When to Schedule an Inspection
Once a permit is obtained, request an inspection. Call for inspection prior to covering and/or concealing any work. If you are unsure of when to call for an inspection, please contact our Customer Service Team (CST) at (206) 275-7605.
For a complete list of residential inspections and other general requirements please review the Plan Coversheet.
General Information
Work must be inspected and approved by the City Inspector prior to close out of the permit. The inspector will review your work for conformance with applicable codes and standards. If the inspector notes that corrections are needed prior to approval, please make those corrections, and call for a re-inspection.
Required inspections are specific to each site and scope of work; you may be required to schedule multiple inspections.
Single Family Building Permits
The coversheet on your approved plan set serves as the inspection record for your project. The inspections listed on the coversheet are not specific to your project, so you may not need ALL of the inspections listed. But you can reference the list to see what inspections are typically required for a building project. Please maintain the plan coversheet in good condition because the inspector(s) will sign off each inspection on your plan coversheet as your record of the inspection and inspection approval. The coversheet and approved plan must be available for the inspector at time of the inspection. You can view the coversheet template here to see a list of potential inspection requirements.
Other Permits
The inspection record is located on the back of the permit document. Please have the permit document available at time of inspection for the inspector’s signature.
Concrete, Foundation, and Wall Work
Note that any concrete, foundation, or wall work must have an inspection three days prior to the date you expect to pour concrete. This prevents last minute issues regarding this step, which can save you time and money.
Pre-Construction Meetings
Pre-construction meetings are required prior to start of work on all New Construction and on any project that has a stormwater permit, new water service, or adds more than 500 sf. of new impervious surface to the lot. Call the Inspection Request Line at (206) 275-7730 to schedule. Pre-con meetings are not next day inspections. The inspector will call you to schedule.
Final Inspections
The final inspection and sign off from an inspector is required prior to close out, or “final” of the permit. If a permit is not finalized, then the permit process is not complete and the city has not signed off on the work. Failing to obtain final inspection can lead to problems when you try to sell your home. Permits that have not been finalized should be disclosed at time of sale.
