Schedule an Inspection
For more details on Inspection Scheduling - Automated Systems, see our handout: Guidelines to Using the Automated Plan Status & Inspection Scheduling Systems.
At various stages during construction, inspections must be performed by County staff to ensure the work has been done according to approved plans and building code requirements.
To access the Automated Systems, go to eInspections online at www.pwcgov.org/eInspections or call the Automated Phone System at 703-792-6970 (touch tone users only) to:
- Schedule Inspections
- Cancel or Reschedule Inspections
- Obtain Inspection Results
- Automated System for Plan Review Status and Comments
(Rotary telephone users may call the Permits Branch at 703-792-6924 to schedule inspections.)
Both systems are available seven days a week, including holidays except for data back-up and maintenance nightly from 2 to 7:30 a.m.
Inspections must be scheduled by 3 p.m. on the work day prior to the desired date of the inspection. When requesting information or scheduling inspections from the automated phone system, the system will 'speak' back to you and provide important information: the permit number, the site address, and the type of inspection. Please listen to this information carefully for verification.
Residential One- and Two-Family (IRC) Inspections for construction of new dwelling units, additions, alterations, and basement finishing using the IRC code are in the Combination Inspection Program. The inspection codes for combination concealment (198) and combination final (199) are under the Building heading.
To Schedule an Inspection
Go to eInspections at www.pwcgov.org/eInspections or call the Automated Phone System at 703-792-6970 to schedule an inspection.
On the Automated Phone System press one (1) to schedule an inspection. When prompted, enter your permit number. After entering your permit number, follow the instructions to enter the inspection code from the listing below. If requested, enter your telephone number.
Areas of Inspections:
| Building Inspections |
Electrical Inspections |
| Gas Inspections |
Mechanical Inspections |
| Plumbing Inspections |
Residential Limited Repair |
| Storage Tank Inspections |
Fire Marshal Inspections |
To Cancel or Reschedule an Inspection
Go to eInspections at www.pwcgov.org/eInspections or call the Automated Phone System 703-792-6970 to cancel or reschedule an inspection.
You may use the automated system to cancel inspections until 8.30 p.m. on the workday prior to the scheduled inspection day. On the Automated Phone System, press two (2) to cancel the inspection and follow the instructions.
After 8.30 p.m. on the day before, and until 7:30 a.m. on the inspection day, you may cancel an inspection by calling the Inspections Office at 703-792-7006. Please leave a message with the following information:
- The permit number
- The inspection number and type of inspection you are canceling
- The map page and grid # for the project (from the ADC map book)
- Your name and phone number
After 7:30 a.m. on the inspection day, you may cancel an inspection for that day by calling the Inspections Office at 703-792-7006. You must cancel the inspection by 8 a.m. to avoid paying the cancellation fee.
To Obtain Inspection Results
Go to eInspections at www.pwcgov.org/eInspections or call the Automated Phone System at 703-792-6970 to obtain inspection results.
You can also use either of the automated systems to learn the results of an inspection. On the Automated Phone System, press three (3) to obtain inspection results. Enter your permit number and the inspection code. The system is designed so that you can obtain inspection results shortly after the inspection has occurred.
Note: All final inspections shall be approved before a certificate of use and occupancy will be issued. In addition to the above inspections, your project may require approval of one or more of the following areas prior to issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy.
1. Fire Marshal: All non-residential and some multi-family construction must be inspected by the Fire Marshal prior to occupancy. Call 703-792-6486 to schedule a pre-occupancy inspection or for more information.
2. Health Department: All occupancies using individual wells and/or septic systems AND food service establishments must have Health Department approval prior to occupancy. Call 703-792-6310 for further information.
3. Service Authority: All occupancies using public water and sewer must have work completed and obtain Service Authority, Virginia American Water or Dale Service Corporation approval before receiving a certificate for use and occupancy. Call the Service Authority at 703-335-7930 for inspections or for more information. The Dale Service Corporation may be reached at 703-590-4495. Contact Virginia American Water at 703-491-2136.
4. Site Inspection: A certificate of use and occupancy will not be issued until all site work has been completed. The inspection will ensure the work conforms to the approved site or subdivision plan. For more information call 703-792-7070.
Inspection Codes Lists
Building Inspections
| 101 Footing – Retaining Wall |
115 Insulation (No mechanical permit) |
| 102 Footing – Pier/Deck |
116 Structural Steel – Building |
| 103 Footing – Buildings |
117 Swimming Pool Steel |
| 104 Backfill – Retaining Wall |
118 Final Inspection – Retaining Wall |
| 105 Backfill – Buildings |
120 Lot Grading Final |
| 106 Basement Slab |
121 Swimming Pool Final |
| 107 Garage Slab |
122 Fireproofing |
| 108 Porch Slab |
123 Party/Separation Wall |
| 109 Other Slab |
125 Third Party Building Certification |
| 110 Chimney Throat |
126 Lot Escrow Release Inspection |
| 111 Poured Concrete Wall |
150 Final Inspection – Building |
| 112 Wall Concealment – Building |
151 Residential Final (Decks Minor Work) |
| 113 Ceiling Concealment – Building |
198 Residential Combination Concealment |
| 114 Building Concealment – Building |
199 Residential Combination Final |
| 301 Mechanical Groundwork |
306 Equipment Only |
| 302 Wall Concealment – Mechanical |
307 Insulation |
| 303 Ceiling Concealment – Mechanical |
308 Hydronic Test |
| 304 Mechanical Concealment |
350 Mechanical Final |
| 305 Ductwork Only |
|
| 701 Concealment/Gas Test |
750 Gas Final |
Electrical Inspections
| 201 Service – Temporary on Pole |
210 Pool Concealment |
| 202 Electrical Service** |
211 Wall Concealment – Electrical |
| 203 Grounding Electrodes |
212 Ceiling Concealment – Electrical |
| 204 Electrical Groundwork |
213 Electrical Concealment |
| 205 Post Light Trench |
214 Panel Boards |
| 206 Septic Trench |
215 Swimming Pool Final |
| 207 Well Trench |
225 Third Party Electrical Certification |
| 208 Other Electrical Trench |
250 Electrical Final |
| 209 Pool Bonding |
|
**Electrical Service Inspections for Single Family Homes and Townhouses: The 202 Electrical Service Inspection must be called in at the same time as the 198 Building Combination Concealment Inspection.
Plumbing Inspections
| 401 Groundwork |
408 Roof Drains |
| 402 Well Trench |
409 Backflow Device |
| 403 Water Service |
410 Wall Concealment – Plumbing |
| 404 Sewer Lateral |
411 Ceiling Concealment – Plumbing |
| 405 Sewer & Water |
412 Plumbing Concealment |
| 406 Sewer & Water & Groundwork |
414 Swimming Pool Final |
| 407 Storm Sewer |
450 Plumbing Final |
Residential Limited Repair
| 501 Gas – Piping Test |
550 Limited Repair Final |
| 502 Concealment |
|
| 601 Tank Test/Air Pressure Test |
604 Closure – Removal or Abandon in Place |
| 602 Tank Placement (with or without Deadmen) |
650 Storage Tank Final |
| 603 Piping Test |
|
Fire Marshal Inspections
Please note: Not all Fire Marshal Inspections are currently able to be scheduled through the Automated System. Call the Fire Marshal's Office at 703-792-6360 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to schedule inspections for the following day. The Fire Marshal must be contacted regarding any permits associated with fire protection.
| 059 Underground Visual |
073 Fire Alarm |
| 060 Underground Hydro |
074 Fire Alarm Battery Test |
| 061 Underground Flush |
081 Fire Alarm Final |
| 062 Sprinkler Hydro |
082 Underground Fire Main Final |
| 063 Sprinkler Alarm/Flow |
083 Sprinkler Visual |
| 064 Sprinkler Trip |
084 Sprinkler Breezeway Loop Hydro |
| 066 Wet Sprinkler Final |
085 Sprinkler Breezeway Loop Visual |
| 067 Standpipe Hydro |
086 Sprinkler Breezeway Loop Flush |
| 068 Standpipe Flow |
087 Sprinkler 4-Head Flow Test |
| 069 Clean Agent Test |
088 Dry Sprinkler Final |
| 070 Hood |
146 Final Inspection - Shell |
| 071 Dry Chemical |
148 Furniture Storage |
| 072 Fire Pump |
149 Pre-Occupancy |