Inspections for New Residential Building Construction

How do I know when to call for an inspection?

New Building Construction Inspection Requirements:

Residential and Commercial

Inspection Type	Permit Type	Preparation/When to Schedule
Footing	Building	Before pouring concrete. The trench must be prepared and inspected prior to the placement of concrete. Property must be flagged in such a manner that the inspector can verify the general setback requirements. Dig your footing trench, install grade stakes to show the depth of concrete to be poured. Some footings may require additional reinforcement which must be in place at the time of inspection. After approval of footing inspection you may proceed with the placement of concrete and the framing of your structure.
Foundation	Building	Before pouring concrete to verify the footing and insulation of slab.
Slab (if applicable)	Building	After approval of all sub-trade ground work and after installation of reinforcement, vapor barrier and perimeter insulation (if required) and prior to placement of concrete.
Trench	Electrical	This inspection is before filling the trench for underground service lines.
Plumbing Slab	Plumbing	This inspection is for water and sewer lines that are installed prior to pouring a concrete slab. Sewer line must be filled with water for a test prior to inspection.
Water/Sewer	Plumbing	This inspection is prior to covering water, sewer or both lines that extend from the house, to the utility lines.
Rough-in	Plumbing/Electrical	Before covering the wall. Inspections of water/sewer and some fixtures for plumbing and of the electrical components including all wiring and receptacle and switch boxes are installed for electrical.
	Mechanical	Inspection of the mechanical components including ductwork, sealing and insulation before concealment. This may also include a manufactured fireplace rough-in inspection where the flue pipe and clearances to combustibles are inspected.
Pressure Test	Gas	Inspection prior to concealment of the gas line components must be under pressure.
Framing	Building	Inspection of the structural parts of the enclosure including sill plates, anchorage, wood studs, floor and ceiling joist, and rafters if applicable. All draft-stopping and fire-blocking must be installed. The framing inspection must be performed after the trades rough- In inspections have been approved.
Sheathing	Building	An inspection of the exterior wall sheathing (usually plywood) and is required prior to coverage by the house wrap and/or air barrier material. The sheathing inspection of the gable area or the roof prior to coverage is not required.
Insulation	Building	At the completion of the required insulation installation, excluding accessible attic and crawl spaces before concealment and after the framing inspection.
Service	Electrical	If applicable an Inspection of the electrical service before concealment.
Final	Electrical, Mechanical, Gas, Plumbing	After work is complete.
Final	Building	At the completion of the project after all of the trades have received final approval.
Grading	Building	Finished Grade is established, to include the slope of the 10’ perimeter of the house and driveway slope as well as seeding/site stabilization for compliance with Stormwater regulations. Stabilization Requirements information.
Landscape	Building	Required number of trees are planted with 1 being in the front yard.
Proffer Insp (when applicable)	Building	Inspection of Architectural Proffers as required per Rezoning/Subdivision/Site approval.
Other Items Required Prior to CO or Closure of Project	Type	Information
Lot Grading Certification	Form required on all New Single Family Residential Dwellings	Form must be provided before CO can be issued. http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/city-departments/departments/Department-of-Development-and-Permits/forms.htm
BMP Form Design/Final *when applicable in certain subdivisions	Building	The Design form is required prior to permit issuance and the Final Acceptance is required prior to CO issuance. https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/city-departments/departments/Department-of-Development-and-Permits/forms.htm
Flood Elevation Certificate	Must be on current FEMA form	If the property is in the AE Flood Hazard area you must provide this for review and approval, before a CO may be issued. https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/160?id=1383
Septic/Well	Health Department form	Must provide the Operational permits from the Health Department prior to CO issuance. For all new dwellings with Well/Septic, provide Sewage System Operation Permit and Well approval form.
As Builts/Site Certification	Building for Condo’s, Apartments, Commercial	All new buildings for Condo’s, Apartments and Commercial as well as Commercial Additions will be required to submit this form for approval prior to any CO issuance. http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/Online-Services/forms.htm
Special Inspections	Building	New Commercial buildings and additions will be required to provide the Final Statement of Special Inspections for review and approval, prior to CO issuance. https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/government/city-departments/departments/Department-of-Development-and-Permits/forms.htm

Print above chart – Required Steps

pdf format

Who should I call to request an inspection?

The City will make every effort to provide inspections on your requested date. However, please be aware the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code allows two working days from the date of request to perform the inspection.

You can request your inspections by phone or online.

Process for Requesting Inspections

You may request inspections by telephone or online via our eBuild site.

All phone-in inspection requests should be directed to the City’s Customer Contact Center at 757-382-CITY (2489). You may also submit your inspection request online via the City of Chesapeake Customer Contact Center. On-line submittals may be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You may request a next-business-day inspection by phone, or online up to 11:59am the previous day.

Instructions for Requesting an Inspection:

Request by phone -Please call 757-382-CITY (2489) to request an inspection.
Request online – eBUILD.

Request by Phone

All inspections by phone should be directed to the City’s Customer Contact Center at 757-382-CITY (2489). Operator on duty - Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Callers must be prepared to provide specific required information when requesting an inspection.

Permit Number
Property Address
Type of Inspections – See Required Steps pdf format
Contractor’s Name
Phone Number
Requestor Name
A copy of the approved plans and any engineering (if applicable) as well as the approved site plan are required to be on site for inspection. The minimum size required is 18X24 for additions, houses or larger projects, small sheds, decks or other minor work may use 8.5X11 as long as the details are sufficiently legible. Plans are downloadable from your permit record in eBUILD.

How do I know if my inspection was approved?

The Department of Development & Permits issued standard operating procedures include the Code Compliance Inspectors leaving a yellow inspection card at he job site to notify the permit holder if the inspection was approved or rejected with a brief explanation if rejected.

When can I move in to my new home?

All new residential dwellings are required to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy after the completion of all required construction inspections.

As required by Section §116.1 of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, any building or structure constructed under this code shall not be used until a Certificate of Use and Occupancy has been issued by the building official.

What can I do if my inspections are not finalized and I must move in?

You may contact the Building Code Official in the Department of Development & Permits and apply for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. However, the following are guidelines to apply for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy:

The building permit holder is the only party eligible to request a temporary certificate of occupancy.
All inspections (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas) except building final must be finalized. A final building inspection must be done before applying.
If the property is located in the flood zone, the FEMA letter is required.
Septic tank and /or well water approval letters must be received in this office.
A review of any rejected or outstanding issues will be considered prior to issuing a temporary certificate of occupancy.

Should the applicant fail to renew and/or complete inspections/conditions of a permit authorized a temporary occupancy, this privilege will be suspended until full compliance is achieved.