Trust and Confidence Report

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

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

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

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

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