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:
- Checking results
-
-or-
- Call 703-228-3700 for your pass/fail status.
- Instructions for using the phone system to check the status of:
- Finding the name of the assigned inspector on the morning of an inspection
Virtual Inspections
Many building and trade inspections can now be completed virtually.
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.
Typically (minimum) required inspections for residential projects
Schedule residential building inspections using the automated phone system: 703-228-3700. Follow the instructions below and use the codes in this table of typical (minimum) inspections. Your project may require additional inspections not listed here. See All Residential Inspection Codes (below this table and below the scheduling instructions).
Inspection Type |
Permit Type |
When |
Code |
Footing |
Building |
Before pouring concrete |
102 |
Groundwork |
Plumbing |
Before backgrading |
304 |
Slab |
Building |
Before pouring concrete |
103 |
Foundation Walls |
Building |
Before pouring concrete walls, or for reinforced Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) walls |
104 |
Backfill |
Building |
After waterproofing or before backfilling |
106 |
Rough-in |
Electrical
Mechanical
Plumbing
|
Before covering work and 1st gas test (if applicable) |
713
501
305
|
Framing* |
Building |
After or on the same day as rough-in trades** |
108 |
Braced Wall Nailing |
Building |
Before building wrap or windows installed |
125 |
Insulation |
Building |
After insulating (allows close-in) |
109 |
Gas Test |
Plumbing |
Before concealing gas piping |
306 |
Final |
Electrical
Mechanical
Plumbing
|
After work is complete |
712
505
309
|
Final |
Building |
After or on the same day as final trades, before Certificate of Occupancy |
118 |
Certificate of Occupancy |
Certificate of Occupancy |
After finals; apply for CO at least 2 weeks prior to occupancy |
Cannot be scheduled with IVR system; see Submission Process & Inspections |
*Rough-in and framing can be scheduled the same day. All rough-in must pass, or framing will automatically fail.
**If a wall check is required by the Zoning Division, Zoning must approve the wall check prior to the framing inspection.
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.
Residential Building Codes
Schedule residential building inspections using the automated phone system: 703-228-3700. Use the codes to schedule the type of inspection you need for your permit. Listen to the prompt carefully and follow the instructions.
Code [1] |
Type |
102 |
FOOTINGS |
103 |
SLAB BUILDING |
104 |
FOUNDATION WALL |
106 |
BACKFILL |
107 |
WATERPROOFING |
108 |
FRAMING |
109 |
INSULATION |
112 |
FIREPLACE/WOODSTOVE |
113 |
STOOP |
114 |
STEEL |
117 |
ROOFING |
118 |
FINAL |
119 |
GENERAL BUILDING |
120 |
FIRE DAMAGE |
121 |
SEWER CAP DEMO |
125 |
WALL BRACING |
Residential Electrical Codes
Schedule residential electrical inspections using the automated phone system: 703-228-3700. Use the codes to schedule the type of inspection you need for your permit. Listen to the prompt carefully and follow the instructions.
Code [7] |
Type |
701 |
TEMPORARY POWER |
702 |
DITCH CONCEALMENT |
703 |
CONCEALMENT |
705 |
SERVICE |
707 |
GENERATOR |
709 |
BONDING |
712 |
FINAL ELECTRICAL |
713 |
GENERAL ELECTRICAL |
Residential Mechanical Codes
Schedule residential mechanical inspections using the automated phone system: 703-228-3700. Use the codes to schedule the type of inspection you need for your permit. Listen to the prompt carefully and follow the instructions.
Code [5] |
Type |
501 |
ROUGH MECHANICAL |
503 |
TANK INSTALLATION |
504 |
TANK REMOVAL |
505 |
FINAL MECHANICAL |
506 |
GENERAL MECHANICAL |
523 |
MECHANICAL CERT OF OCCUP |
Small Appliance
Residential Plumbing Codes
Schedule residential plumbing inspections using the automated phone system: 703-228-3700. Use the codes to schedule the type of inspection you need for your permit. Listen to the prompt carefully and follow the instructions.
Code [3] |
Type |
301 |
SEWER |
302 |
WATER SERVICE |
304 |
GROUNDWORK |
305 |
ROUGH PLUMBING |
306 |
GAS PRESSURE TEST |
307 |
SEWER CAP-OFF PLUMBING |
309 |
FINAL PLUMBING |
310 |
GENERAL PLUMBING |
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, 777KB) 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.
Commercial Building Codes
Schedule commercial building inspections using the automated phone system: 703-228-3700. Use the codes to schedule the type of inspection you need for your permit. Listen to the prompt carefully and follow the instructions.
Code [2] |
Type |
201 |
SHEETING/SHORING |
202 |
FOOTING |
203 |
SLAB BUILDING |
204 |
FOUNDATION WALLS |
206 |
BACKFILL |
208 |
FRAMING |
210 |
WALL CLOSE-IN |
211 |
CEILING CLOSE-IN |
214 |
STEEL |
215 |
MATERIAL LIFT |
216 |
SYSTEMS FURNITURE BUILDING |
217 |
ROOFING |
218 |
FINAL BUILDING |
219 |
GENERAL BUILDING |
220 |
FIRE DAMAGE |
221 |
SEWER CAP DEMO |
222 |
ADDITIONAL TIME |
Commercial Electrical Codes
Schedule commercial electrical inspections using the automated phone system: 703-228-3700. Use the codes to schedule the type of inspection you need for your permit. Listen to the prompt carefully and follow the instructions.
Code [8] |
Type |
801 |
TEMPORARY POWER |
802 |
DITCH CONCEALMENT |
803 |
CONCEALMENT |
804 |
SLAB |
805 |
SERVICE |
806 |
SITE LIGHTING |
807 |
GENERATOR |
808 |
SYSTEMS FURNITURE ELECTRICAL |
809 |
BONDING |
810 |
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE |
811 |
DOOR LOCKING SYSTEMS |
812 |
FINAL ELECTRICAL |
813 |
GENERAL ELECTRICAL |
822 |
ADDITIONAL TIME |
Commercial Mechanical Codes
Schedule commercial mechanical inspections using the automated phone system: 703-228-3700. Use the codes to schedule the type of inspection you need for your permit. Listen to the prompt carefully and follow the instructions.
Code [6] |
Type |
601 |
ROUGH MECHANICAL |
602 |
BOILER |
603 |
TANK INSTALLATION |
604 |
TANK REMOVAL |
605 |
FINAL MECHANICAL |
606 |
GENERAL MECHANICAL |
622 |
ADDITIONAL TIME |
Commercial Plumbing Codes
Schedule commercial plumbing inspections using the automated phone system: 703-228-3700. Use the codes to schedule the type of inspection you need for your permit. Listen to the prompt carefully and follow the instructions.
Code [4] |
Type |
401 |
SEWER |
402 |
WATER SERVICE |
403 |
FIRE MAIN WATER SERVICE |
404 |
GROUNDWORK |
405 |
ROUGH PLUMBING |
406 |
GAS PRESSURE TEST |
407 |
SEWER CAP-OFF PLUMBING |
408 |
CROSS-CONNECTION |
409 |
FINAL PLUMBING |
410 |
GENERAL PLUMBING |
422 |
ADDITIONAL TIME |
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