Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Inspections
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Inspections
If you are a General Contractor, or are acting as your own contractor, you may call in your own building inspections, but you can’t call in inspections for your trades. To schedule a building inspection by phone, dial (912) 651-6530 ext. 2498. You must call in before 4:00 PM in order to receive an inspection on the next business day. We do not do same day building inspections. Inspections called in after 4:00 PM will be scheduled for the day after next. When you call in, please have your permit number and job address to ensure that your inspection is scheduled against the correct permit. For more information about inspection requests, such as how to make a request by email, fax, or the City’s online permit tracking system (eTRAC), visit the Inspections page here:
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The City will process the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) within two business days following submittal of all required documents, receipt of all approvals, and completion of all required inspections. For a list of items to be completed before a CO can be issued, view the “Commercial Building Project Closeout Checklist”.Inspections
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Re-inspection fees are assigned at the discretion of the inspector. One big reason for imposing a re-inspection fee is if the work is not ready when the inspector arrives.Inspections
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If your inspection passes, your inspector will sign your inspection card. If it does not pass, they will leave you a correction notice that will indicate the necessary changes. You can also obtain inspection results by accessing our online permit tracking system, eTRAC, at https://eTRAC.savannahga.gov. For more information on how to register and log on to eTRAC, visit www.savannahga.gov, Development, Permits for Construction, eTRAC. You may also obtain your inspection results by calling our office at (912) 651-6530 and press the appropriate option for building inspections or trade inspections.Inspections
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It depends on the project. Some projects may only require a final inspection, while a more complex project may require hundreds of inspections. The sign-off card may be used as general guide, but we also recommend that you be present for each of your inspections so that you can communicate with each of the inspectors to discuss your job and to find out what type of inspections will be required.Inspections
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To find out the time your inspection will take place, please contact your inspector on the morning of the inspection between the hours of 7:15 AM and 8:30 AM at (912) 651-6530, then pressing option two. Your inspector will provide you with a specific meeting time or with a morning/afternoon inspection window.Inspections
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See the below document City of Savannah Construction & Life Safety Codes.Inspections
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Your plumber, electrician, and HVAC contractor are all considered ‘trades,’ and will therefore all receive ‘trade’ inspections. The rest of the inspections are considered ‘building’ inspections, and they would include things like framing, insulation and drywall.Inspections
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Development Services employs a group of highly skilled and credentialed professional inspectors for the building group and for each of the trade categories. Depending upon the scope of the work, you could have up to four separate inspectors. You will, however, likely have the same inspector within a category throughout the course of your project.Inspections
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No. The trade subcontractor must call in his or her own inspections. Trade inspection requests may be called in between 7:15 AM and 4:00 PM. Inspection requests received before 8:30 AM may be scheduled for the same day. All inspection requests received after 8:30 AM will be scheduled for the next business day.Inspections
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Once you have completed an electrical final, your inspector will notify the Electrical Principal who is responsible for sending the necessary paperwork to Georgia Power via fax. This is usually done within one business day after you pass your final inspection. If your structure is in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the 100 year floodplain, you may need to submit a "Finish Construction" Elevation Certificate or other documentation prior to the power release. Ask your Building or Electrical Inspector, or contact the City's Floodplain Administrator, Tom McDonald, at (912) 651-6530 if you are unsure the structure is in the SFHA.Inspections
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See the below document "City of Savannah Construction & Life Safety Codes" for the mechanical code enforced.Inspections
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See the below document "City of Savannah Construction & Life Safety Codes" for the electrical code enforced.Inspections
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See the below document "City of Savannah Construction & Life Safety Codes" for the plumbing code enforced.Inspections
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Yes, our inspectors have morning office hours from 7:15 to 9:00 M-F. You can speak to the inspector that will perform your inspection by calling (912)651-6530 during this time. You can also request inspections through the City's online permit tracking system eTRAC.Inspections
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Once you have completed the plumbing final, your inspector will notify the Plumbing Principal who will email the release to Atlanta Gas Light.. This is usually done within one business day after you pass your final inspection.Inspections
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The inspectors post inspection results in the morning for the previous day’s inspections. They are available on-line or by calling the inspections office at 912-651-6530, then pressing option two for trade inspections. You can also view inspection results through the City's online permit tracking system, eTRAC.Inspections
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Your inspector will sign your card if it is posted next to building permit, as required. In addition to signing the inspection card the inspection result will also be posted in the on-line permit tracking system, eTRAC, on the morning following the inspection.Inspections
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You can request trade inspections (mechanical, electrical or plumbing) until 8:30 am on the day of the inspection. Inspections called in after 8:30 am will be scheduled for the next business day.Inspections
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Once all final inspections have been satisfactorily completed, there may be other items required before a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) can be issued, such as Site Acceptance, payment of Water and Sewer Fees, etc. For a list of items to be completed before a CO can be issued, view the Commercial Building Project Closeout Checklist. The City will process the CO within two business days following submittal of all required documents, receipt of all approvals, and completion of all required inspections.Inspections
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A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is issued when a structure is originally built or there is a change of use. Certificates of Completion are issued for all renovations, including attached additions.Inspections