Inspections

General

  • It is the Applicant’s responsibility to assure compliance with all inspections and codes.
  • All approvals from required agencies must be received at the Permits office prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
  • The structure(s) subject to a Building Permit may not be used or inhabited until the County issues a Certificate of Occupancy.
  • The Certificate of Occupancy will be mailed to the Applicant as it appears on Applicant’s Address.
  • Construction may not continue beyond the respective phase until the appropriate inspections have been conducted and passed.
  • A complete set of approved plans must remain on the job site at all times.
  • Structural Work not ready or not accessible for inspection at a pre-arranged day/time may be subject to additional fees.

When a building permit is issued and released, the permittee will be informed by the Building Safety office to the number and type of satisfactory inspection reports required. The following describes the type of inspections and subsequent reports that may be required to comply with the building permit process and to achieve the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Note: The following inspection process is provided for guidance only, and may not be relevant to, or all inclusive to, your specific project.

Structural Inspections:

  • Footer/Slab  (for walls, piers, columns) - Inspected after excavated and/or formed, reinforcement in place, prior to concrete pour.
  • Foundation/Pier & Beam - Inspected after completed, moisture-proofed, drain in place with stone cover and filter membrane, and before backfill (sub-slab grade, base course and perimeter insulation inspected if ready).
  • Framing - Inspected after all framing and sheathing completed, after all electric and plumbing service laterals and rough-in(including sub-slab piping and conduit) are satisfactorily completed, other miscellaneous structural inspections completed, sub-slab grade and base course inspected if not done in prior inspection; and before any insulation work or other concealment.
  • Masonry Veneer Flashing - Inspected when installed and while exposed.
  • Insulation - Inspected after all insulation is in place, vapor barriers are installed and properly oriented, attic ventilation is complete.
  • Masonry Fireplace – Inspect 8” throat height at start of smoke chamber. (2) Inspect fire stop before proceeding.
  • Special Inspections - May be required by professional design consultant of record for non-prescriptive building practices or material installation and usage.
  • Final - Inspected after structure is complete; all utilities connected; final grading completed; all prior required inspections performed including, final electrical and plumbing inspection stickers affixed to breaker panel; well and septic system certification issued by the Health Department; completed documentation affixed to approved plan.

Plumbing Inspections:

  • Lateral/Service (Water/Sewer) EXAMPLE (water):  Water inspection when trench is open, pipe installed to meter at property line and the first shut-off in the house, pipe should be high density polyethylene (HDPE) 200psi with No.8 gravel bedding before connection to water source.  EXAMPLE (sewer):  Sanitary piping shall be 4” SDR 35 with No. 8 gravel bedding to 12 inches above the pipe. Confirm there are no connections of downspouts, area drains or footer drains to sanitary sewer.
  • Rough - EXAMPLES: Inspected when all DWV piping is anchored within walls, ceilings, and floors; clean-outs, traps, closet flanges and vents are installed; piping stubbed to fixture locations; system sealed with pressure testing; all water piping anchored within walls, ceilings and floors; water piping insulated, as required, with notch protection complete; plumbing stubbed to interior of room at fixture locations, sealed with pressure testing; all gas piping anchored in place within walls, ceilings and floors;  piping stubbed to gas equipment and/or fixtures, with test; piping exposed at all locations.
  • Final - EXAMPLES: Inspected when all water, drainage and gas systems are installed complete; all fixtures connected and in finished condition; all equipment connected, tested and operational; final connections to utilities complete, trenches backfilled and graded; hot water tank filled and on; any necessary utility inspections completed and documented.

Electrical Inspections:

  • Service - EXAMPLES: Inspected upon completion of entrance, meter socket, meter, panel, main disconnect.  Potomac Edison (Allegany Power) Work Release # required.
  • Rough- EXAMPLES: Inspected upon complete installation of all wiring in walls, ceilings and under floors; pulled to main and sub-feed panels, conduit exposed, notching protection and boxes in place with wire pulled, grounding in boxes complete.
  • Final - EXAMPLES: Inspected when all lights and fixtures are connected; receptacle and switch covers in place; equipment connected; alarms and low voltage control wiring complete; GFCI circuits connected; grounding system complete and fully operational; panel and sub-feed panel breakers installed; directory affixed to panel; all systems complete.

Other:

  • The number of actual field inspections/trips necessary to complete a satisfactory inspection report for the respective phase of work (1) depends on the nature/scope of the work; and (2) is at the discretion of the inspection agency.
  • Certificate of Occupancy (CO): All required inspections must be executed and satisfactorily passed (approved). All related inspections reports must be submitted to the Building Safety Office for evaluation and file. A CO, issued by the County, is required prior to the occupancy and use of a structure subject to the building permit process.
  • Appeals: In accordance with the Building Code of Allegany County, a Building Codes Appeals Board (BCAB) exists to address alternate means of construction, alternate materials and interpretation of regulations. For inquiries, contact the Building Safety Office, at 301-777-5951, regarding applicability and scheduling of hearings.