Frequently Asked Questions

Architecture Inspections are required for permit applications received on or after June 6, 2016, for properties with discretionary approvals, such as Site Reviews, Non-conforming Use Reviews, Wireless Antennas, etc.) “By right” development will not require architecture inspections.

The Architecture Inspections are one element of the city’s Design Excellence Initiative. The goal of this inspection process is to verify that projects being built with discretionary approvals meet the expected design outcomes in terms of building architecture, details and material quality.

Planning staff will inspect each building based on the key architectural design elements, details and materials approved during the discretionary review process. Staff may take photos, measurements and notes during the inspection to review with others post inspection.

Key inspection items may include:

  • Building massing and fenestration to be evaluated against approved building elevations for design consistency
  • Materials, finishes, patterns and colors to be reviewed for consistency with the approved materials sample boards. Requirements from Planning Board, Landmarks Board or Design Advisory Board will also be considered if specific elements were key to approval.
  • Window types, stucco and bricks details, rain screen applications, and material transitions to be evaluated against details provided at Tec Doc and Building Permit.
  • Details to be reviewed against the design intent of the approved plans may include window installation and shadow lines, balcony railings, fascia, and soffits visible from the public realm, screening of rooftop mechanical units, and wireless antenna visible from the public realm<

No. Consistent with other inspection types, a final inspection must be passed before any Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion will be issued. That said, it is acknowledged that extenuating circumstances may arise. Should you have any questions or issues related to the timing or sequencing of a final inspection for a Certificate of Occupancy or a Letter of Complete, please contact staff directly.

The applicant is encouraged to communicate with their case manager early in the construction process if changes are anticipated during construction to understand if and how changes may affect the approval. If a building fails an inspection, a written notice of corrective action will be issued and a follow-up inspection will need to be scheduled.

Depending on the scope and type of deficiency there may be several options for compliance.

  • If the deficiency is a minor deviation from approved plans or is the result of unavoidable field conditions, constructability issues or other construction-specific concern, the applicant may be given the opportunity to submit an Administrative Review Application for a Minor Modification or Site Review Amendment to approve and document the deviation.
  • If the deficiency is a major design concern that conflicts with the discretionary approval (such as a material substitution of lesser quality, details that conflict with approved plans or omitted elements visible from the public realm) corrective action requiring removal and replacement may be required.

Architecture inspection scheduling should coincide with “rough siding” and “final siding”

You can request architectural inspections through the online Customer Self-Service (CSS) portal. Please use this link to register your account (or log-in) and to request inspections. For additional information on the CSS portal please contact 303-441-4088. Please note that all Architecture Inspections have a 72-hour completion window.