Inspection services for one and two family dwellings are divided between three groups of inspectors:

1. Building Safety inspectors are responsible for inspecting the building and erosion and sediment control measures.
2. Engineering Services inspectors inspect site-related issues related such as overflow swales, sidewalks and drive approaches.
3. Public Works inspectors look at compaction issues related to excavations in the public right-of-way.

All inspections, except the compaction inspection made by Public Works staff, can be requested online through the Online Development Center. You will need a log-in ID and password to schedule inspections. If you need assistance, contact the Plans Examiner of the Day at 913/895-6225, peod@opkansas.org, or Jerry Anderson at 913/895-6244.

General inspection guidelines for the construction of one- and two-family dwellings:

NOTE: Prior to excavating, erosion and sediment control methods are to be installed. Adjacent lots that are finished (sod or seed) shall be protected. Inlets on the lot or adjacent to the lot shall be protected. No inspection is required.

Footing inspection: This inspection is made prior to concrete being poured. The inspection entails the inspection of the soil, the bearing capacity, forms, pier pads, trenches and all reinforcing steel. The city approved plot plan and construction plans are required to be on-site for this inspection. If the site conditions dictate a special design, then an engineer's report (design) is required to be on-site.

• Minimum Low Opening (MLO): Many of the plot plans today dictate a certain MLO because of swales or flooding conditions. If this is the case, the contractor is responsible for providing survey equipment so that the inspector can verify the MLO.

Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC): When a footing inspection is requested, an ESC inspection is automatically generated. The inspector will look to see that measures have been taken to protect adjacent property, inlets (both on the property and at the curb), and that stockpiles are protected. There is also an expectation that the street be clean of gravel and mud. Warning: The inspector can refuse to make the inspection if proper erosion and sediment control measures are not in place or if there is mud and/or gravel in the street. Ordering concrete prior to the inspection being made is at the contractor's risk. For further guidance on what constitutes proper erosion and sediment control protection for one and two family dwellings, see our erosion and sediment control standards (.pdf file).

• Footings/piers for decks not supporting a roof structure are not required to be inspected by the city but must be installed per the code. A minimum depth of 36" below finished grade is required by code.

Foundation Wall Inspection: This inspection is also known as a structural wall inspection. The inspector looks at the location, size and spacing of the reinforcing steel in the walls prior to concrete placement. The city approved plot plan and construction plans are required to be on-site for this inspection. If the site conditions dictate a special wall design, then an engineer's report (design) is required to be on-site. On some construction drawings, lateral bracing method dictates that a certain type of anchoring device be installed in the concrete. Prior to the inspection, these devices (straps and/or anchors) should be on-site, preferably installed.

• Minimum Low Opening (MLO): Depending on the site situation and/or the design, the elevation readings for the MLO may need to be taken or retaken for this inspection. If this is the case, the contractor is responsible for providing survey equipment so that the inspector can verify the MLO.
  
  
• Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC): When a structural wall inspection is requested, an ESC inspection is automatically generated. The inspectors will look to see that measures have been taken to protect adjacent property, inlets (both on the property and at the curb), and that stockpiles are protected. There is also an expectation that the street be clean of gravel and mud. Warning: The inspector can refuse to make the inspection if proper erosion and sediment control measures are not in place or if there is mud and/or gravel in the street. Ordering concrete prior to the inspection being made is at the contractor's risk.

Plumbing Ground Rough: This is an inspection of the under slab plumbing lines prior to the slab being poured. An air or water test is not required for one- and two-family dwellings. Plumbing ground rough inspections will not be scheduled unless a right-of-way permit has been secured.

• Erosion and Sediment control (ESC): When a plumbing ground rough inspection is requested an ESC inspection is automatically generated. The inspectors will look to see that measures have been taken to protect adjacent property, to protect inlets both on the property and at the curb, to protect the street from runoff and that a gravel drive has been installed. There is also an expectation that the street be clean of gravel and mud. Warning: The inspector can refuse to make the inspection if proper erosion and sediment control measures are not in place or if there is mud and/or gravel in the street.

ROW Compaction: Prior to working in the public right-of-way (ROW), a ROW permit shall be secured. A compaction inspection is required for all excavations for sewer and water lines. These inspections are made by the Public Works inspectors. Call 913/895-6189 for inspection. *Failure to secure a satisfactory ROW compaction inspection will result in occupancy permits being withheld.

Structural Slab: The inspector looks at the installation, size and location of the reinforcing steel in concrete floors prior to pouring the concrete. City approved plans are required. If a city standard is referenced on the plans then the contractor should be prepared to show the design standard to the inspector.

Fire Resistive Wall: (This inspection is required for duplexes and/or townhomes.) Inspectors look at the installation of materials for fire-rated assemblies including rated walls, ceilings, columns, floors etc. If the assembly utilizes drywall materials, the inspection must be made before mudding and taping. If multiple layers are involved, each layer must be inspected prior to proceeding to additional layers or application of finish materials being applied. Approved plans are required on-site.

Structural Braced Wall: This is the inspection type to be used for lateral braced walls or shear walls. It can involve a number of things such as anchoring devices or nailing pattern. Approved plans are required on-site. When requesting this inspection, be specific as to what the inspector is to look at. Depending on the design, it may be necessary to request this inspection several times throughout the construction process.

Flashing: This inspection is of windows and doors to verify how they are flashed in order to prevent water infiltration. The inspector will need to be shown how the windows are being flashed in a step-by-step fashion. It is not necessary to have every window inspected; however, it is necessary to have one window inspected in each wall having a different exterior finish. *May be inspected as part of the rough-in inspection.

Weather Resistive Barrier: This inspection is required when stucco is being applied as the exterior finish and two layers of building paper are being used as the weather resistive barrier. The inspector needs to witness how the first layer of building paper is installed.

Lath Inspection: This inspection is of the installation of metal lath. The inspector will look for proper lapping of the metal base, how the metal lath is attached (size and spacing of the stapes or nails), location of expansion/control joints, size of the accessories, and weep screeds.

Rough-in: General inspection of the structure, the electrical service and wiring, the plumbing system, and the mechanical work. This inspection is to be made prior to the installation of insulation and drywall. *Approved plans are required to be on the job site.

• Erosion and Sediment control (ESC): When a rough-in inspection is requested an ESC inspection is automatically generated. The inspectors will look to see that measures have been taken to protect adjacent property, to protect inlets both on the property and at the curb, to protect the street from runoff and that a gravel drive has been installed. There is also an expectation that the street be clean of gravel and mud. Warning: The inspector can refuse to make the inspection if proper erosion and sediment control measures are not in place or if there is mud and/or gravel in the street.

Electrical Service: Inspection of the electrical service. Upon approval of the inspection, clearance for the service is forwarded to the utility company the following day. The contractor can call the utility company for service anytime after clearance has been given. This inspection is typically done as part of the rough-in inspection. For record keeping purposes, it is best to request this inspection with the rough-in inspection.

Fuel Gas-Inside: Also, known as a mechanical inside gas inspection. The inspector looks at all interior gas line piping and ensures that the pipe is holding the proper test pressure. In order to get a service clearance, the piping must be connected to a properly vented gas-fired appliance. Upon approval of the inspection, the city will contact the applicable utility company the following day and authorize a meter. The contractor can call for service anytime after the clearance has been given to the utility company. *This inspection can be scheduled separately or as part of the rough-in inspection.

Form Inspection: There are two types of form inspections; one for drive approaches and sidewalks and another for ADA ramps. These inspections are made by the Engineering Services inspectors within two hours of the request for inspection. This inspection is to ensure that the sidewalks, drive approaches and ADA ramps are constructed in accordance with City Standards prior to the placement of concrete.

Engineering Services-Site Grade: Many residential lots have swales or berms to control drainage or overflow. These types of lots are usually flagged on the permit and require inspection. This inspection is made by Engineering Services inspectors, and is generally done after the swale or berm has been constructed (fine graded).

Public Sidewalk: The final inspection of the installation of a sidewalk, made after the concrete has been poured and all forms removed. *This inspection is automatically generated with the Final inspection.

Final Inspection: This inspection is required before any type of occupancy can be granted. It entails the general inspection of all completed work both interior and exterior. In order to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy all permit conditions must be satisfied and all work must be complete. If the permitted work is not entirely complete, the contractor may request a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. Temporary Certificates of Occupancy are granted at the discretion of the inspector. *A Certificate of Occupancy or a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained from Building Safety before a building can be occupied.

• Erosion and Sediment control (ESC): When a final inspection is requested an ESC inspection is automatically generated. The inspectors will look to see that measures have been taken to protect adjacent property, to protect inlets both on the property and at the curb, to protect the street from runoff and that a gravel drive has been installed. There is also an expectation that the street be clean of gravel and mud. Warning: The inspector can refuse to make the inspection if proper erosion and sediment control measures are not in place or if there is mud and/or gravel in the street. See the Erosion and Sediment Control Standards (.pdf file) for one- and two-family dwellings for further guidance.