Required Inspections

** All Inspections Require 24 Hour Notification ** 410.996.5235
It is your responsibility to request inspections a minimum of 24 hours in advance.  Inspections notice shall not preclude the code official from instituting appropriate action to satisfy the requirements of the County. This could include disruptive or destructive inspection techniques.

Certain inspections are required during the building processes by the approving agencies. These are:

Buildings

• Footers: made prior to pouring of concrete. This shall also include pier holes. Primary items checked are depth to frost line, width, depth of concrete and compaction of ground.
• Steel: inspection for in-ground swimming pools, performed once all forms are erected and reinforcing steel is in place prior to pouring of concrete.
• Foundation: made prior to pouring of basement floor. Primary items checked are size of block, weep holes, 4 inch stone base, 4 inch drain pipe, 6 mil vapor barrier, sump hole, and exterior damp proofing. A backfill inspection may be done prior to the full foundation inspection.
• Framing: shall be made after the roof, masonry, all framing, fire-stopping, draftstoping, and bracing are in place and after the rough plumbing, mechanical and electrical inspections are approved.
• Insulation: shall be made prior to the installation of wall and ceiling membranes.
• Final: shall be made after the permitted work is completed in full and prior to occupancy.

Plumbing

• Underground: shall be made after trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded, piping installed, and before any backfill is put in place.
• Rough-in: shall be made when all components of the system which will be covered by drywall or other material have been installed.
• Gas: a gas test is performed to ensure leaks are not present and that proper fittings and piping are used.
• Water Conditioner: drain termination and fixture location.
• Water and/or Sewer: shall be made prior to covering/backfilling any connection made to a municipal or regulated utility system.
• Well: shall be made prior to covering/backfilling between the well and the structure.
• Final: shall be made when the complete system is functional. 

HVAC/Mechanical

• Rough-in: shall be made when all components of the system which will be covered by drywall or other materials have been installed.
• Final: shall be made after the building is complete and all heating and air conditioning systems are in place and properly connected.

Electrical

Your licensed electrician will arrange with the Electrical Department for inspections. Be sure the electrician requests the final inspection, as an occupancy permit will not be issued without a final inspection record. For more information contact 410.996.5230 or 410.398.1800.

Planning and Zoning

Zoning requirements are provided with issuance of building permit. 

Environmental Health

The Health Department inspects septic system installation, well site and takes samples for analysis to assure potable water. (Water analysis by acceptable private source is permitted). Satisfactory inspections and water samples must be on record prior to sign off on occupancy permit. For more information contact 410.996.5160.

Septic Systems
Installation must be inspected and approved before covering. Request for final inspection should be filed 24 hours before the system is installed. Requests will be accepted up to 9:30 a.m. on the day of installation. Call 410.996.5160 for inspections.

Private well
Must meet requirements of COMAR 26.04.04.

• Well construction must be satisfactory.
• Well completion report must be submitted by driller.
• Water must be sampled and analyzed to meet the bacteriological and chemical requirements of 26.04.04. It can be sampled by Cecil County Health Department or by a Maryland Certified Private Lab.

To allow for scheduling sample collection and for receipt of water results from DHMH Lab, allow at least four (4) weeks for results of analysis if samples by the Health Department. If using a Maryland Certified Private Lab, the water sample must be collected by the lab or by another certified collector. Call 410.996.5160 to arrange for Health Department Sampling or for a list of Maryland Certified Labs.

Public Water and Sewer
No Health Department inspections required. Plumbing Inspector will do the inspection for public water and sewer connections. Facilities or dwelling that are on public water and/or sewer systems require inspections by the Water and Wastewater Division of Public Works. 410.996.6260.

Commercial/Industrial
Any required pre-opening inspections must have been made prior to signing the occupancy permit. Call 410.996.5160.