Virtual, Video and Photo
Re-Inspection Guidance
To help reduce inspection wait times, there are some circumstances that virtual re-inspections (live video call), videos and/or photos will be allowed in lieu of an in-person re-inspection to help keep average inspection wait times less than two business days. The following is not an extensive list and final decisions on whether to accept an alternative as opposed to an in-person re-inspection will be on a case-by-case basis and left to the inspector to use their professional judgement.
Procedures for Virtual, Video and Photo Re-Inspections
If it is determined during the initial inspection that a virtual, video or photo re-inspection will be allowed, the following steps will need to be taken:
- DO NOT BACKFILL until you have received written authorization from the inspector. An in-person re-inspection may still be required if virtual requirements are not met. For all re-inspections, backfill approval will only be issued after the inspector has completed the re-inspection, reviewed all photos or videos, and has verified that all requirements are satisfied.
- Notification will be provided by the inspector and will include the following:
- Details of what is missing or needs to be corrected
- Confirmation of what type of re-inspection will be acceptable
- Virtual re-inspections are preferred, followed by videos and then photos due to the detail that can be seen in each option and the reduced need for follow-up and additional information.
- Please be advised that if a virtual, video or photo re-inspection is offered, you are still allowed to request an in-person re-inspection. These alternative re-inspections are not required and are offered as a faster substitute.
- All virtual re-inspections, including videos and photos, need the following:
- Be completed during daylight hours for optimal lighting
- Show all the corrections that have been made to the system
- Confirms the location of the video/photo such as coordinates from a phone app
When ready for re-inspection, submit a request through the online portal, Permit Center
- Add a note in Comments/Gate Code section that a virtual, video or phone re-inspection is being requested
- If you are providing a video and/or photos, include in the comments what was sent, how it was sent and where (Ex: Photo re-inspection requested, photos of correct inspection risers were e-mailed to Joe Inspector at inspector@maricopa.gov)
- When sending an e-mail or text message to the inspector, you must include the permit number, or it will not be processed
- Video and/or Photo re-inspections will be reviewed within 1 business day of receipt, during regular office hours
- For virtual re-inspections, these will be scheduled within 2 business days of the request
Types of Re-Inspections
Virtual Re-Inspections and Video Re-Inspections
Videos and/or Virtual Re-inspections are a great way for the inspector to see the system in action or to look over multiple areas of the system at a time. Evidence will be required to confirm that the inspection is completed at the correct site, which could include structures or monuments in the background and/or GPS coordinates through a phone app. For virtual re-inspections, it is best to schedule a time with the inspector beforehand, so all parties are prepared, and to confirm what requirements will need to be met. If sending in a video, confirm with the inspector what needs to be shown on the video to obtain approval.
Below is an example list of red-tagged items where a video or virtual re-inspection may be accepted:
- Water not draining from the tank or unequal flow out of the distribution box
- Tank is not filled/water level is low - allowed on a case-by-case basis, requires the tank to be filled 24 hours, need to see all sides of the tank
- D-box/Tank/Other Component connections are leaking
- Cracked, broken or twisted chambers or EZflow bundles
- Foundation setback, to see the full tape measurement from foundation to system
- Alternatives - missing components (headworks, electrical, venting, air breakers, alarm panel)
Photo Evidence Re-Inspections
Photos may also be accepted in lieu of an in-person re-inspection in certain cases. As with the video, evidence will be required to confirm that the inspection is completed at the correct site, which could include structures or monuments in the background and/or GPS stamps through a phone application. If a photo re-inspection is authorized, confirm with the inspector what requirements will need to be met to obtain approval.
Below is an example list of red-tagged items where a photo may be accepted:
- Uncovered tank stamps showing the size and manufacturer
- Tank risers, sealed to tank with measurement shown, cannot be more than 6” below grade
- Inspection ports in drain field were not high enough, cannot be more than 6” below grade
- Missing inspection ports (not including trench or pits), need to confirm height and perforations
- Tank inlet t-baffles and outlet t-baffles w/filter (missing or installed incorrectly) Pull handle on filter if needed
- D-box installed backwards, not level, or pipes need trimming
- Geotextile fabric missing
- Wrong pipes (only for connector pipes – not the perforated pipes within the trenches or pit)
- Mag detail for tank, seepage pit and/or Presby inspection ports
- Rubber coupler needing to be replaced by PVC
- Trench or Seepage pit, needs additional rock to cover pipe
- Caps at ends of pipe or chambers
- Vents on Presby / Eljen - attached and correct height
- Components installed correctly, e.g., Presby tubes with seam up
- Eljen pads that have already been inspected and confirmed sand depth below pads, only need to confirm sand from bottom of pad to top of pad
In-Person Re-Inspections
In-Person re-inspections will be required on the following:
- Anytime that all or part of the system needs to be moved, replaced, extended or installed
- Ex: Partial installations, separation or setbacks are not met and the tank or drain field needs to be moved and/or extended
- Items that are hard to confirm through photo or video
- Inspection ports in Trenches & Seepage pits – cannot confirm they extend all the way down and if they are perforated (Chambers okay if they can pull the riser out of the chamber to verify)
- Corrections to drain field length, width, diameter or depth (including alternative systems)
- Level Trenches (including chambers, EZflow, )
- Wrong pipe and/or aggregate in trenches, seepage pit or alternative drain fields are installed, need to confirm that all pipe and/or aggregate have been replaced
- Tank does not meet code – tank dimensions, height of inlet/outlet holes,
- Premature backfills or unable to access a portion of the system to complete the initial inspection
- Need additional soil testing due to installation at a deeper depth
The photo below is done during daylight hours, shows the inspection risers on the tank along with a visual of the house and coordinates of the lot.
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