Residential Building & Renovation
Building Inspections
Building Inspection Requests
Call 905-546-2424 ext. 7777
Email [email protected]
Questions about Building Inspections?
Call 905-546-2424 ext. 2720
Email [email protected]
Building Inspection Requests
Send us an email to:
- schedule inspections
- speak with a building inspector
- file complaints about construction without a permit
- file a notice of a potentially unsafe building
- ask questions about the inspection process or issued permits
Property owners and contractors can start construction once their Building Permit is approved. Holding a Building Permit and completing building inspections ensures construction meets the Ontario Building Code and all other applicable laws.
The Building Permit holder is responsible for:
- calling to arrange inspections at the required inspection stages
- ensuring construction meets the Ontario Building Code
- posting the issued Building Permit on-site in a conspicuous location
- having all issued Building Permit documentation available on site for requested inspections
Contractors can also schedule building inspections on the permit holder’s behalf. Make sure you set up your inspections on time to avoid delays.
Schedule a Building Permit Inspection
Schedule an Inspection
To schedule an inspection, call 905-546-2424 ext. 7777, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or email [email protected].
Inspection requests will be completed within 2 business days as per Ontario Building Code.
You will need to have this information available:
- Contact information (name and phone number)
- Building permit number
- Property address
- Preferred date and time (am or pm) for the requested inspection
- The type of inspection
Cancel an Inspection
Contact us as soon as possible. If work is not ready and you do not cancel a scheduled inspection before the building inspector arrives, you may be subject to additional fees.
Schedule an Inspection Online
Did you apply for a building permit online through the City of Hamilton's Customer Portal?
After signing in to my.hamilton.ca, select the Building Permits category. Navigate to Getting Started and select Permitting & Inspections. Select an action and follow the steps.
Inspection requests will be completed within 2 business days as per Ontario Building Code.
You will need to have this information available:
- Contact information (name and phone number)
- Building permit number
- Property address
- Preferred date and time (am or pm) for the requested inspection
- The type of inspection
Need Help?
- For assistance with my.hamilton.ca and login troubleshooting visit My.hamilton Portal FAQs
- For assistance with applying, visit Planning, Permitting, Licensing & By-Law System
Cancel an Inspection
Contact us as soon as possible. If work is not ready and you do not cancel a scheduled inspection before the building inspector arrives, you may be subject to additional fees.
Inspections at key stages of construction are conducted to make sure the construction has proceeded as planned and in accordance with the approved permit drawings, Ontario Building Code regulations and other relevant municipal by-laws. These inspections are mandatory and legislated by the Ontario Building Code.
Failure to get an inspection at the proper stages may require you to uncover work that was completed. Schedule your inspections as work progresses to reduce extra costs or delays to your project.
You must have your Building Permits posted on site and the approved construction drawings on site for each inspection. You can book more than one inspection at a time.
When to Call for an Inspection
For most projects, you will need to schedule inspections for one or more of these required inspection stages:
| Inspection Type | Schedule This Inspection | What We Inspect |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-construction on-site meeting | Prior to commencement of construction | A review of the issued permit documents to identify any markups or changes and to review required inspections for the scope of work. |
| Footing Inspection | Prior to pouring footings | Formwork and reinforcing for footings, column pads, and structural slabs-on-grade. |
| Backfill | Prior to backfilling foundation excavations | Drainage layer, weeping tile, and stone cover for the weeping tile. |
| Sanitary Sewer | Prior to backfilling the installed sanitary sewer line | Sanitary sewer line installation, ensuring proper slope/fall and required cleanouts installed. Ball Test will be performed in presence of Building Inspector. |
| Storm Sewer | Prior to backfilling the installed storm sewer line. | Storm sewer line installation, ensuring proper slope/fall and required cleanouts installed. Ball Test will be performed in presence of Building Inspector. |
| Water Service Pipe | Prior to backfilling the installed water service line | Water service line installation, ensuring proper separation from sanitary lines, proper sizing, tracer wire installation (plastic pipe only). |
| Building Drains Inspection | Prior to installation of the required radon barrier. | All underground plumbing, sewage systems, and backwater protection are installed and and have proper slope/fall and ensuring no leaks . System to be under test upon arrival and Ball Test will be performed in presence of Building Inspector |
| Radon Inspection | Prior to pouring of the concrete floor slab | The sub-soil pipes, and rough-in of depressurization systems have been installed, as well as the installation of an air barrier system. |
| Underslab Insulation | Prior to pouring of the concrete floor slab | REQUIRED under slab insulation has been installed. |
| Plumbing Rough-In | When all above ground plumbing supply lines and drainage piping have been installed. | Above ground water supply lines, drainage and vent piping. ALL DWV pipes and water lines are required to be under air or water test prior to the inspectors arrival on site. |
| HVAC Rough-In | When all above ductwork has been installed. | Ductwork installation, sealing of joints, location of supply and return outlets. |
| Structural Inspections | When all framing has been completed and prior to any insulation being installed. Plumbing, HVAC and electrical rough-ins must be complete before requesting a structural inspection. | All structural components of the building. Layout of the building ensuring adherance to the approved plans. |
| Air Barrier | Prior to installation of any above grade thermal insulation | Installation air barrier system, ensuring proper continuity and sealing. |
| Insulation - Vapour Barrier | Prior to installation of drywall | Installation of thermal insulation ensuring proper R-values, installation of vapour barrier system ensuring continuity and sealing. |
| Fire Separations | When all joints in one side of a separation have been taped and mudded. | Installation of sound insulation, sealing of one side of fire separations/shaft wall system, completion of fire separation or fire wall. |
| Fire Separations | When all joints in the second side of a fire separation have been taped and mudded and all fire Stopping of penetrations through fire separation(s) have been completed. | Completion of the second side of fire separations/shaft wall system. Installation of fire stopping, and smoke seals for penetrations through required fire separations. |
| Fire Protection Systems | When installation of life safety components (i.e. smoke alarms, sprinklers, commercial kitchen exhaust hoods) have been completed. | Installation of smoke alarms and CO detectors. Completion of the fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, standpipe, commercial kitchen exhaust systems and emergency lighting systems. All systems are required to be tested during inspection. |
| Septic Base Layer | Prior to installation of an sewage system piping. | Underlying soil type. Ensure size and location of system are as per approved design. |
| Septic Layout | Prior to covering sewage system piping. | Ensure proper layout and slope of piping. Proper number and length of runs. |
| Septic Tank Installation | Prior to backfilling tank. | Ensure proper location. Checking for proper slope on piping between building and tank and tank and the bed. |
| Occupancy | Upon substantial completion of construction and PRIOR to occupying the building. | Ensuring all building components are completed on interior of building (i.e. life safety, finishes, all washrooms, etc) and minimum exterior components have been completed (i.e. cladding, grading around building, principal entrance, etc) |
| Grading Inspection | Upon completion of final grading as per the approved grading plan. | Installation of seed/sod, swales or other required landscaping components (i.e retaining walls, soak away pits). |
| Final Inspection | When all work under the scope of a Building Permit has been completed. | Completion of work under the approved building permit and OBC requirements. |
*The request for an Occupancy Inspection must be accompanied by the appropriate Occupancy Application Form.
**Grading (where applicable) must be complete prior to final inspection. Where applicable, such as infill residential development, a final grading certificate from the consultant, along with the Lot Grading Certificate Declaration Form must be submitted at time of final grading inspection.
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