Building Inspections

Inspection Services

Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding holidays)

Scheduling Inspections

Watch the video below to learn how to schedule a building inspection:

You can request permit-related inspections through the online Customer Self-Service (CSS) portal. Please use this link to register your account (or log-in) and to request inspections.

Based on the type of work, various progress inspections and a final inspection are required to complete the City of Boulder building permit process. A responsible party must be present during the inspection.

Inspection Tips

Due to the coronavirus, inspectors are unable to do inspections inside occupied homes. These inspections can be performed virtually (ie: FaceTime, Google Duo). All other types of inspections are being performed in accordance with current health processes/guidelines. All current State, County, and Local health guidelines must be observed by everyone on-site or the inspection will be canceled and stop-work order(s) may be considered.
Building Inspections may be performed between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Only homeowners may request an a.m or p.m. inspection. You will need to indicate this in the notes section while scheduling your inspection in CSS. You must also include a contact name and phone number in the same section.

Please do not assume inspection processes. If special information/special request is necessary, you must call the inspector/leave a voicemail between 7:00-8:30 a.m. on the day your inspection is scheduled (note: the inspectors and phone numbers to the right on the CSS page are subject to change until 7:00 a.m. on the day the inspection is scheduled; please do not call inspectors with information/special requests ahead of an inspection scheduled date). While every effort will be made to accommodate special requests, they cannot be guaranteed. Note: Please do not initiate inspection special requests by text message; due to the time-sensitive nature of special requests they are not eligible for request by text message (calls only).

Please provide a copy of the approved city-stamped plans in paper form. Due to health/sanitary concerns and technology limitations (such as connectivity issues and limited ability to see details and capture notation), the city is unable to use digital format/electronic plans during field inspections currently.

If plans were provided with the permit submittal, you are required to download and print a paper copy of the city-stamped plans for your on-site inspection. Failure to do so may result in delayed inspections. The plans can be printed from your account on EnerGov CSS . Please log in to your account and find the case number under "Permits" on the Dashboard. The electronic plan can be found under "Attachments".
Please review the new roof inspection process before scheduling a roof inspection.
Please review the state required electrical and plumbing contemporaneous review process prior to your inspection. The City of Boulder follows State of Colorado guidelines for conducting contemporaneous reviews to support electrical and plumbing licensure and apprenticeship requirements. Contractor information may be requested at any time depending on your permit type and scope of work. Please review this information prior to your inspection to prevent delays.

What Time Is my Inspection?

Daily inspections that have been requested can be verified in CSS each morning. Please check the daily schedule on the CSS portal (7:00 a.m. or after) to confirm your scheduled inspection and note inspector name and phone number to the right. Find the heading “Today’s Inspections” and click “View." Please note: The times listed in CSS are not representations of when an inspector will arrive on-site for an inspection.

Please do not estimate an inspection time. If a more specific inspection time frame is necessary, an estimated two-hour time window can be requested. To do so, you must call the inspector/leave a voicemail between 7:00-8:30 a.m. on the day your inspection is scheduled (note: the inspectors and phone numbers to the right on the CSS page are subject to change until 7:00 a.m. on the day the inspection is scheduled; please do not call inspectors with inspection time frame requests ahead of an inspection scheduled date). Note: Please do not initiate inspection time frame requests by text message; due to the time-sensitive nature of time frame requests they are not eligible for request by text message (calls only).

Inspection Results

Inspectors will provide you with clear and simple results that can be viewed through the CSS portal. Look for the "Pass," "Fail" and "Partial" results, as well as the checklist comments.

Scheduling a Re-inspection

If your site has failed an inspection, complete the necessary corrections to achieve code compliance, and then request a re-inspection through CSS.

Once Inspections Are Complete

After all fees are paid and inspections are completed, a Certificate of Occupancy or Letter of Completion will be issued and is required before the building may be occupied.

What if I have an Architectural Inspection?

Architectural inspection requests and scheduling are completed through the CSS portal similar to all other inspections. These inspections are completed by Planning staff. If you need a more specific inspection time frame, please call the Planning case manager that was assigned to the project PMT application. Click here for more information regarding architectural inspections.