Inspection Procedures

Occupied and Down Electrical/Gas Inspections

Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to provide information on classifying, scheduling, and inspecting emergency electric and gas permits that involve weather damage, or repairs caused by mechanical failures.

  • Emergency repairs are those that require a same day inspection to restore electricity or gas after a storm or mechanical damage to these systems.
  • Changes to the electrical system due to work that is scheduled and voluntary or the replacement of gas appliances are not considered emergencies and are required to be scheduled.
  • When acquiring the permit, please detail the scope of work or repairs, include the location of the electric/gas meters and location of a gas testing gauge if required.

Emergency Repairs

  1. Submit permit at https://selfservice.wacotx.gov/EnerGov/SelfService/#/home
  2. Notify Permits@wacotx.gov of the submission:
    1. Please include the address and permit number if possible.
    2. Please include if repair is ready for inspection.
    3. Please advise if an electrical temporary power letter has been uploaded to the permit attachments.
  3. Pay your permit through the portal or in person at the permits office.
  4. Once paid:
    1. Please call (254) 750-5612 to schedule your inspection.

Scheduled Work

  1. Submit permit thru https://selfservice.wacotx.gov/EnerGov/SelfService/#/home
  2. Pay invoice through the portal or in person at the permits office.
  3. If you require an electrical temporary final inspection and have uploaded your electrical temporary power letter,
    1. Please notify Permits@wacotx.gov regarding the upload for review.
  4. If an electrical temporary power letter is approved,
    1. Please submit your inspection online through the portal (prior to 4:00pm to qualify for next day inspection).
  5. On the day of your inspection, you must contact (254) 750-5612 or Permits@wacotx.gov to coordinate with staff/inspectors and confirm that the inspection is on schedule for that day.
    1. In this phone call, you may be asked to notify inspections or the inspector directly that you are ready for inspection.
  6. We cannot guarantee scheduled work will be prioritized if this procedure is not followed.

Hard Wired Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The following is a list of items to determine if a hard-wired smoke alarm and/or carbon monoxide alarm will be required and installed throughout the existing residence. The requirements are for all exiting single family and duplex structure. 2015-2018 IRC Section 314 and 315.

Physical Interconnection of alarms is allowed by installing listed wireless alarms where all alarms will sound with activation of one alarm. 2015/2018 IRC Section 314.4

Carbon monoxide alarms are required in each swelling with fuel fired appliances or an attached garage 2015/2018 IRC Section 315.

Permit HWSA CMA
Demolition of interior walls Yes Yes
Addition of interior walls (for sleeping area) Yes Yes
Widening of existing doorway No No
Addition of closet within an existing area No No
Replacement of floor joist and/or deck No No
Creating a new window opening or new bay window Yes Yes
Creating a new interior door opening No No
Creating a new interior door opening that is used to access a previously not habitable space Yes Yes
Creating an exterior door opening Yes Yes
Relocating a door opening inside the house No No
Replacement of sheetrock (Exterior wall or ceiling) Yes Yes
Repair fire damage Yes Yes
Raise existing ceiling Yes Yes
Demolition of any part of the exterior walls or living area Yes Yes
Tagged structures (Required in write up) Yes Yes
60 Day code enforcement write up (Required in write up) Yes Yes
Any fuel fired appliance (New or repair) No Yes
Water heater (Only if swelling has fuel fired appliance or attached garage) No Yes
Any interior electrical work that requires a permit Yes Yes
Addition of an attached garage No Yes
New electrical wiring penetrating the exterior building walls or roof deck Yes Yes

Any addition to the house for anything other than a porch, carport, patio, or deck will require installation of hard-wired smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

The following will not require installation of hard-wired smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms:

  • Siding
  • Roofing
  • Replacement of existing windows
  • Leveling
  • Addition of porch, carport, patio, or deck