Lacey, WA Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

LMC 14.13.070 has the code official make the required electrical inspections on notification. Concealed work must stay accessible and exposed until approved, and the code makes that the permit applicant's duty. Covered work that was never inspected can be ordered exposed, and neither the code official nor the City of Lacey is liable for the expense of removing or replacing material to allow inspection.

The stages run in order. The underground inspection comes after trenches or ditches are excavated and bedded and piping and conductors are installed, and before backfill. Where the soil holds rocks, broken concrete, frozen chunks or other rubble, or corrosive action will occur, the raceway, cable or conductors need protection such as granular or selected material, approved running boards or sleeves. The rough-in inspection comes after the roof, framing, fireblocking and bracing are in place and all concealed wiring is complete, and before wall or ceiling membranes go up. The final inspection comes after all work required by the permit is completed. The code official can also make or require other inspections.

Before work starts, the permit holder or an agent posts an inspection record card so the code official can enter results, and the card stays until final approval. No work proceeds past the point of an inspection without approval, and a portion that fails must be corrected and stay uncovered until the code official authorizes otherwise. Tests are performed by the permit holder and observed by the code official, with apparatus, material and labor furnished by the permit holder.

Inspectors carry city-issued identification, present credentials to occupants and request entry; for unoccupied premises they first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner.

For the building itself, LMC 14.04.015 amends Section 111.2 so the permittee requests a final inspection and certificate of occupancy on a city form signed by both the building owner and the building contractor. Under LMC 14.18.020 a permit also lapses if no inspection has been called for within one hundred eighty days, and a validly called inspection requires the work to be complete and ready.