(A) General. Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this chapter or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this chapter or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid. It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purpose. Neither the Building Official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection.
(B) Preliminary inspection. Before issuing a permit, the Building Official is authorized to examine or cause to be examined building, structures and sites for which an application has been filed.
(C) Required inspections. The Building Official, upon notification, shall make the inspections set forth in divisions (C)(1) through (C)(12) below.
(1) Footing and foundation inspection. Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. Materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except where concrete is ready mixed in accordance with ASTM C 94, the concrete need not be on the job.
(2) Concrete slab and under-floor inspection. Concrete slab and under-floor inspections shall be made after in-slab or under-floor reinforcing steel and building service equipment, conduit, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the sub floor.
(3) Lowest floor elevation. In flood hazard areas, upon placement of the lowest floor including the basement, and prior to further vertical construction, an elevation certificate as required in Flood Damage Prevention and Protection Ordinance shall be submitted to the Building Official.
(4) Plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical systems inspection.
(a) Rough inspection of plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical systems shall be made prior to covering or concealment, before fixtures or appliances are set or installed, and prior to framing inspection.
(b) Exception: Back-filling of ground-source heat pump loop systems tested in accordance with the International Mechanical Code prior to inspection shall be permitted.
(5) Frame and masonry inspection. Framing inspections shall be made after the roof deck or sheathing, all framing, fire blocking, bracing and masonry are in place and pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are approved.
(6) Fire-resistance-rated construction inspection. Where fire-resistance-rated construction is required between dwelling units or due to location on property, the Building Official shall require an inspection of such construction after all lathing and/or wallboard is in place, but before any plaster is applied, or before wall-board joints and fasteners are taped and finished.
(7) Reinforced masonry, insulating concrete form (ICF) and conventionally formed concrete wall inspection. Reinforced masonry walls, insulating concrete form (ICF) walls and conventionally formed concrete walls shall be inspected after plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems are embedded within the walls, reinforcing steel is in place and prior to placement of grout or concrete. Inspection shall verify the correct size, location, spacing, and lapping of reinforcing. For masonry walls, inspection shall also verify that the location of grout cleanouts and size of grout spaces comply with the requirements of this chapter.
(8) Fire-resistant penetrations. Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated assemblies shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved.
(9) Energy efficiency inspections. Inspections shall be made to determine compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code and shall include, but not be limited to inspections for: envelope insulation R and U values, fenestration U value, duct system R value, and HVAC and water-heating equipment efficiency.
(10) Other inspections. In addition to the inspections specified above, the Building Official is authorized to make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this chapter and other laws that are enforced by the Building Official.
(11) Special inspections. Special inspections shall be in compliance with the applicable provisions of this chapter.
(12) Final inspection. The final inspection shall be made after all work required by the applicable permits are completed.
(D) Inspection agencies. The Building Official is authorized to accept reports of approved inspection agencies, provided such agencies satisfy the requirements as to qualifications and reliability.
(E) Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the holder of the building permit or their duly authorized agent to notify the Building Official when work is ready for inspection. It shall be the duty of the permit holder to provide access to and means for inspection of such work that are required by this chapter.
(F) Approval required. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the Building Official. The Building Official, upon notification, shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate the portion of the construction that is satisfactory as completed, or notify the permit holder or his or her agent wherein the same fails to comply with this chapter. Any portions that do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the Building Official.
(Ord. 2016-14, passed 1-19-2017) Penalty, see § 150.99