Virtual Inspection Instructions & Tips!

Virtual Inspection Protocol

(as of January 10, 2022)

The City of Marietta is now requiring all "stand-alone" MEP inspections, such as water heaters and HVAC changeouts, in occupied homes be accomplished virtually by way of the Webex application. This is available for free for both Android and IOS devices. This provides a safer and cleaner inspection process for our residents and inspectors, and can be done the day of installation during normal working hours.

Please see the inspection checklists for either HVAC (PDF) or Water Heater Changeout (PDF).

Download Cisco WebEx!

  • It is the responsibility of the permitting contractor to ensure installers on-site have Webex capability. We will not do a virtual inspection with the homeowner, as your installer is the representative of your permitted work on each site.
  • When an inspection is needed, the installer will call our main number, 770-794-5659, Option 8, and leave a voicemail for the inspector. You can also send the Inspector, Tim Warner, an email.

The email and voicemail shall include:

  1. Site address
  2. Installer's and company name
  3. Installer's phone number
  4. Requested time for inspection
  • Please provide a 30 minute window for inspection time and schedule at least 1 hour in advance.
  • We will contact you via Webex for the inspection, or contact you prior to the inspection via your phone number to discuss any possible conflicts
  • This does, per code, require that you have your permit purchased and displayed on site at the time of the installation/ inspection.
  • Our inspector will guide the inspection, beginning with verifying site address.
  • Please call 770-794-5659, Option 8, for any questions or concerns.

Video Inspections

  • Occasionally, you may have an emergency repair on the weekend or after hours.We appreciate that you will follow the proper code requirements and permitting procedures and will allow the items in each checklist, below, for HVAC or Water Heater, to be recorded on phone video to be used in lieu of a separate, in person, virtual inspection.
    • If same-day inspection is not possible (work completed outside of normal working hours), a video of the inspection can be accepted in lieu of virtual inspection. Email video to Building Inspector Tim Warner. Video will be reviewed and inspection will be approved or failed and results emailed to applicant via Sages software.
  • Please make sure the subject line or title of each video submittal is clearly labeled with the respective address and "Virtual Video Inspection".

  • Transmit: You may email the video as a. MOV or. MP4 file, however, this may not be accepted by our servers, and you may need to send the large file as a.zip to ensure it arrives to us safely.
    • You may also create your own YouTube channel to upload your videos to and share the link via email. (Using YouTube as a medium keeps the video from taking up much needed data and space on your side and ours.) Vimeo is also an acceptable share site. Share sites that allow you to send us a link greatly reduce the amount of space on our server and yours for storing and playback of the file.
    • We will always verify the address in your subject line of any email that may include a link to a video, as to alleviate any type of phishing attempt or malware attack on our City.

Helpful Tips

The Inspection: Both HVAC & Water Heater

  • Flip camera around, we will see what you see-
  • Show us the house ADDRESS that matches what is permitted. This can either be the mailbox or on the house as we go to the door.
  • Always advise homeowner that you are doing a virtual inspection and that you have the City of Marietta inspector on Webex with you when you go into a house with the video on.
  • " Take" us with you to the unit(s) that have been changed out. We want to see what you see as you go into the attic or basement.
  • Ensuring all electronic devices to be used during the inspection are fully charged and that whoever is using the device at the location has a battery pack available.
  • Verifying that the jobsite has either high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity or a minimum of 4G cell service with a strong signal.
  • Making sure onsite personnel has the necessary physical tools - e.g. flashlight, tape measure and selfie pole to access elevated areas - to conduct inspections.
  • Ensuring good lighting and clear the areas to be inspected of clutter.
  • Making sure the lens portion of each device is clean to get clear shots of the work.

During a virtual inspection, contractors should follow all the inspector's instructions and make sure that whoever is on the jobsite to facilitate the inspection is trained to use the required mobile devices and is familiar with the work being inspected.

  • E number to discuss any possible conflicts.
  • If same day inspection is not possible (work completed outside of normal working hours), a video of the inspection can be accepted in lieu of virtual inspection. Email video to Building Inspector, Tim Warner. Video will be reviewed and inspection will be approved or failed and results emailed to applicant via Sages software.
  • This does, per code, require that you have your permit purchased and displayed on site at the time of the installation/ inspection.
  • Our inspector will guide the inspection, beginning with verifying site address.
  • Please call 770-794-5659, Option 8 for any questions or concerns.

PDF Guidelines for Virtual Inspections