Building Inspections Profile
The Building Inspections service is responsible for all new construction and responds to complaints regarding illegal construction. This service ensures that:
- Newly constructed, enlarged, renovated and re-purposed buildings are Ontario Building Code compliant and are safe for the public and occupants.
- Swimming pool enclosures are constructed in compliance with the relevant by-law to restrict entry to privately owned pools and to ensure the safety of the public.
- Buildings formerly used as marijuana grow-ops are rehabilitated to be safe for re-occupancy.
- Buildings are not excessively fortified, as per the relevant by-law.
- All new construction complies with the zoning by-law.
- The Loans Program is delivered to Hamiltonians so that citizens who need assistance (loans/grant moneys) to upgrade their homes are provided with the aid they require.
- Finished grades comply with submitted grading plans for infill lot developments.
- The work associated with developments regulated by development agreements is congruent with the approvals granted.
- Houses are demolished within the timelines outlined in demolition agreements.
- Houses are protected from water/sewer backup.
- Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional buildings are protected from cross-connection in keeping with relevant by-laws.
- Complaints and inquiries regarding unsafe buildings are dealt with in timely fashion.
- Staff proactively attends properties to ensure compliance with the Ontario Building Code.
Service Details
Related Subservices
- Building Code Inspections and Enforcement
- Enforcement of various relevant City of Hamilton by-laws (pool enclosures, fortification, zoning, grow-op, trade license, etc.)
Type of Service
- Public facing
Rationale
- Essential/Mandatory, Legislated requirement (Ontario Building Code Enforcement)
- Core Municipal Service (Municipal By-law Enforcement)
Primary Funding Sources
- Net Levy
- User Fees
Service Level
- Exceeds Standard
- Inspections are provided on the same day, better than legislated time-lines prescribed in the Ontario Building Code.
- Emergency call-out inspectors are available after hours for any possible unsafe conditions reported by the general public or emergency personnel.
Service Level Source
- Legislated
- Council By-law
- Council approved policy or service standard
Performance Measures
2020
How much did you do? (volume)
Inspections completed annually (rounded)
- Ontario Building Code: 72,496
- Pool enclosures: 552
- Fortification by-law: 146
- Loans program: 750
- Grow-op: 0
- Trade Licence: 988
- Infill lot grading: 75
- Imposed building code fines : $46,800
- Collected building code fines : $141,346
- Enforcement initiated: 1,053
- Action requests initiated: 1,954
2019
Inspections completed annually (rounded)
- Ontario Building Code: 74,320
- Pool enclosures: 352
- Fortification by-law: 246
- Loans program: 936
- Grow-op: 0
- Trade Licence: 195
- Infill lot grading: 100
- Imposed building code fines : $ 360,276
- Collected building code fines : $ 211,625
- Enforcement initiated: 1,051
- Action requests initiated: 1,933
2018
Inspections completed annually (rounded)
- Ontario Building Code: 71,539
- Pool enclosures : 338
- Fortification by-law : 228
- Loans program : 936
- Grow-op : 0
- Trade Licence: 195
- Infill lot grading : 100
- Imposed building code fines : $ 499,900
- collected building code fines : $ 136,878
- Enforcement initiated : 961
- Action requests initiated : 1,894
2017
Inspections completed annually (rounded)
- Ontario Building Code: 74,005
- Pool enclosures: 355
- Fortification by-law: 258
- Loans program: 500
- Grow-op: 0
- Trade Licence: 124
- Infill lot grading: 100
- Imposed / collected building code fines: $344,875.00 / $201,106.25
- Enforcement initiated: 919
- Action requests initiated: 1,952
2016
Inspections completed annually (rounded)
- Ontario Building Code: 89,000
- Pool enclosures: 1,500
- Fortification by-law: 100
- Loans program: 500
- Grow-op: 12
- Trade Licence: 4,000
- Infill lot grading: 100
- Date modified: