Environmental Inspections

Prior to construction, a pre-construction conference is held between contractors, developers and environmental inspectors to ensure controls are compliant. Inspections are conducted periodically during construction to ensure that temporary erosion controls are compliant, remain in place, and development is consistent with approved plans. A final environmental inspection is required before the site work is considered complete.

Services Provided:

• Inspect permitted land developments and construction sites for compliance with City environmental protection regulations
   
• Perform site investigations and evaluate best management practices for erosion/sedimentation control and tree preservation and for compliance with landscape and tree ordinances
   
• Perform final inspections of drainage facilities and other site improvements
   
• Perform site investigations to evaluate the need for additional staff support (i.e. involvement of biologists and geologists)
   
• Identify locations of environmentally sensitive resources
   
• Provide technical assistance and education to citizens, community/special interest groups, developers, etc. on environmental/engineering code requirements, ordinances, and regulations
   
• Provide testimony and affidavits for enforcement cases
   
• Issue directives and initiate enforcement actions for non-compliance with environmental and drainage regulations

Inspections

The inspectors are divided up geographically into north and South Zones, Barton Springs Zone, and Landscaping. There is also an enforcement component.

• Pre-Construction Meeting Handout - Residential Sites (PDF)
• Pre-Construction Meeting Handout - Commercial Sites & Subdivisions (PDF)
• Tree Protection and Erosion/Sedimentation Controls Flowchart (PDF)
• Tree Ordinance Review Process (PDF)

Commercial Tree and Environmental Inspectors:

EVCommercial.Inspections@austintexas.gov

Phone: 512-974-2278

Residential Tree and Environmental Inspectors:

Environmental.Inspections@austintexas.gov

Phone: 512-974-2278

Inspector Phone List

Questions or Complaints?

Phone:  3-1-1 (inside the city limits), or 512-974-2000 (outside the city limits)