Hillsborough County, FL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 8-1, FBC Admin. § 110.3
- Minimum building inspections
- Foundation, slab, framing, sheathing/dry-in, final
- Who requests inspections
- Permit holder or agent (§ 110.5)
- Cover-up rule
- No concealment without written release
- Final step
- Final inspection precedes Certificate of Occupancy
Summary
Hillsborough County requires the building official to inspect construction at set stages before work can be covered up, ending in a final inspection before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
110.3 Required inspections. The building official upon notification from the permit holder or his agent shall make the following minimum inspections, and shall either release that portion of the construction or shall notify the permit holder or his agent of any violations that must be corrected in order to comply with the technical codes.
Full Breakdown
Under Section 110.3 of the county's Construction Code, the Building Official must make minimum inspections at defined stages of a project (foundation, slab, framing, sheathing/dry-in, and final) and either release that portion of the work or notify the permit holder of violations to correct. Section 110.6 bars work from proceeding past each inspection point without a written release, and no part may be covered or concealed until authorized. A final inspection is required before a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion issues.
Violations & Fines
Covering or concealing work before it passes the required inspection, or proceeding past an inspection point without written release, is a violation; the Building Official can require uncovering for inspection at the permit holder's expense and withhold the Certificate of Occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who schedules building inspections in Hillsborough County?
Can I cover framing or plumbing before it's inspected?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsborough County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hillsborough County to another location·View the Florida building safety overview
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