Building Inspection Resources

Notice: Our office hours for permitting are Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m.- 4:45 p.m., with no new walk-ins accepted after 4:30 p.m. Field inspections are occurring between 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. each day.

All inspections (except those allowed under Live Remote) will be scheduled using your Garner SmartGov Portal. At this time inspections are no longer being scheduled by phone or email. To view your inspector please check the "My Inspections" Tab within SmartGov. Inspector Contact information can be located in our Inspections Staff page or at the bottom of our Garner SmartGov Portal pages.

Request a CO , Conditional CO or Certificate of Compliance

Please use the below lookup for all building permits issued prior to February 2024. Any building permits issued after February 2024 need to use our Garner SmartGov Portal.

How to Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy

The following is a general list of the steps required to receive a Certificate of Occupancy from the Town of Garner. Steps must be completed in order. Please read and follow the list carefully as you go through a project. Some projects may require additional inspections.

An inspection will not be made unless the approved plans are available at the site.

Step 1: Temporary Board & Ground Work

INSPECTIONS REQUIRED	WHEN TO CALL FOR AN INSPECTION	WHO SHOULD CALL
Temporary Board	Once electrician has installed temporary electrical service.	Electrician
Plumbing Ground Work (PGW)	For slab-on-grade construction or where plumbing is to be covered by concrete or soil. Call for inspection after all plumbing has been placed and before being covered by concrete or soil	Plumbing Contractor
Electrical Ground Work (EGW)	For slab-on-grade construction or where electrical is to be covered by concrete or soil. Call for inspection after all conduit has been placed and before being covered by concrete or soil.	Electrical Contractor

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

Step 2: Slab Inspection

NON-SLAB CONSTRUCTION MAY SKIP THIS STEP.

INSPECTIONS REQUIRED	WHEN TO CALL FOR AN INSPECTION	WHO SHOULD CALL
Slab (SLAB)	After all plumbing and electrical groundwork has been approved, expansion joints, vapor barrier, termite treatment, insulation, and reinforcing is in place but before any concrete is poured.	General Contractor

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

Step 3: Footing Inspections

NON-SLAB CONSTRUCTION TO PROCEED AS FOLLOWS:

INSPECTIONS REQUIRED	WHEN TO CALL FOR AN INSPECTION	WHO SHOULD CALL
#1 - Footing	After excavation for footing is completed	General Contractor
#2 - Footing	After reinforcing bars(if required) are in place, properly tied and supported	General Contractor
#3 - Footing	Always before any concrete is poured.	General Contractor

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTION HAS BEEN APPROVED.

Step 4: Foundation Inspections

INSPECTIONS REQUIRED	WHEN TO CALL FOR AN INSPECTION	WHO SHOULD CALL>
#1 - Foundation	After the foundation, wall foundation drainage and waterproofing, foundation wall vents are in, but before any back filling occurs or floor joist are installed.	General Contractor

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

Step 5: Trades Rough-In Inspections

INSPECTIONS REQUIRED	WHEN TO CALL FOR AN INSPECTION	WHO SHOULD CALL
Electrical Rough-In (ERI)	After all wiring and electrical boxes have been set	Electrical Contractor
Plumbing Rough-In (PRI)	After all piping is installed and all joints properly made, drain and supply test is ready.	Plumbing Contractor
Mechanical Rough-In (MRI)	When mechanical boots are installed, supply and return duct, (where it will be concealed) installed. Drains and refrigerant lines run in areas to be installed. Gas piping run with test on.	Mechanical Contractor
Masonry Fireplace Rough-In (MASONRY FP-Brick or Stone)	Fireplaces are to be inspected when the first flue tile is set and before the face or profile is installed.	General Contractor
Pre-fab Fireplace Rough In (PRE-FAB)	Unit installed per manufacturer's instructions with vent installed. Hearth thermal protection installed and protected.	General Contractor
Building-Framing (FRAM)	After all framing is complete, the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical are roughed in, but before any insulation, wall or ceiling finish material is installed.	General Contractor

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

Step 6: Insulation Inspection

INSPECTIONS REQUIRED	WHEN TO CALL FOR AN INSPECTION	WHO SHOULD CALL
Insulation (INSUL)	After all fire stopping, insulation and vapor barrier are in place.	General Contractor

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

Step 7: Trades Final Inspections

INSPECTIONS REQUIRED	WHEN TO CALL FOR AN INSPECTION	WHO SHOULD CALL
Water/Sewer (W/S)	After lines from the house to the property line are installed, connected, and before covering.	Plumbing Contractor
Electrical Final (EF)	After all fixtures are in place and properly connected, including heating unit, air conditioning, water heater and all fans.	Electrical Contractor
Plumbing Final (PF)	After all fixtures are in place and properly connected. Water and sewer connected.	Plumbing Contractor
Mechanical Final (MF)	When all units are in place and properly connected and vented, gas lines and final gas test is completed, as applicable.	Mechanical Contractor

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

Step 8: Fire System Inspections

INSPECTIONS REQUIRED	WHEN TO CALL FOR AN INSPECTION	WHO SHOULD CALL
Hood Extinguishing System	When system is completely installed and pre-tested	General Contractor
Sprinkler System	When system is roughed in and pressure holding and when system is complete	General Contractor
Fire Alarm System	When all devices are installed and pre-tested, two (2) working telephone lines, Zone Map drawn, and Knox Box installed	General Contractor
Fire Final	When fire extinguishers are installed, exit and emergency lights are working on 110v and 12v power, proper door and locking hardware, address displayed, and any deficiencies corrected in above inspections have been completed	General Contractor

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

Step 9: Final Building & Lot Inspections

INSPECTIONS REQUIRED	WHEN TO CALL FOR AN INSPECTION	WHO SHOULD CALL
Building Final (BF)	After all construction is completed and street numbers are installed. Floor-ceiling insulation installed.	General Contractor
Final Lot (Engineering) (LOT)	When site has been graded and seeded. Clean out with metal cap lowered at street. Meter box at grade and all damage to curb, and gutter at street repaired. Street numbers installed.	General Contractor
Driveway Curb-Cut (CURB CUT)	Call Engineering Dept. for requirements at 919-773-4425.	General Contractor

NO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS THE SURVEY IS RECEIVED.

Inspection Guidelines

Please be aware that under state law, compliance with all state and local laws is required prior to the Town of Garner issuing a Certificate of Occupancy by the Town's Inspections Department.

The Inspections Department requires a 24-hour notice on ALL inspections. If an inspection is not ready when checked or is turned down by an inspector, another inspection will be required, and you may be assessed a re-inspection fee. All inspections can be scheduled via your Garner SmartGov Portal account.

If you require assistance with forms/applications and/or clarification of the inspection process, please feel free to call the Inspections Department at (919) 773-4433 or email at dss@garnernc.gov. All town personnel will be happy to assist you in understanding and working within the ordinances and regulations required. The Town of Garner's Inspection Department is located on the first floor of Town Hall at 900 Seventh Avenue.

Fire Prevention regulations adopted by the State of North Carolina are enforced by the Town's Fire Inspectors who work within the Inspections Department with the Building Inspectors. For information with regard to available fire flow water capacity, contact the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department at (919) 857-4540.

Town of Garner, NC

Building Inspections

Building Inspection Resources

NC Building Codes

Inspection Fees

Live Remote Inspections

How to Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

NON-SLAB CONSTRUCTION MAY SKIP THIS STEP.

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

NON-SLAB CONSTRUCTION TO PROCEED AS FOLLOWS:

NON-SLAB CONSTRUCTION TO PROCEED AS FOLLOWS:

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTION HAS BEEN APPROVED.

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

DO NOT PROCEED WITH CONSTRUCTION UNTIL THE ABOVE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED

NO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS THE SURVEY IS RECEIVED.

Inspection Guidelines