Building Inspections

Required inspections

• Do not proceed with additional work until the appropriate inspection has been made and approval given to continue.
• Permits are required to be posted so that they are easily visible from the street or road of the address shown on the building permit.
• Plans shall be on site for all inspections.

Footing inspections

• The lot line strings shall be in place. The footing trench and pier holes shall be inspected prior to placing concrete.
• Plumbing under slab inspection
• All plumbing shall be installed per code with a full head on a 10’ stack minimum. All joints shall be exposed.
• Slab inspections
• All bulkheads, grade stakes, strings, batter boards and poly liner should be in place at the time of inspection.

Saw pole inspections

• All saw service poles are required to be inspected before the release for temporary power can be forwarded to the power company. The saw pole inspection is normally scheduled for the same time as the footing inspection.
• Foundation wall or pier & curtain inspections:
• Foundation walls and pier & curtain walls must be in place and inspected prior to further construction taking place. If curtain walls are not in place, code compliant masonry attachments such as ladder wire shall be in place for the pier and curtain inspection.

Exterior sheathing inspection

• This is a required inspection.
• During this inspection, the nail pattern for your exterior sheathing will be inspected (example – many nail pattern requirements are 6 inches in the perimeter and 12 inches in the field. This will vary with product and wall bracing method).
• This inspection must be requested prior to the installation of house wrap.

House wrap inspection

• This is an optional inspection.
• During this inspection, the installation of the house wrap, window and flashing installation is inspected.
• You have this inspection done as an optional stand alone inspection to proceed with installation of the house exterior or you can wait and have the house wrap, windows and flashing inspected during the framing rough.

Rough-in inspections

• The finished floor should not be installed. All plumbing, heating and electrical work shall be roughed-in. All exterior door and windows shall be set, properly flashed and sealed. All exterior wood trim must be primed and roof installation complete. The building must be weather tight. A pressure test is required on all plumbing supply and waste lines. A pressure test is also required on installed gas lines at this time. Seal all exterior penetrations. All draft stopping and fire blocking must be complete. All inserts will be installed and capped. Do not install insulation until rough-in inspection(s) are passed. Insulation will be a separate inspection after the roughs have passed. (starting November 1, 2011)
• Please note that as of April 1, 2012, the framing rough, plumbing rough, mechanical rough and electrical roughs will be 4 separate inspections. They can be requested separately on different dates, or together. The framing rough should be last with all draft and fire stop complete.

Insulation inspection

• All insulation except the insulation in the attic space shall be in place and properly installed per manufacturer’s specifications.

Temporary electrical

• Prior to final inspection, an inspection is required for temporary electrical service. All wiring, appliance, luminaries, receptacle and smoke detector installation must be complete with face plates installed.
• Final inspection:
• Power must be on before the final inspection is scheduled. The address must be posted on the house with numbers a minimum of 3” in height. If your house is located more than 50’ from the road or street, the address will also be posted on the mailbox. The property shall be complete in all respects, all equipment in place and the property ready for occupancy. Walks, drives, grading and landscaping complete. Grading and yard work must be completed in such a manner as to divert water away from the building and off the lot so as to avoid erosion potential.

Failed inspections

• If the inspector finds that the work performed is not code compliant or of poor workmanship the permit holder is required to make the necessary corrections and call for the work to be re-inspected.
• If a second inspection is failed a re-inspection fee will be due before any additional inspections are performed. This fee must be paid in person or by mail to the Richland County Planning Department, Building Inspections Division, 2020 Hampton Street, P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202. No certificate of occupancy will be issued until fees are paid in full.
• No occupancy of a structure shall be allowed without a certificate of occupancy being issued.
• Certificate of occupancy and refuse roll carts cannot be obtained without a passed final inspection.

To schedule an inspection

• Any of the above inspections or reinspections can be scheduled by calling 803-576-2140 or by going online to use. For initial online instructions, please contact our permit counter at 803-576-2140.