Inspections

building inspector looking at building
All construction projects must be inspected to ensure they comply with current building codes and local ordinances. When you receive your building permit, we will let you know which inspections are required for your project.

An approved inspection keeps your building permit active for another 180 days. To reinstate your permit, you will be required to pay additional fees.


Scheduling

You must schedule an inspection at least one business day in advance (half day for driveway approaches and sidewalks), but inspection lead times vary depending upon our work load.

  • To schedule inspections for pouring concrete, residential underslab plumbing, commercial finals and occupied homes, call 913.477.7500.

  • To schedule all other inspections, use our online application and permitting tool.


Commercial inspections

Required commercial inspections include:

  • Footing

  • Groundwork plumbing

  • Temporary electrical service

  • Sewer (inspected by Johnson County Wastewater, 913.715.8500)

  • Storm drains - private (inspected by third party)

  • Rough-in electrical (included in above ceiling)

  • Rough-in (in-wall electric.and framing)

  • Rough-in HVAC (included in above ceiling)

  • Rough-in plumbing

  • Permanent electrical service

  • Kitchen hood/grease duct (drop light test required)

  • Gas pressure test

  • Sheetrock / screw pattern (firewalls before taping)

  • Elevator shaft

  • Elevator acceptance test

  • Driveway (Cold weather concrete installation requirements)

  • Drive Approach/Sidewalks

  • HVAC smoke test (included with final inspection)

  • Final occupancy / landscape

Special inspections

If your project includes foundations, structural steel, masonry, concrete, high-strength bolts or welding of structural steel members, you must hire a special inspector. They will need to conduct a special inspection in addition to the regular inspection our staff will complete.

  • The person you hire must be qualified to conduct the inspection, and we must approve your inspector.

  • Our staff will define the inspection protocol.

  • The design professional of record on your project may not conduct the special inspection.

  • The special inspector must submit a written report to us within 48 hours of the inspection.

Special inspections requirements

Fire inspections

Our Fire Department inspects all commercial properties with our building inspectors at the final inspection. They also perform Certificate of Occupancy inspections, which may be coordinated with building inspections. They will also perform inspections at certain phases of projects.


Residential inspections

Required residential inspections include:

  • Footing

  • Foundation wall

  • Underslab plumbing

  • Structural garage / basement slab

  • Connectors / weather-resistant barriers / brace wall panels

  • Rough-in

  • Insulation

  • Electrical service

  • Gas pressure test

  • Sheetrock (only if needed)

  • Lath / stucco

  • Stoop flashing

  • Driveway (Cold weather concrete installation requirements)

  • Drive Approach/Sidewalk

  • Final occupancy

Residential Inspection Guidelines

Residential third-party inspections

  • Blower door tests

Blower door testing and reporting from an approved testing agency shall be provided for all new homes.

We allow third-party inspectors to perform certain inspections on one- and two-family dwellings in lieu of our inspectors. We hope this allows increased flexibility for contractors to have inspections outside of normal city work hours. This includes:

  • Pier foundation systems

  • Footings

  • Elevated and structural slabs

  • Foundation walls

  • Retaining walls

Residential Third Party Wall Inspection Report

Residential Third Party Footing-Slab Inspection Report


Engineering inspections

For site infrastructure (stormwater structures, piping, sidewalks, curbs, pavement, swales, stormwater BMPs, lighting, etc.), we require third-party inspection and certification by a licensed engineer that the infrastructure was installed according to the approved plan. These inspections are required for any permit that contains infrastructure outside of the building (building permits, site development permits, etc.).