Electrical Inspections
What Is It?
Most electrical permits require three inspections: cover, service, and final.
- Cover inspection. Schedule this inspection when all new circuits are wired (boxes installed, wires run, grounding conductor connected or made up, nail plates installed in areas as needed). Don’t cover your work with insulation, receptacles, or wall switches until the inspector has approved it. Cover inspections also include underground installations. Don’t cover trenches, ditches, or slabs until the inspector has approved them.
- Service and feeder inspection. Schedule this inspection when the service electrical mast, meter base, service panels, grounding electrode conductors, and branch circuits (if possible) have been installed.
- Final inspections. Schedule this inspection when the electrical work has been completed. Make sure panel boxes are covered, circuits are labeled in the right spaces on the box, and all cover plates are installed. You must have all of equipment and appliances installed, grounded, and energized for final inspection.
Addressing Inspection Issues
We may not approve your electrical work for a number of reasons, such as:
- Your inspector could not get on site
- Your work is not complete
- There are code violations
When we have to do more than one re-inspection, we may charge an additional fee.
Inspection Results
You can find results and notes using our Seattle Services Portal. Your inspector will add notes about any failed or partial pass inspection result to your permit information. To see the notes, from the Seattle Service Portal, input your permit number and press enter and select reports located next to the Login button. Select INSPECTION REVIEW REPORT for a complete list of all inspections.
How To Schedule
To schedule an inspection:
- Call our 24-hour inspection request line at (206) 684-8900.
- Schedule online through the Seattle Services Portal. To view who your inspector is, put in your permit number and go to the inspections tab to see who is assigned to your inspection for that day.
- Your project may also qualify as a virtual inspection. Contact your inspector to discuss whether your project qualifies.
Request the inspection before 7:00 a.m. on the day you need it. You will need your permit number available to make the requests. Inspection requests received after 7:00 a.m. will be put on the list for the next business day.
Our service goal is same-day inspections, yet on rare occasions, this isn’t possible. Inspection time varies from one inspection to the next, so we can’t give you a specific time of day for your inspection. If you have an unusual scheduling issue or other concern, be sure to contact your inspector the morning of your inspection. Your inspector may be able to give you a time window or make other arrangements.