Inspections

110.1 General. All construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and all such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved by the building official. In addition, certain types of construction shall be subject to inspection, as specified in this code. Approval as a result of an inspection shall not be construed to be an approval of a violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction. Inspections presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid. It shall be the duty of the permit applicant to cause the work to remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes. Neither the building official nor the jurisdiction shall be liable for the expense entailed in the removal or replacement of any material required to allow inspection. A resurvey of the lot may be required by the building official to verify that the structure is located in accordance with the approved plans. 110.2 Preliminary inspection. Before issuing a permit, the building official is authorized to examine or cause to be examined buildings, structures and sites for which an application has been filed. 110.3 Required inspections. The building official, upon notification, shall make the inspections set forth in the following sections. 110.3.1 Footing and foundation inspection. Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place. For concrete foundations, any required forms shall be in place prior to inspection. Reinforcing steel or structural framework of any part of any building or structure shall not be covered or concealed without first obtaining the approval of the building official. All materials for the foundation shall be on the job, except where concrete is ready mixed in accordance with ASTM C94 or other approved nationally recognized standards, the concrete need not be on the job. Where the foundation is to be constructed of approved treated wood, additional inspections may be required by the building official. 110.3.2 Frame inspection. Framing inspections shall be made after the roof deck or sheathing, all framing, fire- blocking and bracing are in place and pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are approved. 110.3.3 Lath, gypsum board and gypsum panel product inspection for partitions required to be fire rated. Lath, gypsum board and gypsum panel product inspections shall be made after lathing, gypsum board and gypsum panel products, interior and exterior, are in place, but before any plastering is applied or gypsum board and gypsum panel product joints and fasteners are taped and finished. Exception: Gypsum board and gypsum panel products that are not part of a fire-resistance-rated assembly or a shear assembly. 110.3.4 Weather-exposed balcony and walking surface waterproofing. Where balconies or other elevated walking surfaces are exposed to water from direct or blowing rain, snow or irrigation, and the structural framing is protected by an impervious moisture barrier, all elements of the impervious moisture barrier system shall not be concealed until inspected and approved. Exception: Where special inspections are provided in accordance with this code. 110.3.5 Fire- and smoke-resistant penetrations. Protection of joints and penetrations in fire-resistance-rated assemblies, smoke barriers and smoke partitions shall not be concealed from view until inspected and approved. 110.3.6 Energy efficiency inspections. Inspections shall be made to determine compliance with the Maui County Energy Code, as amended at the framing inspection and/or final inspection. 110.3.7 Other inspections. In addition to the inspections specified in this code, the building official is authorized to make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced by the building official. 110.3.7.1 Miscellaneous inspections. For any miscellaneous inspection not covered by an issued building permit, the person requesting the inspection shall pay the county a fee as set forth in the annual budget ordinance prior to the miscellaneous inspection. Exceptions: 1. Exemption for adult residential care homes. Where inspections are required pursuant to chapter 100 of the Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules of the State Department of Health, no fee shall be charged for such miscellaneous inspections. 2. Exemption for licensing of day care centers. Where inspections for day care centers are required pursuant to the rules governing licensing of group day care centers and group day care homes of the State Department of Social Services and Housing, no fee shall be charged for such miscellaneous inspections. 110.3.8 Special inspections. When special inspection is required by this code, the architect or structural engineer of record shall prepare an inspection program that shall be submitted to the building official for approval prior to issuance of the building permit. The inspection program shall designate the portions of the work that require special inspection and the name or names of the individuals or firms who are to perform the special inspections, and indicate the duties of the special inspectors. The special inspector shall be employed by the owner, the engineer or architect of record, or an agent of the owner, but not the contractor or any other person responsible for the work. When structural observation is required by this code, the inspection program shall name the individuals or firms who are to perform structural observation and describe the stages of construction at which structural observation is to occur. The inspection program shall include samples of inspection reports and provide time limits for submission of reports. 110.3.9 Final inspection. Final inspection shall be made after finish grading and the building is completed and ready for occupancy. 110.4 Inspection agencies. The building official is authorized to accept reports of approved inspection agencies, provided that such agencies satisfy the requirements as to qualifications and reliability to the satisfaction of the building official. 110.5 Inspection requests. It shall be the duty of the person doing the work authorized by a permit to notify the building official when work is ready for inspection. The building official may require that every request for inspection be filed at least two working days before such inspection is desired. The building official shall determine the method of making such request. It shall be the duty of the person requesting any inspections required by this code to provide access to and means for inspections of such work that are required by this code. 110.6 Approval required. Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the building official. The building official, upon notification, shall make the requested inspections and shall either indicate the portion of the construction that is satisfactory as completed, or notify the permit holder or his or her agent of the permit holder wherein the same fails to comply with this code. Any portions that do not comply shall be corrected and such portion shall not be covered or concealed until authorized by the building official. There shall be a final inspection and approval of all buildings and structures when completed and ready for occupancy and use. 110.7 Reinspections. A reinspection fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made. This section is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection. Reinspection fees may be assessed when the inspection record card is not posted or otherwise available on the work site, the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is requested, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official. To obtain a reinspection, the applicant shall file an application therefor in writing on a form furnished for the purpose and pay the reinspection fee as set forth in the annual budget ordinance. In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required fees have been paid. 110.8 Certifications. The building official may require a letter of certification from any architect or engineer whose stamp appears on the approved building permit application or permit plans certifying that certain elements of the work authorized by a permit complies with this code before the final inspection is approved. Certification may be expressed as a professional opinion and may be subject to the scope of services provided contractually by said architect or engineer and facts known by said architect or engineer. ( Ord. No. 5507 , § 2, 2023) SECTION 111 CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY