Jefferson County, AL Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum inspections
- Foundation, dampproofing, slab, frame, final
- Governing section
- Sec. 108.2.2, Jefferson County Building Code
- Before next stage
- Written Building Official approval required (108.2.5)
- Feeds into
- Certificate of Occupancy, Section 109
- Notice before penalty
- 10 days written notice (Sec. 113)
- Penalty
- $500 fine/30 days jail + $50/day
Summary
Jefferson County's Building Official requires five staged inspections, foundation, foundation dampproofing, slab, frame, and final, before work covered by a permit can move to the next phase. Section 108.2.2 of the county's amended Building Code sets the minimum tests, and written approval is required before proceeding past each one.
108.2.2. Required Inspections - The Building Official upon notification from the permit holder or his agent shall make the following inspections of buildings and such other inspections as may be necessary... The minimum test or inspections, including, but not limited to, are: 1. Foundation inspection: To be made after trenches are excavated and forms erected. 2. Foundation Dampproofing: To be made after dampproofing material applied, protection board installed, drain tile installed, gravel placed over drain tile and after filter material placed over gravel. 3. Slab Inspection: To be made after ground preparation complete, slag and reinforcement in place if warranted, rough plumbing and electrical work in slab inspected and vapor barrier in place. 4. Frame Inspection: To be made after the roof, all framing, fire-blocking and bracing is in place, all concealed wiring, all pipes, chimneys, ducts and vents are complete and inspected. 5. Final Inspection: To be made after the building is complete and ready for occupancy.
Full Breakdown
2, the permit holder or an authorized agent must notify the Building Official when work is ready, and the county then performs a minimum of five inspections at defined construction milestones: the foundation inspection (after trenches are excavated and forms erected), foundation dampproofing (after the dampproofing material, protection board, drain tile and filter material are all in place), the slab inspection (after ground preparation, slab reinforcement, rough plumbing/electrical in the slab, and the vapor barrier are complete), the frame inspection (after the roof, framing, fire-blocking, bracing, and all concealed wiring, pipes, chimneys, ducts and vents are in place), and the final inspection once the building is complete and ready for occupancy.
6 separately forbids covering reinforcing steel or structural framing before it is approved. 3). The final inspection feeds directly into Section 109's Certificate of Occupancy process: no addition or new building may be occupied until the Building Official issues a CO confirming the completed inspections. 4 to both request each inspection and provide site access for it.
Violations & Fines
Failing to obtain a required inspection, or building past an unapproved stage, is a Code violation. Section 113 makes any violation not cured within ten days of written notice from the Director of Development Services a misdemeanor: a fine of not more than $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both, plus a $50-per-day penalty for each day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
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