Building and Trade Inspections

Effective March 23, 2020: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many building and trade inspections can be completed virtually. In-person inspections are available on Tuesday and Thursday only. All others have been postponed. View all building-related service changes here.

Once your permits have been approved, you must schedule building and trade inspections to ensure the safety and proper progress of the project. It is the responsibility of the permit holder or the permit holder’s representative to schedule inspections.

Ladders, scaffolds, and testing equipment required to complete inspections must be provided by the permit holder. The person or team present for any inspection must have copies (paper or digital) of all approved plans and support documentation (approved permit, plat, building plans, placards, etc.).

Notify Miss Utility at least 48 hours prior to beginning any excavation work: 1-800-257-7777.

NOTE: To schedule an inspection for a Fence/Retaining Wall or Wall Permit, Sign Permit, Demolition Permit or an Amusement Device Permit, you must use the Permit Arlington customer portal.

Canceling or rescheduling an inspection on the inspection day will result in a re-inspection fee and prevent you from scheduling additional inspections.

Scheduling Inspections and Checking Results

The following applies to Residential Building, Commercial Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing inspections.

• Scheduling
  • Schedule via the automated phone system at 703-228-3700.
  • Instructions for using the phone system to schedule:
    • Residential Inspections
    • Commercial Inspections
• Checking results
  • Use the Inspection Detection online tool.

• -or-

  • Call 703-228-3700 for your pass/fail status.
  • Instructions for using the phone system to check the status of:
    • Residential Inspections
    • Commercial Inspections
• Finding the name of the assigned inspector on the morning of an inspection
  • Inspector assignments are not finalized until the morning of inspections.
  • Use the Inspection Detection online tool between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on the day of your inspection to find your inspector’s name.
  • Then look up the inspector’s phone number.

Virtual Inspections

Many building and trade inspections can now be completed virtually.

• View the virtual inspection process 

Residential Inspections

New residential construction must adhere to all of the required inspections, including (but not limited to) building, mechanical, electrical, fire, elevator, and demolition. Residential additions and alterations require some of these inspections.

Schedule Using the Automated Phone System

Call 703-228-3700.

Press 1, then select from the following for the type of permit:

• Building: Press 1
• Electrical: Press 2
• Mechanical: Press 3
• Plumbing: Press 4

Once you select the type of permit, enter the numbers of the permit. For example, if the permit is P2104517, enter 2104517.

The phone system will provide the permit number and address, then prompt you to enter the inspection code.

You must use the three-digit numerical codes that appear in the drop-down tables below (see All Residential Inspection Codes).

Listen to the options for the date of the inspection and press the corresponding number. Pressing 1 will schedule for the soonest available business day.

Wait until the system confirms the inspection is scheduled before hanging up.

If you need to schedule inspections on other permits, please press 3.

You (or the person who will be physically present at the inspection site) must contact the assigned inspector on the day of the inspection between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. to learn the time of the inspection. To learn how to contact the inspector, view the virtual inspection process (Step 3).

All Residential Inspection Codes 

Codes are listed in the order in which inspections should occur.

If you need further assistance or cannot schedule by phone, call 703-228-3800.

Check Inspection Status Using the Automated Phone System

Call 703-228-3700.

Press 3, then select from the following for the type of permit:

• Building: Press 1
• Electrical: Press 2
• Mechanical: Press 3
• Plumbing: Press 4

Once you select the type of permit, enter the numbers of the permit. For example, if the permit is P2104517, enter 2104517.

Then enter the inspection code using the three-digit numerical codes in the drop-down tables above.

The phone system will provide the permit number, address, inspection type, the most recent inspection date, and the pass/fail status of the inspection.

If you need the status of multiple inspections or permits, press the # key to return to the main menu.

Commercial Inspections

See the Pre-Construction Manual(PDF, 784KB)  for guidance about commercial projects. Disclaimer: This is not a complete list of required commercial inspections.

Schedule Using the Automated Phone System

Call 703-228-3700.

Press 1, then select from the following for the type of permit:

• Building: Press 1
• Electrical: Press 2
• Mechanical: Press 3
• Plumbing: Press 4

Once you select the type of permit, enter the numbers of the permit. For example, if the permit is P2104517, enter 2104517.

The phone system will provide the permit number and address, then prompt you to enter the inspection code.

You must use the three-digit numerical codes that appear in the drop-down tables below (see All Commercial Inspection Codes).

Listen to the options for the date of the inspection and press the corresponding number. Pressing 1 will schedule for the soonest available business day.

Wait until the system confirms the inspection is scheduled before hanging up.

If you need to schedule inspections on other permits, please press 3.

You (or the person who will be physically present at the inspection site) must contact the assigned inspector on the day of the inspection between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. to learn the time of the inspection. To learn how to contact the inspector, view the virtual inspection process (Step 3).

All Commercial Inspection Codes 

Codes are listed in the order in which inspections should occur.

If you need further assistance or cannot schedule by phone, call 703-228-3800.

Check Inspection Status Using the Automated Phone System

Call 703-228-3700.

Press 3, then select from the following for the type of permit:

• Building: Press 1
• Electrical: Press 2
• Mechanical: Press 3
• Plumbing: Press 4

Once you select the type of permit, enter the numbers of the permit. For example, if the permit is P2104517, enter 2104517.

Then enter the inspection code using the three-digit numerical codes in the drop-down tables above.

The phone system will provide the permit number, address, inspection type, the most recent inspection date, and the pass/fail status of the inspection.

If you need the status of multiple inspections or permits, press the # key to return to the main menu.

After-Hours Inspections

You may request an inspection outside of our normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m, offices close early on the third Thursday of each month, at 12 p.m.).

Complete a Request for After-Hours Inspection Application and submit it by email to: ISDTradePermits@arlingtonva.us. After-hours inspections must be scheduled at least one week in advance of the intended inspection date. An overtime fee will be charged. The owner or the owner’s authorized agent must be present during the entire inspection.

Other Inspections

• Cross Connection Control Report
• Elevator Inspection
• Fire alarm and sprinkler system inspections
  • Call 703-228-3846 and leave a voicemail with your contact information. County staff will contact you about scheduling your inspection.
• Energy Inspections
  • To schedule, contact:
    • Linda Baskerville (lbaskerville@arlingtonva.us or 703-244-0479)
    • Mike Hamilton (mhamilton@arlingtonva.us or 703-475-8541)
• To schedule an inspection for a Fence/Retaining Wall or Wall Permit, Sign Permit, Demolition Permit, or an Amusement Device Permit, use the Permit Arlington customer portal.
• Special Inspections