Residential Building & Renovation

Building Inspections

Building Inspection Requests

Call 905-546-2424 ext. 7777
Email [email protected]

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

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

Email us at [email protected]

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.

Learn More about Building Inspections

Schedule an Inspection

Required Inspection Stages

Inspections are Important

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].

To schedule a next business day inspection, your inspection request must be received before 3 pm.

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.

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 commencement of construction	Your building permit has been issued, and you are ready to commence construction of your project.
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, sewage systems, and backwater protection are installed and ready for text, and prior to backfill.
Radon Rough-in	The sub-soil pipes, and rough-in of depressurization systems have been installed, and prior to placement of concrete floor.
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.
Grading Inspection	The final grading has been completed, including all hardscaping, seed/sod, swales or other landscaping features.
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.

*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(PDF, 768.05 KB) must be submitted at time of final grading inspection.

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

April 17, 2025