Inspections for commercial projects require the same basic inspections that are required for most residential projects, except that commercial projects will often require more inspections which are of a 'different' character or more 'detailed' than residential inspections. During the construction of some projects it is not possible to provide all the inspections that are necessary, when this occurs 'special' inspections are required by the Building Department.

Special inspections are performed by individuals who are qualified, licensed, or certified by the State of Oregon to perform the type of inspection required, and are required to be 'approved' to perform those inspections by the Building Department prior to making the necessary inspections.