Building Services

Inspections

In order to receive final approval for your project, scheduled inspections must be performed by City staff or an approved "special inspector" at various phases to assure compliance with building codes. Requesting necessary inspections is the responsibility of the contractor or homeowner.  There are three options available for scheduling an inspection, online via Citizen Portal, via text by texting 888-406-6394 or by calling 970-221-6769 and following the prompts. Unless another day is specifically requested, inspection requests are performed the following workday if scheduled before 11 PM.  All inspections scheduled on Fridays will be scheduled for the following Monday. 

An inspector will verify that the work being done conforms to the various codes, regulations, laws, and ordinances applicable to that job. The inspector will also check to ensure the work agrees with the approved set of plans issued with the permit. The approved set of plans, stamped by this office, and the building permit/inspection card issued with the permit must be available to the inspector. Otherwise, a re-inspection with additional fees may be assessed.

The following is a list of required inspections in their normal order of completion. Although they all may not be applicable to your particular project, please use it as a general guideline:

1. Temporary Construction Power
   Light and Power will inspect temporary power sets after a meter socket can, disconnect, and ground fault protected receptacles are placed on the building site. The permit for the temporary power set is included with the building permit.
2. Footing Inspection
   This is done after the footing has been formed and any reinforcing steel is installed, but prior to the placement of concrete. Any prescribed below-grade insulation must also be in place.
3. Foundation Inspection
   This is done after the foundation walls have been formed and the reinforcing steel is installed, but also prior to placement of concrete. Any prescribed below-grade insulation must also be in place.
4. Rough-In Underground Plumbing
   This is done after the underground or under slab plumbing is installed but prior to its being covered. (Water test or five psi air test is required).
5. Sewer Inspection
   This is done when the building sewer (that portion of the drainage system from two feet outside the building to public sewer) is installed, and prior to its being covered.
6. Water Service
   This is done when the water service piping from the City stop valve to the building is in its place and prior to its being covered. A water test if couplings are used.
7. Water Meter Setting Inspection
   The water meter setting must pass inspection before the Certificate of Occupancy or a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.
8. Sheathing/Pre-siding/Shear Inspection (Schedule as Rough Frame) 
   This is done prior to applying the weather barrier/building wrap, and siding to ensure the sheathing is installed correctly for structural purposes. Once this inspection is passed, the building can be dried-in. Note: Citizen Access workflow will show this inspection as "incomplete" with details of the passing sheathing inspection. A second rough frame inspection will need to be scheduled at a later time (See #15 below).
9. Gas Line Air Test
   This shall be made after gas piping, fittings, unions, and valves authorized by the permit have been installed and before any such piping has been covered or concealed or any fixture or appliance has been attached thereto. (A 10 psi air test is required).
10. Plumbing Top-Out and Water Test
    This is done after the above ground plumbing (water and drainage piping) is installed, prior to the framing inspection (water test five psi air test is required). Piping must not be covered until after the framing inspection, and where applicable, concurrent with the framing inspection.
11. Electrical Energize
    The Electrical energize is done when the permanent meter is set. The electrical service equipment must be installed and bonded to a grounding electrode and a ground fault protected receptacle must also be installed. This inspection authorizes utilities to energize equipment when requested by the contractor for electric service to facilitate construction. All energized parts should be suitably protected against accidental contacts after they are energized.
12. Rough Heating Inspection
    This is done after the heating plant, vent, and duct work has been installed. This inspection should also precede or be concurrent with the framing inspection.
13. Electrical Rough-In Inspection
    This is done after the premises wiring system has been installed, and it should precede or be concurrent with the framing inspection.
14. Fireplace Inspection
    This is also done concurrently with the frame inspection about midway in the laying-up of a masonry fireplace while the lintel across the opening is visible and the smoke chamber can be easily seen and its wall thickness noted. For a factory built fireplace, it should be inspected after the fireplace, the chimney, the chimney framing and the fire stopping is completed, but prior to covering the shaft or fireplace framing members.
15. Frame and Roof Inspection
    This is done after the structures walls, floors, and other framing members are in place and after the exterior sheathing has been installed. Additionally, the roof must be completed to the point where the building interior can be considered to be weather protected. All of the sub-systems such as plumbing, mechanical, and electrical must be inspected prior to the installation of wallboard, interior sheathing and insulation. Residential buildings must comply with the "Residential Air Sealing Checklist".
16. Insulation Inspection
    After approval of the framing inspection, insulation may be installed. Prior to the installation of wallboard, an insulation inspection is required which will verify proper R values, air sealing, insulation fire blocking, and general workmanship as required in the Fort Collins Energy Code.
17. Final Inspection
    This is done after all work shown on the approved plans has been completed.

Certificate Of Occupancy And/Or Letter Of Completion

Downloads
Certificate of Occupancy Checklist

For new buildings, a Certificate of Occupancy is required prior to occupying the building. In certain cases for other than single-family homes, a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy can be issued pending minor remaining items awaiting completion or where only portions of the building are complete. For alteration and projects which do not add significantly to the building space, a Letter of Completion is issued. Other departments may require final approvals prior to issuing a Certificate of Occupancy.

Notice To Building Permit Holders

Downloads
Building Permit Application
(for all construction other than over-the-counter, editable)

Please be advised under Fort Collins City Code, the building permit holder is responsible for the following.

1. Notifying Building Services when the project is ready for inspection. Do this by calling the inspection voice mail system at 970-221-6769 and be ready to provide the permit number, address, and type of inspection needed.

2. Providing access and means for inspections, including:

• ensuring the components to be inspected are readily visible and are not concealed or permanently covered; and
• ensuring access to the work to be inspected is readily available by temporary stairs, ladder, or other necessary means to perform the inspection.

Maintaining the permit on active status to avoid expiration. Do this by commencing the work that was authorized by the permit and scheduling and inspection within 180 days from the date of the permit issuance. If no inspections have been scheduled within 180 days from the date of permit issuance, or if the period between inspections exceeds 180 days, the permit will automatically become null and void, and will be cleared from our system without further notice to the permit holder, unless the building permit holder notifies the Building & Zoning office, in writing, of their need for an extension (see below).

A building permit holder may be granted a 180-day extension provided they are able to show that circumstances beyond the control of the permit holder prevented the commencement of the work that was authorized by the permit. This extension request must be made prior to the expiration date of the permit. If any expiration period passes and no extension is requested or granted, the building permit holder must obtain a new permit in order to recommence the work. If the new permit is applied for prior to one year from the date the original permit was issued or, if work was done; from the date of the last inspection, the cost of the new permit with be half of the current building permit fee.

Once activity has ceased on a building permit in excess of one year, the building permit holder must apply for a new permit and pay the full building permit fee in order to resume construction.

Final inspections and approvals are required prior to occupancy, or use of equipment or space authorized by this permit. Violators shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, subject to fines of $1,000 and/or 180 days imprisonment. Sections 5-29 and I-15; Code of the City of Fort Collins.