What is a building inspection and when do I need one?
A building inspection is an on-site review by a code official to verify that construction work complies with approved plans and applicable codes. Inspections are required at specific milestones during construction.
What to do first
A building inspection is an on-site review by a code official to verify that construction work complies with approved plans and applicable codes. Inspections are required at specific milestones during construction.
Printable checklist
- Read the issued permit and approved plans for the required inspection list.
- Schedule inspections before concrete, insulation, drywall, backfill, or other concealment.
- Keep the permit card and approved plan set available at the site.
- Make the work safe and accessible for the inspector.
- Record the result and correct failed items before proceeding where required.
- Obtain the final approval or closeout record when work is complete.
How this works in practice
Building inspections are required checkpoints during construction where a code official visits the site to verify compliance with approved plans and building codes.
Common inspection types
- Foundation/footing inspection: Before pouring concrete, after forms and rebar are in place
- Underground plumbing/electrical: Before covering with concrete or backfill
- Framing inspection: After framing is complete but before insulation and drywall
- Rough-in inspections: Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems before walls are closed
- Insulation inspection: After insulation is installed, before drywall
- Drywall inspection: After drywall is hung (in some jurisdictions)
- Final inspection: After all work is complete, before occupancy
How inspections work
- Schedule the inspection through your building department (often online or by phone)
- Make sure the work is ready and accessible for the inspector
- Have your approved plans and permit on site
- The inspector examines the work against the approved plans and code
- You receive a pass, conditional pass, or fail result
- If you fail, correct the issues and reschedule
Tips for successful inspections
- Do not cover or conceal work before it has been inspected
- Ensure the inspector can safely access all areas to be inspected
- Have your permit card and approved plans visible and accessible
- Be present or have your contractor present to answer questions
- Address all items on the approved plans — inspectors check against what was approved
What an application can look like
These examples show how a project scope typically turns into an application packet. The issuing authority decides the exact forms, documents, and reviews for a property.
Residential deck
A new elevated rear-yard deck attached to an existing home.
Construct a 12 ft × 16 ft attached rear deck, approximately 30 in above grade, with pressure-treated framing, code-compliant guards and stairs, and concrete footings below the locally required depth.
Typical application material
- Permit application describing size, height, materials, and attachment
- Dimensioned site plan showing lot lines, house, deck, and setbacks
- Framing, footing, guard, stair, and ledger details
- Contractor or owner-builder information where the authority requires it
Likely review touchpoints
- Zoning placement and lot coverage
- Structural and building-code review
- Footing, framing, and final inspections
Home addition
A one-story conditioned addition connected to an existing house.
Construct a 14 ft × 20 ft one-story conditioned rear addition containing a family room; extend the existing foundation, framing, electrical, HVAC, and roofing systems; no new plumbing fixtures.
Typical application material
- Survey or site plan with the proposed footprint
- Architectural floor plans and elevations
- Foundation, framing, and structural details
- Energy, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC information as applicable
Likely review touchpoints
- Zoning and site constraints before plan review
- Building, energy, and trade-code review
- Foundation, rough-in, framing, insulation, and final inspections
EV charger / electrical work
A hard-wired Level 2 charger on a new dedicated circuit.
Install one 48A hard-wired Level 2 EVSE on a dedicated 60A, 240V branch circuit from the existing 200A service panel; route conductors through the attached garage and mount EVSE on the interior wall.
Typical application material
- Electrical permit application and equipment specifications
- Circuit size, conductor, breaker, and EVSE rating
- Panel schedule or load calculation when required
- Service-upgrade information if existing capacity is insufficient
Likely review touchpoints
- Electrical-code review
- Utility coordination if the service or meter must change
- Electrical inspection before final energization where required
Active City of Chicago permits currently in the GovCodex Illinois permit corpus.
Median application-to-issue interval 1 day; median recorded fee $350.
Median application-to-issue interval 22 days; median recorded fee $825.
Largest classified family in the loaded Chicago corpus; median recorded fee $75.
Snapshot checked September 28, 2026. GovCodex Illinois permit data currently reflects 842,269 active City of Chicago permit records loaded from the City of Chicago dataset, with issue dates from January 3, 2006 through July 24, 2026. Historical counts, elapsed time, and recorded fees describe observed permits only. They do not determine whether a permit is required, predict approval, or replace the issuing authority’s current rules and fee schedule.
What else to know
Inspections are tied to construction sequence
An inspection is most useful while the relevant work is visible. Footings, underground utilities, framing, rough trades, insulation, and final conditions are commonly checked at different stages because later work can hide the evidence.
A passed inspection is scope-specific
Passing one inspection does not necessarily approve the entire project. Track which discipline and phase was inspected, what conditions were noted, and whether a final inspection or occupancy document is still outstanding.
Check the actual project against the actual property.
Start with the address and scope. GovCodex will identify the relevant authority, requirements, and permit path for the project.
GovCodex
What is a building inspection and when do I need one?
A building inspection is an on-site review by a code official to verify that construction work complies with approved plans and applicable codes. Inspections are required at specific milestones during construction.
Inspection checklist
- Read the issued permit and approved plans for the required inspection list.
- Schedule inspections before concrete, insulation, drywall, backfill, or other concealment.
- Keep the permit card and approved plan set available at the site.
- Make the work safe and accessible for the inspector.
- Record the result and correct failed items before proceeding where required.
- Obtain the final approval or closeout record when work is complete.
Requirements vary by property and jurisdiction. Verify the current issuing authority, permit path, fee schedule, and inspection requirements before starting work.
govcodex.com/answers/what-is-building-inspection