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Building and fire inspections
Permitting building and fire inspectors inspect residential and commercial building projects that are under construction in unincorporated King County for compliance with King County Building Codes.
Scheduling or canceling an inspection
- You can request an inspection up to five days in advance. To request an inspection for the next business day, enter the request before 3 p.m.
- The number, locations, and types of inspections requested for any specific day can vary significantly, so we may not be able to do your inspection on the date requested. An inspector will call you at the contact number you provide if we need to schedule the inspection for a different day.
- Building inspections: You may check online after 8 a.m. on the inspection date to confirm your inspection and get the estimated time of your inspection. If you provide a contact phone number in your inspection request, you may also receive an automated phone message with your estimated inspection time.
- Fire inspections: Your inspection request is not confirmed until you receive a call from the assigned Fire Inspector, you will receive a return call in the following business days to schedule a specific date and time.
Required inspections
- After King County issues a building permit, inspections are required at different stages of the project.
- Construction or work must remain visible and available for inspection until the inspection has been completed and approved.
- The permit holder is responsible for contacting King County Permits to request required inspections.
Required inspection types:
Actual required inspections vary based on project scope. Typical inspections include:
- Pre-construction conference
- Footing and foundation
- Underfloor
- Lowest floor elevation (for projects in flood hazard areas)
- Shear wall
- Plumbing,* mechanical, gas,* and electrical** rough-ins
- Framing
- Insulation
- Drywall and/or fire-resistance-rated construction
- Final
*Plumbing and gas piping inspections are done by Public Health–Seattle and King County.
**Electrical inspections are done by Washington State Labor & Industries.
For residential projects, visit MyBuildingPermit.com for inspection checklists that include items commonly written up during the inspection process.
Pre-construction conference
- Required for all new construction
- Must be requested before any work begins
- Request this inspection using the scheduling instructions above
- Allow up to two working days for the conference to be scheduled