Building and Trade Inspections
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 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
- Log into the Permit Arlington customer portal and search for the permit number in the upper right corner.
- Click on the permit number. Note, only permits that are issued awaiting inspections can schedule inspections.
- Click on “Record Info”
- Click on “Inspections”
- Click on “Schedule or Request an Inspection”
- Select the inspection type
- Select the day of the inspection. Note, you cannot select a date for fire inspections, and we cannot provide a time or time window for any inspection while scheduling it.
- Inspections requested before 5 p.m. will be completed within 24 hours. Inspections requested after 5 p.m. will be completed within 48 hours.
- For fire and energy inspections, you will need to provide a contact name and phone number by clicking on "Change Contact". An Inspection Services Division staff member or the assigned energy inspector will contact you to coordinate and finalize the date and time of the inspection.
If you need to schedule multiple inspections or inspections across different permits, you will need to follow these steps for each inspection and permit separately.
Finding Assigned Inspector
- The morning of the inspection, log in to Permit Arlington
- Search for the permit number in the upper right corner
- Click on the permit number
- Click on "Record Info"
- Click on "Inspections"
- Click on "actions" next to the inspection scheduled for that day
- Click on "view details"
- Click on "view status history"
- The assigned inspector will appear under the status history
- Use the directory to contact your inspector
Checking results
- Log into Permit Arlington
- Search for the permit number in the upper right corner
- Click on the permit number
- Click on “Record Info”
- Click on “Inspections”
- Below the text “Schedule or Request an Inspection” the history of the inspection requests and results are available
Finding the name of the assigned inspector on the morning of an inspection
- The applicant and any contacts listed on the application will receive an email with the inspector’s name and phone number between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on the day of your inspection.
After receiving the email on the inspection day, text your inspector the following:
- Permit number
- Type of inspection
- Cell phone number of the person who will be walking the inspection site
- Email address of the person who will be walking the inspection site
- Method of video call you intend to use (Google Duo, FaceTime, or Microsoft Teams)
Your inspector will give you an approximate time window in which your inspection will take place.
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, plumbing, demolition, and possible fire or elevator. Residential additions and alterations require some of these inspections.
Typically (minimum) required inspections for residential projects
Your project may require additional inspections not listed here. See All Residential Inspection options available in the Permit Arlington system.
| Inspection Type |
Permit Type |
When |
| Footing |
Building |
Before pouring concrete |
| Groundwork |
Plumbing |
Before backgrading |
| Slab |
Building |
Before pouring concrete |
| Foundation Walls |
Building |
Before pouring concrete walls, or for reinforced Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) walls |
| Backfill |
Building |
After waterproofing or before backfilling |
| Rough |
Electrical
Mechanical
Plumbing
|
Before covering work and 1st gas test (if applicable) |
| Framing* |
Building |
After or on the same day as rough-in trades** |
| Wall Bracing |
Building |
Prior to exterior house wrap or taping zip panels |
| Insulation |
Building |
After insulating (allows close-in) |
| Gas Pressure Test |
Plumbing |
Before concealing gas piping |
| Final |
Electrical
Mechanical
Plumbing
|
After work is complete |
| Final |
Building |
After or on the same day as final trades, before Certificate of Occupancy |
| Certificate of Occupancy (CO) |
CO |
After finals; apply for CO at least 2 weeks prior to occupancy |
*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. Submit the wall check on the building permit through the amendment option in Permit Arlington.
Typically (minimum) required inspections for residential deck
| Inspection Type |
Permit Type |
When |
| Footing |
Building |
Footing holes are inspected prior to concrete placement. At the time of the footing inspection, you must have the ledger board attached to the existing house. |
| Framing* |
Building |
Joists, beams, connections, and mechanical attachments are inspected prior to placement of decking. In this inspection, lag screws, thru bolts, and expansion anchors at the ledger board are inspected and turned to insure proper installation and tightening. Access to the the inside of the house may be required. |
| Final |
Building |
All remaining items are inspected. |
*Rough-in and framing can be scheduled the same day. All rough-in must pass, or framing will automatically fail.
Commercial Inspections
See the Pre-Construction Manual for guidance about commercial projects.
Disclaimer: This is not a complete list of required commercial inspections.
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: AfterHourInspection@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