BUILDING FINAL INSPECTIONS

Why is a final inspection necessary? Decks and Guardrails:

This is the last opportunity for the building  Constructed of materials naturally resistant to
inspector to insure that the construction meets the decay or materials manufactured for exterior
requirements of the building code. On approval of applications.
the final inspection, the inspector issues a  Decks bolted/lagged per TC detail 20 or the
certificate of occupancy. Banks often need a approved engineering.
certificate of occupancy to complete the loan  Decks more than 30 inches above grade when
process. measured 6' away from the deck, require a
guardrail.
These are the most common items encountered.  Guardrail:
Projects vary and may include additional items o 36" minimum height measured from the deck
based on the 2006 International Residential Code. to the top of the guard.
o Does not allow the passage of a 4" sphere, or a
What must be completed to obtain a final 4 3/8" sphere where guard meets the stairs.
inspection? Visit the Thurston County web site to o Triangle formed by riser, tread and bottom
see the TC figures referenced. Contact information element of guard does not the allow passage of a
is listed below. 6" sphere.

General requirements: Stairs and Handrails: See TC figure 12

 Planning – final site conditions.  Handrails required at stairs with 4 or more risers.
 Health – septic record drawing approved by EH.  Grippable handrail minimum 34" to maximum
 Dev. Review – right of way access, dry well 38" above the nose of the tread to the top of the
inspections. handrail.
 Permit and approved plans on-site and  Handrail returns to the wall, maximum 4 ½" off
accessible. wall with minimum 1 ½" clear space from inside
 All self-certification cards provided. of rail to wall.
 All utilities connected.  Stair riser maximum 7 ¾", tread minimum 10",
no more than 3/8" variance in riser or tread
Building Exterior: overall.
 Address posted per county handout. Visible from  Open risers do not allow passage of 4" sphere,
the roadway, at driveway and residence. except stairs less than 30" in rise.
 All exterior windows, penetrations and openings  See special provisions for winder and spiral
caulked and flashed where required. stairs, and ladders for small limited recess areas.
 All siding and exterior trim complete.
 Untreated wood siding/trim is separated a Landings: See TC Figure 23.
distance of 6" from soil.  Exterior doors require landings, minimum 36" x
 The grade at the foundation falls away from the 36", or per size of door opening. The exit door
building a minimum of 6" within the first 10'. Or floor/landing shall not be more than 1 ½" lower
a minimum slope 5%. If swales are used the than the top of the threshold. Landings at doors
slope is 2% minimum. other than the exit door do not have to meet this
requirement. May step down 7 ¾" below door
opening unless the door swings over the landing.
No landing required for two or fewer risers on
the exterior side of the non-exit door.
Thurston County Permit Assistance Center
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Bldg 1, Second Floor; Olympia, WA 98502
Phone: (360) 786-5490; TDD line: (360) 754-2933; Fax: (360) 754-2939
www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting Revised 2-2013
Crawl Access: o Ladder provided to ensure all ducting still
 The crawl access panel is constructed of exterior attached.
grade material that is weather tight and vermin  Provide manufacturer's specifications for all gas
proof. appliances.
 Remove all debris from crawl space.  Electrical fixtures installed, trimmed and
 R-30 insulation is securely installed against the covered.
bottom of the floor.  Plumbing fixtures installed and sealed per
 Foundation vents are not obstructed by manufacture specifications.
insulation.  Anti-tip device installed on range, exhaust sealed
 Vapor barrier is black, 6-mil plastic, covering and run to exterior with back draft damper at
crawl area, wall to wall, with all seams lapped exterior.
12".  Dishwasher attached to framing and air-gap, high
loop or integral backflow device installed.
Interior Finish:  Egress for sleeping rooms; minimum 20" wide,
 House/garage separation – 1/2" drywall on 24" high, 5.7 square feet for second story and 5.0
house/garage wall. 5/8" drywall on lid where square feet for first floor. Maximum sill height
living space is above. 44" from floor.
 Ducts, which penetrate the walls or ceilings
separating the dwelling from the garage shall be Smoke Detectors:
constructed of a minimum No. 26 gauge sheet  Smoke detectors required when interior
metal and can have no openings in the ductwork alterations, repairs or additions requiring a
that is within the garage. building permit occur.
 Other penetrations through garage walls shall be  Detectors must be interconnected and hard wired
filled with approved material to resist free unless the area of work does not result in the
passage of flame and smoke. removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes
 A 1 3/8" solid door or 20-minute fire-rated door exposing the structure unless there is an attic,
is required between house and garage. crawl space or basement available that can
 Water heater: provide access for hard wiring.
o Strapped to wall.  Detectors are required at every floor level, top of
o Pressure/temperature relief valve to exterior stairs, in each bedroom and in hallways serving
with elbow pointing down 6 – 24" above grade. bedrooms.
o Drain pan and rigid insulation if required.  Detectors may be connected to central/monitored
 Protect appliances in the garage from vehicles. alarm systems when they receive power from
 Whole house ventilation system installed and set premises electricity, will still work if system is
for 8 hours of total run time every 24 hours. disconnected from monitored system.
 Exhaust fans vented to exterior with back draft  For new construction and interior remodels a
damper sealed at exterior. carbon monoxide alarm must be installed outside
 Furnace and mechanical systems operational, of each separate sleeping area in the immediate
combustion air, fresh air and dampers per vicinity of the bedrooms in dwelling units and on
specifications. each level o the dwelling unit and in accordance
 Dryer ducting is smooth wall metal pipe, no with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
penetrations into duct, back draft damper at
termination. I Still Have Questions…
 Attic and access cover: For additional information, speak with a building
o Insulated and access sealed. inspector at (360)786-5489 Monday-Thursday
o Insulation certification completed by installer. between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m.

Thurston County Permit Assistance Center

2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Bldg 1, Second Floor; Olympia, WA 98502
Phone: (360) 786-5490; TDD line: (360) 754-2933; Fax: (360) 754-2939
www.co.thurston.wa.us/permitting Revised 2-2013