Residential Building & Renovation

Building Inspections

Inspection Line

Call 905-546-2424 ext. 7777

Building Inspector talking on phone standing outside City Hall with Building Division vehicle

One Call Does it All!

Building Inspection Line

Call us 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

Call 905-546-2424 ext 7777

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

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 an Inspection

Required Inspection Stages

Inspections are Important

You can schedule a building inspection during our business hours Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Schedule an Inspection

To schedule an inspection, call 905-546-2424 x 7777, or email [email protected].

Staff will ask you a few questions and take down your information which will be logged into a database. An appointment will be set up and a file created so your request will be tracked for your convenience.

Call before 3 pm to book your inspection for the following working day.

Staff will ask you a few questions, please be ready to provide:

Your contact information (name and phone number)
Building permit number
Property address

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.

When conducting inspections, building inspectors must be able to see the work that is being inspected. If you have covered anything that needs to be inspected, it may be required, to be uncovered.

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:

Type of Inspection	Call for Inspection once..
Prior to pouring footings	Footings, column pads, slabs are formed, prior to pouring concrete.
Prior to backfilling foundation excavations	Drainage layer, weeping tile, and stone installed, prior to backfilling.
Building Sewer and Water installation, prior to backfill	Required drainage storm and sanitary sewer lines installed, proper slope/fall, required cleanouts installed, prior to backfilling.
Building Drains	All underground plumbing and sewage systems are installed and ready for test, and prior to backfill.
HVAC Rough in	Completion of HVAC rough in, supply, return air and plenums.
Plumbing Rough in	Completion of above ground plumbing rough in, required to air/water test system.
Framing	Completion of framing, HVAC rough in, and plumbing rough in, prior to installing insulation & vapour barrier.
Insulation, Vapour Barrier & Air Barrier	Installation of insulation, vapour barrier and air barrier system, prior to installing interior finishes including drywall.
Fire Stopping of Penetrations through Fire Separations	Completion of fire stopping, and smoke seals for penetrations through required fire separations.
Fire Separations	Installation of sound insulation, completion of one side of fire separation/shaft wall system, completion of fire separation or fire wall.
When applicable, commencement of construction or installation of masonry fireplaces & chimneys, factory built fireplaces using solid fuel and chimneys or solid fuel burning appliances (wood stoves) and chimneys	Prior to installation and after completion.
Installation of Sewage Systems	Prior to backfilling with required fill, bed pipes installed.
Sewage System Drainage Bed Pipe Layout	Prior to backfilling.
Sewage System Tank Installation	Prior to backfilling.
Life Safety Components	Completion & Verification of the fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, standpipe and emergency lighting systems.
Occupancy	Contact your building inspector to clarify which occupancy requirements apply to your project.
Final – Completion of the Building Permit**	Completion of work under the approved building permit and OBC requirements.

**Grading must be complete prior to final inspection. The process to complete the final grading inspection shall be to submit the final grading certificate from the consultant, along with the OBC Review and Administration Form(PDF, 176.88 KB). The form is submitted to provide updated mailing information for the payor of the fee in order to expedite the release of any deposit.

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.

Date modified

June 22, 2022

Hamilton Search

Building Inspections

Building Inspection Line

Schedule an Inspection

Cancel an Inspection

When to Call for an Inspection

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