Inspection sequence in Portland, OR
When to call each inspection, what the inspector actually looks at, and the failure that sends that call back most often — by trade. Written for the crew reading it from the truck, not for the plan room.
Oregon note: Oregon jurisdictions commonly allow a combined trade inspection request but still require separate permits per trade.
Jump to a trade
Roofing inspections in Portland
Two calls on most re-roofs; a same-week turnaround is typical.
- 01
Dry-in / in-progress
When: After tear-off and underlayment, before any covering goes down
- Deck condition, re-nailing pattern and replacement of rotted sheathing
- Underlayment type and lap, plus secondary water barrier where required
- Valley, eave and rake flashing and drip edge
- Penetration boots and counter-flashing at walls and chimneys
Most common fail: Shingles already loaded and partially laid over the dry-in, so the inspector cannot verify the deck or fastening.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
- 02
Nailing / fastening (where required)
When: Combined with dry-in in most jurisdictions; separate in high-wind areas
- Deck fastener size, pattern and edge spacing against the approved detail
- Product approval or evaluation-report numbers matching what is installed
Most common fail: Installed fastener does not match the number listed on the application's product approval.
Have on site: Product approval / evaluation report printouts for the installed system
- 03
Final roof
When: After the covering, ridge vent and all flashing are complete
- Complete covering with correct exposure and starter course
- Ventilation net free area, ridge and off-ridge vents
- Site cleaned of nails and debris
Most common fail: Open penetrations or missing pipe boots on a roof otherwise complete.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
HVAC inspections in Portland
One call on a straight changeout; two when ducts or gas lines are opened.
- 01
Rough mechanical
When: Only when ducts, refrigerant lines or gas piping are opened or concealed
- Duct support, sealing and R-value of new runs
- Refrigerant line-set insulation and penetration sealing
- Gas line sizing and pressure test where applicable
Most common fail: Concealed duct closed in before the call, requiring re-opening the ceiling.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
- 02
Final mechanical
When: After the equipment is set, charged and running
- Equipment model and serial matching the permit and AHRI match on the application
- Condensate primary and secondary drain, trap, and float switch
- Disconnect within sight of the unit, correct breaker and whip size
- Pad, hurricane straps or seismic anchorage per the local amendment
- Return air path, filter access and thermostat operation
Most common fail: Secondary condensate protection missing on an attic air handler, or the AHRI numbers on the permit not matching the tags on the equipment.
Have on site: Equipment invoice, AHRI certificate and load calculation when tonnage changed
Plumbing inspections in Portland
Up to three calls; rough and top-out cannot be combined.
- 01
Rough / under-slab
When: Before any trench is backfilled or slab is poured
- DWV layout, slope and pipe material
- Under-slab lines under head or air test with the gauge holding
- Sleeving at slab penetrations
Most common fail: Test gauge already bled off when the inspector arrives.
Have on site: Test gauge under pressure, trenches open
- 02
Top-out
When: After walls are piped and vented, before drywall
- Water and DWV piping, hangers and nail plates at studs
- Vent sizing and termination path
- Water system pressure test
Most common fail: Missing nail plates where pipe passes within 1-1/4" of a stud face.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
- 03
Final plumbing
When: After fixtures are set and the system is live
- Fixture flow rates, trap arms and cleanout access
- Water heater T&P discharge routing, expansion tank, pan and drain
- Backflow prevention and hose-bibb vacuum breakers
Most common fail: Water heater T&P line terminated in the pan or turned up instead of run to an approved point of discharge.
Have on site: Water heater data plate accessible
Electrical inspections in Portland
Two to three calls; the meter release is scheduled with the utility.
- 01
Rough electrical
When: After boxes and cable are in, before insulation and drywall
- Box fill, cable staples and support within 8" of boxes
- Nail plates, AFCI/GFCI circuit layout and grounding
- Panel feed and conductor sizing
Most common fail: Insulation already installed over the wiring, hiding staples and box fill.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
- 02
Service / meter release
When: On a service change, before the utility reconnects
- Grounding electrode system and bonding at the water service
- Service conductor and main breaker sizing against the load calculation
- Meter height, weatherhead, and clearances from openings
Most common fail: Utility not scheduled in parallel, leaving the home off power overnight after a passed inspection.
Have on site: Signed load calculation and the utility work-order number
- 03
Final electrical
When: After devices, fixtures and the panel schedule are complete
- Panel directory legible and complete, dead front in place
- GFCI and AFCI operation tested at devices
- Smoke and CO alarm interconnection and placement
- Working clearance in front of the panel
Most common fail: Handwritten or missing panel directory after a panel change.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
Windows & doors inspections in Portland
Typically one call, two when openings are altered.
- 01
Buck, fastening & flashing
When: After the unit is set and fastened, before stucco, siding or interior trim
- Fastener type, length and spacing against the installation instructions
- Buck attachment and shim placement at anchor points
- Sill pan, flashing lap and sealant continuity
- Design-pressure label still on the unit
Most common fail: Manufacturer labels removed before inspection, so the design pressure cannot be verified against the opening schedule.
Have on site: Manufacturer installation instructions and product approval for each unit
- 02
Final
When: After trim, sealant and interior finish are complete
- Egress size at bedrooms, safety glazing at hazardous locations
- Operation, locking hardware and weather sealing
Most common fail: A replacement bedroom window that no longer meets minimum egress clear opening.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
Siding inspections in Portland
One or two calls depending on whether a WRB inspection is required.
- 01
Weather-resistive barrier / lath
When: After housewrap and flashing, before the cladding covers it
- WRB lap direction and continuity, seam taping
- Window and door head, jamb and sill flashing integration
- Lath and fastener spacing on stucco assemblies
Most common fail: Reverse-lapped housewrap above openings, found only after cladding is removed.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
- 02
Final siding
When: After cladding, trim and sealant are complete
- Clearance to grade, roof and horizontal surfaces
- Fastener pattern and expansion gaps per the manufacturer
- Penetration sealing at fixtures and vents
Most common fail: No EPA Lead-Safe RRP documentation available on a pre-1978 home when the inspector asks.
Have on site: RRP certification and containment record on pre-1978 homes
Gutters inspections in Portland
Often permit-exempt; where required, a single final call.
- 01
Final drainage
When: After gutters, downspouts and leaders are complete
- Hanger spacing and slope to outlet
- Discharge point at least the required distance from the foundation
- No discharge routed onto a neighboring lot or public walk
Most common fail: Downspout discharging over the property line, triggering a drainage review.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
Remodeling inspections in Portland
Four or more calls; rough trades must pass before framing is covered.
- 01
Framing
When: After structural framing and before rough trades are concealed
- Headers, beams, posts and load path to foundation
- Notching and boring limits at joists and studs
- Fireblocking and draftstopping
- Shear panel nailing and hold-downs where engineered
Most common fail: A wall removed as non-bearing that the plans examiner reads as bearing, with no engineered header detail.
Have on site: Approved plans plus any engineer's letter for altered structure
- 02
Rough trades
When: Mechanical, plumbing and electrical rough, before insulation
- Each trade's rough items with the permit for that trade posted
- Penetrations sealed and nail plates in place
Most common fail: One trade's separate permit never pulled, voiding the whole call.
Have on site: All trade permits posted together
- 03
Insulation / energy
When: After rough trades pass, before drywall
- R-values against the energy code compliance path filed
- Air sealing at top plates, rim joists and penetrations
Most common fail: Compressed batts behind wiring and boxes, reading below the filed R-value.
Have on site: Energy compliance form filed with the permit
- 04
Final building
When: After all finishes and trade finals
- Egress, guards, handrails and stair geometry
- Smoke and CO alarms, safety glazing
- Ventilation for bath and kitchen exhaust
Most common fail: Bath fan ducted into the attic instead of to the exterior.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
General contracting inspections in Portland
Five or more calls from footing to certificate of occupancy.
- 01
Footing / foundation
When: Trench open, steel set, before concrete
- Footing width, depth and bearing soil
- Rebar size, lap and cover; anchor bolt layout
- Setbacks and the surveyed form location
Most common fail: Concrete trucks scheduled ahead of the call and the pour started early.
Have on site: Form survey and approved plans
- 02
Framing
When: After sheathing, roof dry-in and rough trades are in place
- Load path, connectors, straps and hold-downs
- Fireblocking, draftstopping and shear nailing
- Roof and wall sheathing fastener pattern
Most common fail: Missing hurricane or seismic connectors called out on the engineered sheet.
Have on site: Truss package and engineering on site
- 03
Rough trades
When: Mechanical, plumbing and electrical rough, before insulation
- Each trade rough item with its own permit posted
- Penetration sealing
Most common fail: One sub's permit not pulled, so no trade rough can be signed.
Have on site: All trade permits and current sub license numbers
- 04
Insulation / energy
When: After rough trades pass, before drywall
- R-values and air sealing against the filed energy path
- Duct leakage testing where required
Most common fail: Duct blower test not scheduled, holding the drywall crew.
Have on site: Energy compliance and duct test report
- 05
Final building / CO
When: After all finishes and every trade final has passed
- Life-safety items: alarms, egress, guards, handrails
- Address numbers, grading and drainage away from the structure
- All sub-permits closed out
Most common fail: An open trade permit no one closed, blocking the certificate of occupancy.
Have on site: Approved permit card posted and visible from the street, with the approved plan set on site
Demolition inspections in Portland
Two calls, plus utility sign-offs collected before the first.
- 01
Pre-demolition utility verification
When: Before any structure is touched
- Written gas, electric, water and sewer disconnect confirmations
- Sewer cap location and inspection
- Asbestos survey and, where positive, the abatement clearance
- Erosion control, fencing and rodent abatement
Most common fail: Asbestos survey not attached, which stops demolition regardless of the permit.
Have on site: Utility disconnect letters and the asbestos survey
- 02
Final site / grade
When: After the structure is removed and the site is backfilled
- Basement or foundation removal and clean backfill
- Site graded and stabilized, no standing water
- Debris hauled and disposal tickets available
Most common fail: Foundation walls left in place below grade when full removal was permitted.
Have on site: Disposal tickets
Scheduling rules that hold almost everywhere
- Never cover work ahead of the inspection that covers it. Uncovering costs more than any failed call.
- Every trade permit has to be pulled before that trade's rough can be signed — one missing sub permit voids the whole call.
- Re-inspection fees stack. Two failed finals on one job can outrun the permit fee itself.
- Open trade permits block the certificate of occupancy long after the crew has left. Close them out the week you finish.
Who schedules Portland inspections
Call-in windows, cutoffs and which calls can be combined are set locally by the office below.
Files with
Portland Permitting & Development
Online portal: Development Hub PDX
Oregon CCB contractor licensing is required statewide.
Portland adds its own seismic and stormwater standards.
Get the packet right and the calls get easier
Most failed inspections trace back to the application: a product approval that doesn't match what was installed, a missing load calculation, a scope too vague for the examiner. RapidPermit Systems builds the Portland packet from your shop profile and the job scope, so the paperwork matches the work before the inspector ever shows up.
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