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 – 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 $14.00 (check or money order made payable to the Wake County Register of Deeds) must be submitted to the City of Raleigh, Construction Division
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

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 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 are made at the City of Raleigh’s cashier office located at the One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404 Raleigh NC
Sewer Release – $14.00 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
Re-inspection fees – $62.00 per trade, if inspection has been rejected. Checks are made payable to: City of Raleigh and delievered to the Inspections Department cashiers, located at One Exchange Plaza, Suite 404. Re-inspection fees must be payable prior to inspection being rescheduled
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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