A rental investigation inspection is intended for current residential or commercial tenants who have concerns related to building code, life safety and items that fall under the adopted International Property Maintenance Code of the space currently being leased/rented. If you would like us to perform a free rental investigation inspection please follow these steps: 

1. Download and fill out: 
   • Rental Inspection/Investigation Request Form
2. Email the form to: rentalhousing@fcgov.com
3. After receiving the form an inspector will reach out to schedule an appointment with the occupying tenant who is currently leasing the space and requesting the inspection.  

Inspection results do not nullify or alter the signed lease/legal agreements between landlords and tenants. Inspection results may require improvements to be made in accordance with the International Property Maintenance Code and local amendments. Addition resources for landlords and tenants are available through Neighborhood Services. 

Requesting necessary inspections is the responsibility of the contractor or homeowner. To receive final approval/ completion status for your project, scheduled inspections must be performed by City staff or an approved 3rd party "special inspector." There are different types of Inspections which occur at various phases in a project to assure compliance with building codes.

When selecting AM/PM time slots:

• Homeowners: can expect an inspector to arrive during the selected window.
• Contractors: are not guaranteed a specific time slot

1. Only schedule an inspection when the work is ready for the type of inspection scheduled.

2. Approved plans are the field set, and must be provided on site for inspection and construction. 

• Download the Approved plans from Citizen Portal. 
• Instructions
• No Approved Plans = No inspection

3. Providing access and means for inspections, including:

• Components to be inspected must be readily visible and not concealed or permanently covered.
• Provide readily available access to the work to be inspected by temporary stairs, ladder, or other necessary means to perform the inspection.

An inspector will verify that the work being done conforms to the various codes, regulations, laws, and ordinances applicable to that job. The inspector will also check to ensure the work agrees with the approved set of plans issued with the permit. 

New State Requirement Effective January 1st 2020: Inspector verification of plumbing and electrical licenses in the field. 

• Procedure for Contemporaneous Reviews of Electrical and Plumbing Licenses Handout

If your design needs to change due to unexpected field conditions, owner changes, or other reasons, (after plans have been reviewed), submit a revision. 

Submit a revision (learn more)

1.  Check the permit status: www.fcgov.com/CitizenAccess

• Search Permits / Record Info /  workflow tasks / click on the small '+' to expand/view individual hold comments.   

2.  Plan time to send in final documents. 

• Some departments have a long lead time for review/inspection see Project Closeout Guide for more information
  • Residential Certificate of Occupancy Checklist
  • Commercial Certificate of Occupancy Checklist
  • Multi-family Certificate of Occupancy Checklist

3. Name Building Documents Properly: Public Records Naming for Final Docs.

4. All inspections must be passed.

5. All departments/tasks must be signed off.

6. Most projects will receive a Letter of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy which can be downloaded from Citizen Access when the project is fully completed.

• Certificate of Occupancy For all new buildings and/ or spaces undergoing a change of occupancy or change of use, a Certificate of Occupancy is required prior to occupying the building. 
• Temporary Certificate of Occupancy can be issued for In certain cases for limited permit types other than single-family homes, that are pending minor remaining items. TCOs expire.  
• Letter of Completion is issued for alterations in spaces that already have a Certificate of Occupancy where the projects do not add significantly to the building space, 

7. Uncompleted permits will expire. Expired permits become an open violation on the property. 

Light and Power will inspect temporary power sets after a meter socket can, disconnect, and ground fault protected receptacles are placed on the building site. The permit for the temporary power set is included with the building permit.

This is done after the footing has been formed and any reinforcing steel is installed, but prior to the placement of concrete. Any prescribed below-grade insulation must also be in place.

This is done after the foundation walls have been formed and the reinforcing steel is installed, but also prior to placement of concrete. Any prescribed below-grade insulation must also be in place.

This is done after the underground or under slab plumbing is installed but prior to its being covered. (Water test or five psi air test is required).

This is done when the building sewer (that portion of the drainage system from two feet outside the building to public sewer) is installed, and prior to its being covered.

This is done when the water service piping from the City stop valve to the building is in its place and prior to its being covered. A water test if couplings are used.

The water meter setting must pass inspection before the Certificate of Occupancy or a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.

This is done prior to applying the weather barrier/building wrap, and siding to ensure the sheathing is installed correctly for structural purposes. Once this inspection is passed, the building can be dried-in. Note: Citizen Access workflow will show this inspection as "incomplete" with details of the passing sheathing inspection. A second rough frame inspection will need to be scheduled at a later time (See #15 below).

This shall be made after gas piping, fittings, unions, and valves authorized by the permit have been installed and before any such piping has been covered or concealed or any fixture or appliance has been attached thereto. (A 10 psi air test is required).

This is done after the above ground plumbing (water and drainage piping) is installed, prior to the framing inspection (water test five psi air test is required). Piping must not be covered until after the framing inspection, and where applicable, concurrent with the framing inspection.

The Electrical energize is done when the permanent meter is set. The electrical service equipment must be installed and bonded to a grounding electrode and a ground fault protected receptacle must also be installed. This inspection authorizes utilities to energize equipment when requested by the contractor for electric service to facilitate construction. All energized parts should be suitably protected against accidental contacts after they are energized.

This is done after the heating plant, vent, and duct work has been installed. This inspection should also precede or be concurrent with the framing inspection.

This is done after the premises wiring system has been installed, and it should precede or be concurrent with the framing inspection.

This is also done concurrently with the frame inspection about midway in the laying-up of a masonry fireplace while the lintel across the opening is visible and the smoke chamber can be easily seen and its wall thickness noted. For a factory built fireplace, it should be inspected after the fireplace, the chimney, the chimney framing and the fire stopping is completed, but prior to covering the shaft or fireplace framing members

This is done after the structures walls, floors, and other framing members are in place and after the exterior sheathing has been installed. Additionally, the roof must be completed to the point where the building interior can be considered to be weather protected. All of the sub-systems such as plumbing, mechanical, and electrical must be inspected prior to the installation of wallboard, interior sheathing and insulation. Residential buildings must comply with the "Residential Air Sealing Checklist".

After approval of the framing inspection, insulation may be installed. Prior to the installation of wallboard, an insulation inspection is required which will verify proper R values, air sealing, insulation fire blocking, and general workmanship as required in the Fort Collins Energy Code.

This is done after all work shown on the approved plans has been completed