor inspection. The underground electrical inspection must be performed after all in slab or under-floor building service equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is poured or floor sheathing is installed, including the subfloor.
d. Rough Electrical Inspection: A rough electrical inspection shall be performed concurrently with the frame inspection but after the initial installation of the electrical equipment and conduit or wiring.
e. Additional Electrical Inspections: Additional inspections of electrical installations to the extent such inspections are needed to determine compliance with this title, to include the technical codes.
f. Final Electrical Inspection: A final electrical inspection shall be performed upon completion of all work requiring any type of electrical inspection.
11. Pool/Spa Inspection:
a. Concrete Pools And Spas: The building official will perform the following inspections of concrete pools and spas:
(1) Initial Pool/Spa Inspection: An initial pool/spa inspection will be performed upon completion of excavation and installation (and stubbing out, where applicable) of reinforcing steel, shell bonding, piping, electrical conduit and light shells. Piping will be subjected to a pressure test in accordance with the City Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
(2) Pre-Plaster Pool/Spa Inspection: A pre-plaster pool/spa inspection will be performed when: a) all underground and rough inspections are completed and the associated work is approved, b) bonding is complete, c) plumbing is complete, d) the final plumbing inspection has been completed and the associated work has been approved, e) all electrical equipment has been installed and all electrical conductors have been terminated, f) all dead fronts have been labeled, g) the access barrier has been completed and h) for private pools and spas, all applicable safety requirements set forth in this title and the manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommendations have been satisfied.
(3) Final Pool/Spa Inspection: A final pool/spa inspection will be performed following: a) the installation of all pool and site drainage, piping and other apparatus and b) completion of all electrical work; provided, the ground fault circuit interrupter or residual current device shall be accessible and operational at the time of the final pool/spa inspection. The pool/spa shall not be used until completion of the final pool/spa inspection and approval of all associated work.
b. Manufactured Pools And Spas: The building official will perform the following inspections of manufactured pools and spas:
(1) Initial Manufactured Pool/Spa Inspection: An initial manufactured pool/spa inspection will be performed upon: a) completion of excavation, b) placement of the pool/spa, c) completion of bonding, d) completion of the access barrier, e) installation of all plumbing and related piping (including gas piping, if applicable), and f) for private pools and spas, all applicable safety requirements set forth in this title and the manufacturer's specifications, instructions and recommendations have been satisfied. Piping will be subjected to a pressure test in accordance with the City Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
(2) Manufactured Pool/Spa Pre-Deck Inspection: A manufactured pool/spa pre-deck inspection will be performed after installation of deck reinforcing steel and before placing pavers, concrete or other material for the pool/spa deck. Prior to the pre-deck pool/spa inspection: a) all deck steel or wire mesh reinforcement must be installed and bonded, b) all geotechnical work must be completed in accordance with all applicable standards, to include geotechnical or engineering soils reports, c) all plumbing and electrical equipment, to including piping and conduit, must be installed, d) all conductors must be terminated, and e) all dead fronts must be labeled.
(3) Manufactured Pool/Spa Final Inspection: A manufactured pool/spa final inspection will be performed after: a) completion of all pool/spa and site drainage work, b) completion of all electrical work and c) all other required inspections have been completed and approved by the building official. The ground fault circuit interrupter shall be accessible and operational at the time of the final manufactured pool/spa final inspection. The pool/spa shall not be used until a final inspection has been completed and approved by the building official.
12. Other Inspections: In addition to the inspections specified above, the building official is authorized to make or require other inspections of any work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this Code and other laws that are enforced by the building official.
13. Special Inspections: For special inspections, see chapter 17 of the International Building Code.
14. Final Inspection: The final inspection shall be conducted after all work required by the permit is completed in accordance with all applicable requirements of this title, to include the technical codes, and a drainage compliance report (if applicable) has been approved by the building official.
15. Approved Inspection Agencies: The building official may, in the building official's discretion, accept inspection reports prepared by approved inspection agencies; provided, prior to acceptance of any inspection report, the inspector or the company that employs the inspector, as appropriate, must be approved by the building official. In determining whether to approve an inspector or a company that employs an inspector, the building official will consider whether the person or company is qualified, properly licensed and reliable. The building official may require the inspector or employing company to submit the information needed to make an approval decision on a form supplied by the City.
16. Re-Inspections:
a. Re-Inspection Fee: A re-inspection fee will be charged for each inspection or re-inspection of work pursuant to a schedule adopted by the City Council if any one (1) of the following conditions occurs:
(1) Work is not completed at the time of a scheduled inspection, necessitating a re-inspection;
(2) Corrections identified in a previous inspection are not completed at the time of a re-inspection;
(3) The inspection record card, permit, or approved plans are not available on-site at the time of a scheduled inspection, necessitating a re-inspection;
(4) Access to work is not provided or is restricted at the time of a scheduled inspection, necessitating a re-inspection;
(5) Work for which inspection has been requested has been covered and is therefore not visible at the time of the inspection, necessitating a re-inspection; or
(6) Work which requires inspection prior to the scheduled inspection was not approved by the time of the scheduled inspection.
Except as otherwise provided above, there shall be no fee charged for a re-inspection.
b. Requesting A Re-Inspection: To obtain a re-inspection, the permittee shall request a re-inspection for a specific phase of work covered by the requested permit and pay any required re- inspection fee in accordance with the adopted fee schedule. (Ord. 820, 7-11-2017)