Inspections and Scheduling

Inspector talking to a worker in an excavator

What is the Purpose of an Inspection & When is it Required?

Most permits require inspections to verify that components and systems are installed and completed in accordance with the Oregon Building Code, the City of Corvallis Municipal Code, and Land Development Code. Once you receive your permit and begin construction, you or your contractor will need to request the required inspections at specific times in the project.

  • Depending on the project and its complexity, you may need as few as two inspections or more than several dozen.
  • The required inspections are listed in the linked Inspection List.
  • As a general rule of thumb, the inspector must inspect and provide approval prior to cover.
  • If you have questions, call Development Services at 541-766-6929 or e-mail us.

Permit Holder's Responsibilities

  • Request all required inspections for project.
  • Ensure that work to be inspected is completed and ready at time of inspection.
  • Provide access to the area to be inspected.
  • Ensure that the City approved plans are available to the inspector.
  • Submit any changes to approved plans to plan review staff for approval. All changes are required to be included as part of the approved plans and available to the inspector at the time of the inspection.

Inspector's Responsibilities

  • Provide a timely response for inspection.
  • Observe the work and administer the Oregon Building Code, in accordance with the approved plans.
  • Observe the work and administer the City of Corvallis Municipal and Land Development Codes.
  • Provide electronic notification of the inspection results.
  • Provide explanation of the inspection results as needed.

Scheduling an Inspection

Request inspections through your ePlans account.

  • ePlans is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Cut-off time for inspection requests for the same day is 7:00 am.
  • The system will guide you through scheduling, canceling, or rescheduling an inspection.

Please visit our ePlans Inspection Scheduling Guide for assistance in making requests through your ePlans account..  

You will need the following information to schedule an inspection:

  • The correct permit number for the scope of work (e.g., you will need plumbing permit number to schedule a plumbing inspection; electrical permit number to schedule an electrical inspection; mechanical permit number to schedule an mechanical inspection, etc.).
  • The date your inspection is requested; you will be able to add additional notes such as whether you prefer an AM or PM inspection.
  • A contact name and phone number where you can be reached if necessary.

Inspection Results and Follow Up Work

  • The inspector will result the inspection with one of the following:
    • approve the work
    • approve the work with conditions
    • fail the work and document the reason(s) in the correction notice.
  • An inspection notice will be emailed to the permit's inspection contact(s).
  • Inspection results are also available on-line at corvallispermits.com and are typically posted following the inspection. Correction items must be resolved before another inspection can be requested. If you have questions about a correction, please contact the assigned inspector at 541-766-6929.
  • Inspectors have voicemail and are typically available for phone calls from 7:00-8:00 AM and 2:00-3:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
  • Additional fees may be imposed if the same inspection is requested and corrections are not completed.
  • Electrical and plumbing corrections are required by State law to be completed and re-inspected within 20 calendar days unless other arrangements are made with the inspector.
  • A permit is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance or from the date of the most recently approved inspection.
  • As long as you are continuing to work on your project and calling for regular inspections, your permit stays active.
  • Final building occupancy may occur only after receiving final written approval from the building inspector and a Certificate of Occupancy, when required.