Inspections must be performed throughout a construction project as various phases of the project are completed. It is the responsibility of the permit holder, to notify the Building Inspections Division when all applicable work is ready for inspection.

Inspections requested before 3:30 p.m. may be scheduled for the same day, requests received after 3:30 p.m. will be scheduled for the following business day. Final inspections must be scheduled 24-hours in advance.

Inspections may be scheduled with the Building Inspections Division at, 701-355-1465. Inspections may also be scheduled on-line if you are a registered eTRAKiT user.

If you would like to speak to a Building Inspections Division staff member directly, please call the Building Inspections Division at 701-355-1465. Office staff and plans examiners are available from 8 to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday. Inspectors are generally available in the office from 8 to 9:30a.m. 

Building Inspections

Footing: (Property pins must be located and visible to the inspector at the time of inspection.)

• Inspection of the foundation shall be completed after forms are placed, reinforcing steel is in place, and prior to the placing of concrete. The footing inspection shall include monolithic thickened edge slabs intended for the support of bearing walls, partitions, and structural supports.

Foundation: (Property pins must be located and visible to the inspector at the time of inspection.)

• Inspection of the foundation shall be completed after walls have been formed, reinforced steel is in place, and prior to the placement of concrete. Foundation inspections shall include special requirements for wood foundations.

Foundation Drainage (Draintile): 

• Completed after foundation walls have been completed, draintile has been placed and covered with rock and an approved filter material, after dampproofing of the foundation walls has been completed, and prior to backfilling the foundation.

Framing:

• Inspection of framing shall be completed after the all framing, continuous load paths, firestopping, draftstopping, and bracing are in place and after the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-in inspections are approved. The roof covering must be completed, windows and doors installed, and the exterior walls protected with a weather resistive-barrier prior to approval.
• If desired, a framing inspection can be scheduled at any time during the framing process. Please note that final approval of the framing will not be given until all trades (plumbing, mechanical, electrical) are completed, the roof covering is completed, windows and doors installed, and the exterior walls are protected with a water-resistive barrier.

Building Thermal Envelope: (NEW to the 2018 Building Code)

• Inspection of the building thermal envelope must be completed after exterior wall covering has been installed, perimeter insulation has been installed, all penetrations of the building thermal envelope have been sealed, and prior to concealment.  

Fire Resistance-Rated Construction: 

• Where fire-resistance-rated construction is required, an inspection of the fire-resistance rated construction must be completed after gypsum panel products or other fire-resistance rated products are in place, all firestopping has been completed, and prior to concealment.

Final Inspection: 

• A Final Inspection shall be completed after all of the permitted work (building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, etc…) has been completed and prior to occupancy.
  • All projects located in the special flood hazard area (SFHA) or an area removed from the SFHA by a letter of map change (LOMC), must have an elevation certificate documenting the finished construction elevations submitted to the Building Inspections Division prior to scheduling the final inspection.

Electrical Inspections

(City of Bismarck does NOT have Electrical Jurisdiction in the City of Bismarck ETA. Projects located in the ETA must be inspected by the North Dakota State Electrical Board)
 
Temporary Construction Power:

• Completed after the temporary power pole and meter is set with ground fault protected receptacles.

Electrical Rough-In: (Rough-in inspection can be completed at the same time as the electrical service inspection)

• Electrical rough-in inspections must be completed after all placement of wiring, outlet boxes, branch circuits, and prior to being concealed.

Electrical Service:

• Electrical service inspections must be completed once permanent service is set. Service equipment must be installed and bonded to a grounding electrode and ground fault protected receptacle. This inspection is required prior to the utilities being energized. Contractor is responsible for contacting utility company after the service inspection has passed and has been tagged by the Inspector.

Final Inspection: 

• A Final Inspection shall be completed after the permitted electrical work has been completed and prior to occupancy.
  • All projects located in the City of Bismarck ETA must have the electrical inspected and approved by the North Dakota State Electrical Board prior to occupancy.

Plumbing Inspections

Underground Plumbing:

• Underground plumbing inspections must be completed after the drain, waste, and vent piping has been completed, tested with 5psi air or 10ft water stack, and prior to backfilling.  

Rough-in Plumbing:

• Rough-in plumbing inspections; also known as above ground inspections, must be completed after the above ground drain, waste, and vent piping is completed, tested with 5 psi air or 10ft water stack, and prior to being concealed.

Final Inspection: 

• A Final Inspection shall be completed after the permitted plumbing work has been completed and prior to occupancy.

Mechanical / Fuel Gas Inspections

Fuel Gas:

• Completed after gas piping fittings, unions, and valves authorized by the permit have been installed and before piping is covered and concealed. A 20psi air test must be placed on the gas piping system and verified by an inspector. At least one appliance, to include the gas line connection and venting must be installed prior to being tagged by Inspector. Contractor is required to contact utility company after the inspection has passed and the gas line has been tagged by the Inspector.

Mechanical: 

• Completed after all duct systems serving heating, cooling, exhaust, and ventilation equipment have been installed and all fuel burning appliances have been vented to the outdoors. Duct systems, chimneys, and vents that will be concealed by permanent construction must be inspected prior to concealment. All manufacturers installation instructions must be available at the time of inspection.

Final Inspection:

• A Final Inspection shall be completed after the permitted fuel gas and mechanical work has been completed and prior to occupancy.

Private Sewage Disposal System Inspections

Site Inspection: 

• Private sewage disposal systems shall be inspected after the tank and chambers have been placed and prior to backfilling.

Final Inspection: 

• A Final Inspection shall be completed after the permitted work has been completed and prior to occupancy.