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 official inspection record for your project. While it includes a comprehensive list of common inspections, not all may apply to your specific project. However, you can use it as a reference for typical inspection requirements.
Please keep the coversheet in good condition, as inspectors will sign it at each inspection to document approval. The coversheet and full approved plan set must be available on-site for the inspector at the time of inspection.
You can view a sample coversheet here to see the list of potential inspection types.
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
Important: Any concrete, foundation, or wall work must be inspected at least three business days before the scheduled concrete pour. Scheduling your inspection in advance helps prevent last-minute delays and costly rework.
Pre-Construction Meetings
A pre-construction meeting is required before starting work on all new construction projects, as well as any project that:
- Includes a stormwater permit
- Requires new water service
- Adds more than 500 square feet of new impervious surface
To schedule, call the Inspection Request Line at (206) 275-7730. Please note: pre-construction meetings are not next-day inspections. An inspector will contact you to arrange the meeting time.
Final Inspections
A final inspection and sign-off by a city inspector is required to officially close out your permit. Until the permit is finalized, the project is considered incomplete and has not been approved by the City.
Failure to obtain final inspection may create issues during the sale of your home, as open or unfinalized permits must be disclosed to potential buyers.
