20.02.160 Inspections.
A. 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 code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code 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 purposes. 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. Before issuing a permit, the building official is authorized to examine or cause to be examined buildings, structures, and sites for which an application has been filed.
C. Manufacturer’s installation instructions, as required by this code, shall be available on the job site at the time of inspection.
D. The building official, upon notification, shall make the following inspections:
1. Footing and Foundation Inspection. Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after poles or piers are set or trenches or basement areas are excavated and all required hold-down anchor bolts, hold-down straps, any forms erected, and any required reinforcing steel is in place and supported. The foundation inspection shall include excavation for thickened slabs intended for the support of bearing walls, partitions, structural supports, or equipment and special requirements for wood foundations. 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, slab insulation, piping accessories and other ancillary equipment items are in place, but before any concrete is placed or floor sheathing installed, including the subfloor.
3. Lowest Floor Elevation. In flood hazard areas, upon placement of the lowest floor, including the basement, and prior to further vertical construction, the elevation certification required in IBC Section 1612.5 or IRC Section R323 shall be submitted to the building official.
4. Exterior Wall Sheathing Inspection. Exterior wall sheathing shall be inspected after all wall framing is complete, strapping and nailing is properly installed, but prior to being covered.
5. Roof Sheathing Inspection. The roof sheathing shall be inspected after all roof framing is complete. No roof coverings shall be installed until inspections are made and approved.
6. IMC/IPC/GAS/NEC Rough-In Inspection. Rough-in mechanical, gas piping, plumbing and electrical shall be inspected when the rough-in work is complete and, if required, under test. No connections to primary utilities shall be made until the rough-in work is inspected and approved.
7. Flashing and Exterior Weather Barrier Inspection. Flashing and exterior weather barrier inspections shall be made after flashing and weather barrier materials have been installed, but prior to any of the work being covered. Subject to the approval of the building official, periodic inspections may be made during the course of construction.
Exception: Where special inspection is authorized by the building official.
a. Multi-Unit Residential Building Enclosure Inspection. Chapter 64.55 RCW requires affected multi-unit residential buildings to provide a building enclosure inspection performed by a third-party, independent, and qualified inspector during the course of initial construction and during rehabilitative construction. The city does not verify the qualifications of the inspector or determine whether the building enclosure inspection is adequate or appropriate. However, the city is prohibited from issuing a certificate of occupancy for the building until the inspector prepares a report and submits to the building department a signed letter certifying that the building enclosure has been constructed in substantial compliance with the building enclosure design documents. Reference Chapter 64.55 RCW for additional requirements.
Where balconies or other elevated walking surfaces are exposed to water from direct or blowing rain, snow or irrigation, and the structure framing is protected by an impervious moisture barrier, all elements of the impervious moisture barrier system shall not be concealed until inspected and approved.
8. EFIS, lath, gypsum board, and gypsum panel product inspections shall be made after backing, lathing or gypsum board and gypsum panel products, interior and exterior, are in place, but before any plastering is applied or gypsum board and gypsum panel product joints and fasteners are taped and finished.
Exception: Interior gypsum board and gypsum panel products that are not part of a fire-resistance-rated assembly or a shear assembly.
9. Frame Inspection. Framing inspections shall be made after the roof deck, wall sheathing, all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, fire suppression piping, heating wires, pipes and ducts are approved and the building is substantially dried in.
10. Fire- and Smoke-Resistant Penetrations. Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated assemblies, smoke barriers and smoke partitions shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved. (Ord. 2344 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2052 § 2 (Exh. B), 2010; Ord. 1986 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1926 § 4, 2004).