SDCI’s inspections team inspects a wide range of items on development projects. They inspect the basic “concrete, boards, and nails” of a project and more specific disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, conveyance, boilers, and earthwork-related efforts. In 1999, SDCI created the Site Development Inspections team to perform Pre-Application Site Visits, monitor erosion control, and do field follow-up of geotechnical special inspections. Today, the site development inspectors’ scope of work has expanded to include:
- Pre-Application Site Visits (PASV). These site visits are the first step in securing a Construction Permit or Master Use Permit (MUP). We gather data and create a Preliminary Assessment Report (PAR) to help the applicant submit a more thorough and complete initial application.
- Side sewer inspections. For these inspections, we ensure that the developer uses the correct materials, meets minimum installation standards, records pressure tests, and connects the discharge points to the proper utility.
- Construction stormwater control (CSC) inspections. We may conduct this type of inspection several times during the life of a project. The National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requires that a CSC inspection be conducted at least once every calendar year while the construction permit is active. Customer cannot schedule CSC inspection. The site inspector controls and schedules the frequency of the CSC monitoring.
- Pre-construction and first ground disturbance inspections. This inspection is required for any permit that needs geotechnical special inspections, has ground disturbance of more than 750 square feet, or has more than one cubic yard of excavation. We required these inspections to be completed before you conduct any work except for meeting tree protection and initial construction stormwater control requirements. At these inspections, the contractor and SDCI inspectors carefully review the scope of the anticipated work. For the site inspector, this includes a review of the sanitary and drainage system piping and structures, a review of the special inspection requirements, and one last review of the proposed work. This is a very important inspection that outlines the site inspector’s expectations.
- On-site stormwater management inspections. This is an element of a Side Sewer Permit that addresses the water quality of any stormwater that will be discharged off site to a public conveyance system or into waters of the United States.
In addition to conduction inspections, site inspectors respond to many types of complaints, including:
- Failed erosion control measures
- Sediment tracking in the right-of-way
- Illicit discharges from a site with an active construction permit
- Tree cutting or pruning
If you need a site inspection, you can Schedule an Inspection through our Seattle Services Portal. If you have a specific scheduling request, note that in the portal when you schedule your inspection. Site inspectors try to accommodate the customers’ needs by scheduling around the specific needs of the project.
To learn more about this program, visit our Site Development Inspections website.