Construction site with new water pipes in the ground

The Site and Subdivision Inspection Division performs inspections of site work for commercial development in the right-of-way before building construction begins. The inspectors ensure the proposed public infrastructure, including water and wastewater service, streets, sidewalks, driveways, storm sewer, curb inlets, water quality ponds, ADA ramps, etc. are in compliance with the Land Development Code and the City's Standard Specifications Manual and Standards Manual.

Once the work and infrastructure are complete, and the work passes inspection, an acceptance letter is issued to the property owner. Once an acceptance letter is issued, vertical construction may begin. The completed infrastructure becomes assets of the City to be maintained by the City.

Once construction is completed, a Certificate of Compliance is issued to the property owner, and the site development permit is considered closed.


Services Provided By Site and Subdivision Inspections

  • Water and wastewater installation and construction inspections
  • Street, sidewalk, driveway, bridge construction inspections
  • Storm system inspections
How to Apply - Site and Subdivision and Tap Inspections

 

step 1  Submit your Permit Application

Complete the Project Intake Procedures and Submittal Requirement (PDF) application and email it to Site & Subdivision Intake at SiteSubIntake@austintexas.gov

*Note: An updated Project Information Sheet must be submitted when a change in Ownership / Contractor / Sub-Contractor takes place.

 

step 2  Make a Payment

Once the Project Intake Procedures and Submittal Requirements (PDF) are met, an invoice will be generated and emailed to the applicant. You will need to log into your AB+C account to make an online payment.

Once fees have been paid, reach out to Site and Subdivision Intake and notify them that the fees have been paid.

 

step 3  Application Review, Processing, and Approval

A Site & Subdivision Inspector will be assigned to the project once it is released based on the project's geographical location.

 

Inspection Process

 

After your project has been released and an inspector has been assigned to the project

​​

step 1  Pre-Construction (Pre-Con) Meeting

The assigned Inspector will review the permitted plans and project documentation to prepare an agenda and will call to schedule a Pre-Con meeting. The Inspector will meet on-site to explain the inspection process, clarify questions regarding materials, and discuss items discovered during plan review. The Pre-Con meeting may also include the Inspection Supervisor, Engineer, Environmental Inspector, Owner, and other City, County, or public entities as appropriate.

 

For Austin Water (AW) water meters:

  • If you need to exchange and upgrade your meter, contact AW Taps Office to ensure requirements have been completed via plan review, permitting, and development fees have been paid.
     
  • If you have an existing meter, it needs to be returned to the Inspector. This is a critical component to avoid lost/stolen meters, update the account to ensure accurate billing, and to avoid potential fees for missing City of Austin equipment.
     

 step 2  Authorized Construction

Contractor locates existing utilities through OneCall (8-1-1) before digging starts.

  • Address must be always posted on the site and visible from the street throughout the construction process.
     
  • All applicable project permits must always be kept current and available on-site for review.
     
  • Prior to the start of construction, erosion, and sediment controls as well as tree protection measures need to be in place if applicable to your project. For more information, please reference the Tree Protection and Erosion/Sedimentation Controls Flowchart.

 

These inspections may be conducted at any time after the pre-con meeting:

SSI Inspection Process

Inspections and testing occur at critical stages during the construction process. Examples include earthwork and excavation, utility installation including pipe, bedding and backfill, street installation or repairs, concrete placement of curb & gutter, sidewalks, driveways, and drainage structures. The Contractor must ensure excavation is maintained for safety of the public along with coordinating inspections and testing with the assigned DSD Inspector. The Inspector will schedule inspections and testing with a 24-hour notice.

 

​​Water/Wastewater Inspection Process

  1. Excavate to expose existing utility for tie-in. Verify approved Right of Way/Excavation Permits.
     
  2. Coordinate with Austin Water Pipeline Operations to coordinate valve turn testing and formal shutouts and of existing utility infrastructure lines (if applicable).
     
  3. Set tapping saddle (water line) or cut in “tee” (water/wastewater) according to COA-approved plans.
     
  4. Tap/cut service main.
     
  5. Excavate trench for service line.
     
  6. Place service line from saddle/ ”tee” to meter box or clean out location.
     
  7. Place backfill in trench of utility tie-in and service line.
     
  8. Set meter boxes for water service line and/or clean out for wastewater service line.
     
  9. Execute temporary/permanent trench repairs to excavation and roadway.

 

Close Out/Acceptance Process


step 1  Final Inspection, Closeout/Acceptance

When construction is complete, a Final Inspection walk-through will be conducted to ensure that the project is within the permitted scope and meets code compliance. A list of all deficiencies and corrections is generated via Punch List. The Contractor shall remedy all Punch List items prior to completing the project Closeout documents and submit to the Inspector.

  • For AW Tap projects greater than $10,000, the Engineer is required to submit the completed Project Construction Summary form. The Contractor is required to submit the Final Cost and Quantities to begin Closeout. The Inspector will review and approve the Closeout documents and verify COA-approved plans.
  • For residential AW Tap projects less than $10,000, the Contractor is required to submit the completed Final Cost and Quantities and the Inspector will submit the Final Inspection Summary Report to begin Closeout. The Inspector will review and approve the Closeout documents and verify COA-approved plans.
  • Approved Closeout documents will be issued to the Inspection Supervisor for final review and approval to proceed with drafting the Acceptance Letter. Please note all pending and outstanding Inspection Fees (if applicable) must be paid in order for the Acceptance Letter to be processed. *Note: Additional fees may be generated before acceptance if and when the total inspection hours used surpasses the original estimation.

 

step 2  Acceptance Letter, Water Meters Requested

Once the Acceptance Letter is issued, the Contractor may request AW water meters.

Water Meters 1” and smaller: contact the AW Taps Office to request release of water meter(s). Meters are typically provided within 2-10 business days.

Water Meters 1.5” and larger: coordinate retrieval and installation with the assigned Inspector.

Once the AW water meter has completed installation, the Service Request data confirming installation details, date, meter number, meter size, and premise address will be returned to AW Taps for customers’ billing account to be updated.

 

step 3  Warranty Release

Prior to the end of the 1-year Warranty Bond period, a Warranty walk-through will be held. The walk-through is similar to the Final Inspection process to identify any necessary corrections as well as review of final documentation. Upon completion of all items requiring correction, a 1-year Warranty Release Letter will be provided.

For questions please contact SiteSubIntake@austintexas.gov

 

Most Common Items that Prohibit and Delay Project Acceptance

Submittal of accurate and matching Final Cost & Quantities, Construction Summary, Intersection Drawings, and As-Built Plans are required to achieve Project Acceptance. Below is a list of the most common items that prohibit and delay project acceptance through the Site and Subdivision Inspection processes. These are listed to provide awareness in assisting the development community to have a smoother and more expeditious project.

Final Cost & Quantities

  • Incomplete or inaccurate project cost
  • Discrepancy from original contract cost
  • Inaccurate project cost and quantities in comparison with plans

Construction Summary

  • Incomplete or inaccurate project cost
  • Inaccurate construction summary material or quantities in comparison with plans

Intersection Drawings

  • Drawings do not match plan set
  • Inaccurate locations and measurements

As-Built Plan Set

  • Inspector not provided the with most up-to-date corrected/revised plans
  • Inaccurate construction summary material, cost, or quantities in comparison with plans
  • Indecipherable and/or incomplete plan set submitted

Maintenance Bond

  • Maintenance bond does not match the final reported cost of the project in the right-of-way
  • Submittal does not follow the template format and required information

Timing

  • Project close-out documentation is given at different times requiring a lengthier review process
  • Project connecting into a proposed or unaccepted project

Additional Austin Water Maps & Record Items

  • Final cost & quantities, construction summary, valve turn report and intersections not matching plans
  • Invalid or incorrect easement document numbers
Staff Contacts with Phone Numbers

John Cruz
Division Manager
o: 512-974-1590
c: 512-605-9745


Joe Campos
Program Manager
o: 512-974-7235
c: 512-632-1205


Mariya Becker
Customer Service Rep.
o: 512-974-2364
c: 512-228-6983


Robert Musto
Inspection Supervisor
o: 512-974-7235
c: 512-552-2839


Alfredo Govea
Inspector C
c: 512-632-2733


Carl Lind
Inspector C
c: 512-665-0389


Ernesto Cornejo
Inspector C
c: 512-665-3072


John Reyes
Inspector C
c: 512-552-3846


Joseph Nunez
Inspector C
c: 512-431-5924


Kevin Barker
Inspector C
c: 512-596-7854


Kevin Bunton
Inspector C
c: 512-550-1895


Mario Ochoa
Inspector C
c: 512-599-3830


Roy Govea
Inspector C
c: 512-574-3095


Tommy Darity
Inspector C
c: 512-632-7495


Keith Ellison
Inspection Supervisor
o: 512-974-9751
c: 512-596-9093


Adam Cabello
Inspector C
c: 512-596-6934


Chris Davis
Inspector C
c: 512-228-6486


Christopher Gonzalez
Inspector C
c: 512-599-2459


Kevin Ray
Inspector C
c: 512-578-8869


Patrick Cadet
Inspector C
c: 512-596-7083


Roberto Torres
Inspector C
c: 512-599-3176


Jerron Wilburn
Inspector C
c: 512-903-1066


Terrence Artis
Inspector C
c: 737-262-5712


Terry Faz
Inspector C
c: 512-658-0902


Vivid Cannon
Inspector C
c: 737-262-4473


Andrew Honerlah
Inspector C
c: 512-633-0233


Jimmy Juarez
Inspector C
c: 512-496-7298


TAPS

Randy Maze
Inspector C
c: 737-881-0053


Perkins Sexton
Inspector C
c: 512-647-8675


Israel Ranero
Inspector C
c: 512-221-6997

Site and Subdivision Resources
Appointments

If you would like to set up a 20 minute appointment to ask questions regarding the Site and Subdivision Inspection application process. 

 

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