Building Inspections

Responsibilities & Expectations

It is your responsibility to insure inspections at specific times during construction are requested. You may have your contractor make the call, but it is still your responsibility, as the property owner, to make sure the inspections are made. During the construction phase, inspections by the City Staff are required. These inspections are required to insure that the construction is proceeding according to the approved plans and/or that all current code standards are being met.

Requests

All inspection requests must be made at least one working day in advance. Periodic inspections must be requested until the project is completed and final approval is given by the City.

You can call the permit inspection line at 727-369-5834 to request an inspection.

Red Tags

Note: If you receive a red tag with a fee and request for re-inspection, the fee must be paid and work corrected before the re-inspection will be done. If you receive a red tag with a request for re-inspection (no fee), work must be corrected prior to re-inspection.

The inspections are not the only aspects of construction the Building Development Division inspects and is only a guide when to call for inspections when needed. To request inspections, call 727-369-5834 and give all information asked by the recorder.

Building Inspection Guidelines

  1. Urban Forestry - Environmental Inspection
    Sites which contain trees and Florida native plant or contain environmentally sensitive areas near or within the area to be built upon or altered, must be inspected prior to the commencement of any site clearing. Following the inspection, and upon approval and issuance of a tree removal or grubbing permit, site clearing may commence provided that other concerned agencies, such as DEP and SWFWMD.

  2. Building - Footing Inspection
    Inspect depth, width, reinforcement, electrical bonding, footing not on fill dirt, unless properly compacted and setbacks. This could be a monolithic pour of footing and slab. If so, inspections Number 2, Number 3, and Number 4 would pertain. Compare the work done to the approved building plans and applicable codes.

  3. Plumbing - First Rough Inspection
    Inspect sanitary drain pipes for proper fall, size, test for leaks, and if all fittings are the right type. Water piping - check for leaks, and if pipes are protected from cement and different types of metals. Check piping for right size for the amount of fixtures. Compare the work done to the approved building plans and applicable codes.

  4. Building - Slab Inspection
    Inspect soil treatment under living area, compaction of fill dirt (if over 24" of fill, a compaction test will be required), vapor barrier under living area, wire mesh, unless fiber mesh is used, and reinforcement is in place. Compare the work done to the approved building plans and applicable codes.

  5. Engineering - Utility Installation Inspection (If Applicable)
    Required for extension of all dedicated sanitary sewer and water line facilities. DER permit verifications, pipe installations, pressure testing, bacteriological testing, deflection testing, infiltration / exfiltration testing and televising of utilities. Review specifications and permits for compliance.

  6. Building - Tie Beam / Lintel Inspection
    No inspection will be made without a survey with finished floor elevations and all setback measurements shown at the job site. Inspect reinforcement from footing through tie beam / lintel steel, length of reinforcement lap, size and type of reinforcement. Check if inspection holes in block are cleaned out. Compare the work done to the approved building plans and applicable codes.

  7. Electrical - First Rough Inspection
    Inspect wire run for size, amount of circuits, amounts of wires in each box, wire staple spacing, box holes patched, smoke alarm location, exterior lights, spacing of outlets, IC rating of recessed lighting fixtures, fan boxes, and nail plates. Compare the work done to the approved building plans and applicable codes.

  8. Building - Sheathing Inspection
    Inspect sheathing on roof and walls and nailing if applicable.

  9. Plumbing - Second Rough Inspection
    Inspect for leaks in tub, shower pan, shower drain, vent stacks, and water piping. Inspect tub for level, water piping for strapping, tub and shower valves for stops, and check if vent stacks are through the roof with flashing. Compare the work to approved building plans and applicable codes.

  10. Mechanical - First Rough Inspection
    Inspect duct work for size and location. Dryer vents, bath fan vents, and range hood vents. Check lines to equipment, plenums for sealing, and check proposed location of equipment. Compare the work to approved building plans and applicable codes.

  11. Rough-In Inspection and Pressure Test
    Note: Gas inspection, work and test must be done by a certified person where they inspect piping size and location, venting of appliances-15 pounds per square inch - pressure test with gauge no larger than 30 pounds per square inch, tagged and left for 24 hour test. Compare the work to approved building plans and applicable codes.

  12. Building - Framing Inspection
    Inspection made only after inspections Number 7, Number 8, Number 9 and Number 10 are approved. Inspect type of studs, spacing, and protection of untreated wood against concrete, block, or metal. Inspect roof rafters, ceiling joists or trusses for spacing, size and bracing. Check sheathing on floor, walls and nailing. Check floor joists for size, notching and spacing. Check connections: straps, buckets, bolts; nails for size and quantity and to plans. Check header size, furring strips, spacing and nails. Check fire blocking and draft stopping. Truss engineering shall be available to inspector. All holes, top plate and exterior walls shall be sealed. Compare the work done to the approved building plans and applicable codes.

    Note: Roofing must have a Dry In inspection.

  13. Building - Drywall Inspection
    Inspect all drywall before any finishing is started. Check drywall for right type and thickness, and amount and spacing of screws or nails. Ceiling drywall shall be 1/2 inch ceiling drywall or 5/8 inch on ceiling joists of 24 inches on center. All bathroom walls exposed to water shall be M.R. (moisture resistant) drywall.

  14. Plumbing - Sewer and Water Service Inspection
    Inspect size of pipe, type material, leaks, the right fittings for different type pipes. Check the amount of fall for sewer line, and clean-out locations. Compare the work to approved building plans and applicable codes.

  15. Electrical - Final Inspection
    Inspect outlets, switches, lighting, GFI outlets, arc fault circuits required in bedrooms, trim, appliances, trim, appliances, panel breakers, panel labeling, and fans. Compare the work to approved building plans and applicable codes.

  16. Plumbing - Final Inspection
    Inspect sinks, faucets, tubs, showers, water heaters with relief valves to pan draining outside, hose bibs with vacuum breakers, and no leaks, all holes filled through walls and cabinetry. Compare the work to approved building plans and applicable codes.

  17. Mechanical - Final Inspection
    Inspect equipment including location and rating label, if heat shields are in place and condensate line draining to exterior with trap. Check location of exterior equipment to make sure it is not in building setbacks. Compare the work to approved building plans and applicable codes.

  18. Gas - Final Inspection
    Inspect connection and location of equipment, safety devices installed. Proper type of connector and shut off. Check for proper type of flue and connection. Compare the work to approved building plans and applicable codes.

  19. Engineering - Rough Grading and Paving
    Inspect all sub-grades and final grades for proper drainage not affecting abutting property. Base inspections of asphalt/concrete paving including materials testing. Sidewalk and driveway form inspection.

  20. Final Landscape Inspection
    Inspect trees and landscaping for compliance to Land Development Code Requirements (number and size of trees, species, setback requirements, spacing of trees and shrubs). Inspect seeding or sodding requirements and irrigation or sprinkler system regulations. Inspect for compliance to required preservation and protection of existing vegetation or environmentally sensitive areas.

  21. Engineering - Final Grading, Paving and Utilities
    Final inspection and verification of pavement quantities. Verification of all utility installations including record drawing submittals and final grading inspection subsequent to landscape installation. Final permit review for compliance with DEP, SWFWMD, PPWMD, FDOT and Pinellas County Engineering.

  22. Building - Final Inspection
    Inspect complete building to verify everything is complete and all inspections are finalized. Verify address numbers are displayed, verify exterior equipment is not in building setbacks, and the building is ready for occupancy.

  23. Certificate of Occupancy
    All inspections must be finalized, and all red tags and transportation impact fees paid. Final survey is required.