Construction Inspections

Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing

Process Description:
Once the client has obtained a permit, the Construction Division assists the customer with scheduling, canceling, rescheduling, inquiries on the progress of an inspection, search for certificates of occupancy (active and inactive), certificates of completion, progress of permits, research re-inspection fees, and contractor information.

*Note: Before scheduling a framing inspection, all other trade inspections must be approved. All trade inspections can be scheduled in any order of sequence. The framing inspection will always be the last inspection scheduled after all other trade rough ins have been approved.

See the City of Raleigh Development Services Glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Are there any prerequisites to this process?

Permit approval and issuance is required before construction is allowed to begin.

How do I start the process?
Once the permit has been obtained, the client has several different ways to schedule, maintain and research the permit.

On-Line Development Center at http://onlinedevcenter.raleighnc.gov/devservices
Call Rapid Response System: 919-857-4412
Call for staff assistance: 919-516-2500
Visit staff located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 504, Raleigh, NC

What information is required for scheduling inspections?

Standard Information Needed

Permit number
Project address
Group number

*Note: All information required above is provided on the applicant permit copy.

What additional documents may be needed?

Change of Contractor form – If you have listed the incorrect contractor on the permit or if there has been a change in contractor, the change of contractor form will need to be submitted to the Construction Division and the system updated to show the correct responsible party doing the work
Conditional Service form (application & agreement for temporary electrical & mechanical service) – If the contractor is not set up for early release and needs a meter set before all final inspections have been completed, the contractor will need to apply for conditional service, which requires the form to be filled out showing why and for how long they are requesting conditional service. The application fee for this service is $72.00. Checks are made payable to the City of Raleigh. This application is only applicable to the Electrical and/or Mechanical trades
Sewer Release form package – If a backflow water valve is installed, a Sewer Release form is needed. This is an agreement between the property owner and the city that states the city assumes no responsibility if the sewer backs up on the property. The form has to be notarized and signed by the property owner. Both the form and a payment of $20.00 (check or money order made payable to the Wake County Register of Deeds) must be submitted to the City of Raleigh, Construction Division. The payment consists of $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each subsequent page of the sewer release package. Read the Sewer Release Procedure for instructions before submitting a form package
Third Party Inspection Agreement – This agreement allows a General Contractor to perform work on a major structure after hours with monitoring provided by the Structural Engineer of Record
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy – A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) allows a tenant to occupy a fit up space on a temporary basis pending approval of all final inspections. This authorization is granted with the condition that there are no life safety code violations. If needed, the client will request a TCO from the Inspector in the field and the inspector will pass along the request to the office staff via email. Office staff will process the TCO. The fee is $72.00 per open permit
After Hours Inspections At Your Service
Smoke Alarm Requirements

Where can I find detailed information regarding inspections?

Where do I submit the above forms?

Office:               City of Raleigh
Department:    Inspections
Division:           Construction
Address:          One Exchange Plaza, Suite 504 Raleigh, NC 27601
Adjacent to:     219 Fayetteville Street
Phone #:          (919) 516-2500
Hours:              8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

What are the common reasons for rejecting an Inspection?

What should I do if my inspection is rejected? (Re-inspections)

A code violation may result in an inspection status of “rejection”. After the code violation is corrected, you may schedule a re-inspection. A re-inspection fee of $62 must be paid before scheduling the next inspection. Re-inspection fees may be paid in cash, MasterCard or Visa or check made payable to: City of Raleigh at either of the following locations:

Downtown Raleigh: One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404, Raleigh NC 27601 (919) 516-2495
North Raleigh: Litchford Satellite Office, 8320-130 Litchford Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 (919) 713-4200

Re-inspections may be paid over the telephone by contacting a Customer Service Representative at (919) 516-2170 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please have the permit number, project address and credit card information available before you call.

To schedule a re-inspection that was previously paid, contact a Customer Service Representative at (919) 516-2500 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. or use the automated voice response system (EDIFY) which is available 24 hours per day by calling (919) 857-4412.

What fees are involved and when do I pay them?

Conditional Service – $72.00 per permit is due when the form is submitted to the Construction Division. Payments can be made at the City of Raleigh’s cashier office located on the 4th floor of the One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404 Raleigh NC or paid at the Litchford Satellite office located at 8320-130 Litchford Road Raleigh, NC or fax to 919-516-2689 and submit payment via telephone by calling 919-516-2170
Sewer Release form package – $20.00 is due when the form is submitted to the Construction Division along with the completed Sewer Release form (money order or check made payable to: Wake County Register of Deeds) Submit form and payment to the City of Raleigh, Construction Division located at One Exchange Plaza in Suite 504. The payment consists of $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each subsequent page of the sewer release package. Read the Sewer Release Procedure for instructions before submitting a form package
Re-inspection fee – $62.00 per trade. Re-inspection fee must be paid prior to scheduling the re-inspection. See above (Re-inspections) for details
Temporary Certificate of Occupancy - $72.00 per trade if the permitted inspection has not had its final approval
Certificate of Occupancy more than 30 days past the issue date is $72.00 per copy per address
Certificate of Occupancy that is no longer in the system and is replaced by a City of Raleigh Form Letter; $72.00 per address
Copies of project information (plans, documentation, application, etc.) 8 ½ X 11 is .05 each, 11 X 17 is $1.00 each
Administrative fee - $25.00, if it takes one (1) hour or more to research information
Duplicate building card is $10.00 each
See Fee Schedule

How long will this process take?

Inspections are generally made the next business day. Re-inspections added to your permit will automatically be scheduled for the following business day once the payment has been processed, unless indicated otherwise. The Certificate of Occupancy will print the following business day after all final inspections are complete.

For inspections needed after normal business hours, see After Hours Inspections.

Guide Home Page

For More Information Contact:
Cornelia Stallings
Staff Support Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza, 5th Floor
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2500

Brenda Bailey
Staff Support Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza, 5th Floor
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2500

Barbara Simpson
Staff Support Specialist
Inspections Department
One Exchange Plaza, 5th Floor
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-516-2500

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