Kingsport, TN Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

The Kingsport Code prints its staged inspection sequence in the electrical and plumbing articles of Chapter 22, and the building official directs the process as head of the building department under Section 22-49.

Electrical work (Section 22-151): at least two inspections are made on each electrical job, the first when the work is roughed in, meaning all connections made and soldered, not taped, and the second when the job is finished. Where the size or type of construction makes it impractical to get all the wiring ready at one time, inspections are made as often as is necessary. No work is covered until the proper inspections are made and approval given, and the contractor or person responsible for covered work uncovers it at his own expense. No service equipment or wiring goes into attics, lofts or upper floors unless a ladder or stairway is furnished. Under Section 22-149 it is unlawful to supply current for wiring in a building or structure until the required inspection is made and approval granted. Section 22-150 lets the electrical inspector enter any building during reasonable working hours.

Plumbing work (Section 22-446): the first inspection comes when the work is roughed-in and tested, the second when the work is finished and all fixtures set. It is unlawful to supply water service to a plumbing system until the required inspection is made and approved, and unlawful to cover any plumbing, house drain or house sewer connection before the plumbing inspector approves it. Section 22-447 gives the plumbing inspector the same reasonable-working-hours entry right.

Gas work (Section 22-308) follows the same idea: all new gas installation work is inspected, and Section 22-310 makes the installing agency give reasonable advance notice to the building official when the work is ready for test. The 2018 International Building Code is adopted separately by Section 22-96(a).