Building Inspections

We require several inspections at multiple stages throughout the construction process to ensure all work is carried out according to approved construction drawings and the Ontario Building Code.

When you need an inspection

A Building Official must inspect each major phase of your construction project to ensure the work conforms to your approved plans.

The permit holder is responsible for making all necessary arrangements for scheduling inspections. Ensure you build time into your project for booking and completing the required inspections.

See a list of commonly required inspections and when you need them.

Field inspections are available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to book at least 24 hours in advance.

Booking a Building Inspector

All building inspection requests require at least 24 hour's notice before your intended inspection date. Book before 3 p.m. for next-day inspections (subject to inspector availability).

Book online

You can request building inspections and track the status of your request through our online portal. Create an account to get started or log in to an existing account.

Book through the online portal

Book in person or by phone

You can also arrange building inspections by contacting our staff during operation hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Phone: 905-318-5932, ext. 8300
In-person: 2nd Floor Counter at the County Administration Building, 53 Thorburn Street South.

Commonly required inspections

Find a list of commonly required inspections and a description of when they're needed. Be sure to book inspections at least 24 hours in advance.

Make sure you're booking your inspections for the right time. Premature inspections or inspections that require re-visiting may be subject to additional fees.

If you're unsure if you're ready to book an inspection, contact our Building staff for guidance.


Inspection type	When to inspect
Water/Sanitary Sewer Service Connection	Book Inspection After: Excavation for services is complete Water and sanitary sewer lines are connected to municipal services from the property line Both services are under test Book 2nd Inspection Before: Backfilling service connections
Footing/Subgrade Inspection	Book Inspection After: Excavation has been completed All strip footings and pad footings are formed in place Rebar in place (if applicable) Book Inspection Before: Pouring the footings (for all structures with strip footings and foundation walls) Pouring the concrete slab (for all structures with a floating slab/slab on grade) Pouring the piers for decks Notes: If there are concerns with the bearing capacity of the soil you may be required to provide a copy of the soil test from an engineer before this inspection For buildings using engineered helical piles, the engineered torque report is to be submitted prior to passing the Footing Inspection
Foundation Inspection	Book Inspection After: Footings are poured Foundation walls are formed and poured All drainage and damp proofing/waterproofing have been installed Rebar in place (if applicable) Top and sides of drainage pipe to have a minimum of 6" clear stone or coarse granular material Book Inspection Before: Backfilling the foundation walls Notes: Foundation inspections are not required for slab-on-grade structures and unexcavated strip footings and foundation walls (eg. Accessory storage buildings)
Underground Plumbing Inspection	Book Inspection After: All underground drainage and vent piping is installed Plumbing systems are under test Book Inspection Before: Backfilling and pouring concrete over the underground plumbing
Above Ground Plumbing Inspection	Book Inspection After: All drainage and venting systems have been installed All systems are under an air or water test All protection plates and pipe supports are installed Book Inspection Before: Installing insulation or drywall
Potable Plumbing Inspection	Book Inspection After: Potable plumbing lines have been installed and are under test Book Inspection Before: Enclosing the floor and wall assemblies containing potable water lines
Framing Inspection	Book Inspection After: Underground, Aboveground, and Potable Plumbing inspections have been passed All framing elements (wall, floor, and roof framing) are completed Exterior wall and roof sheathing has been installed Mechanical/HVAC system has been installed Truss drawings and other required documents have been submitted Book Inspection Before: Insulation and drywall are installed Notes: All electrical work must be inspected through a permit from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and submitted to the Building Services Department prior to closing out the building permit
Insulation Inspection/ Air Barrier Inspection	Book Inspection After: Framing Inspection has passed All insulation and vapour barrier have been installed All penetrations to unconditioned spaces (attic and exterior walls) are sealed Exterior rigid insulation is installed (if applicable) Exterior air barrier is installed Book Inspection Before: Exterior cladding and interior finish is installed Notes: Where spray foam is used, the specifications of the spray foam are to be submitted prior to the Final Inspection
Fire Separations	Book Inspection After: The approved fire separation assemblies have been constructed but not enclosed All penetrations in fire separation are sealed All fire blocking is in place Book Inspection Before: Fire separation is fully drywalled and sealed Notes: Where applicable the Fire Separation Inspection may be done in two stages; once when the fire separation assembly is constructed prior to drywall being installed, and once when the drywall is installed and sealed For secondary units contained within an existing dwelling unit, the inspection of duct type smoke detectors, fire dampers, and sprinklers will be inspected at this stage of construction
Woodstoves, Fireplaces & Chimneys	Book Inspection After: Installation has been completed An inspection report completed by a WETT certified installer has been submitted
Sewage System Inspections	Subgrade Inspection: Inspection shall be booked after the base of the bed has been excavated and scarified (if required) but before any fill is placed Field/Bed Inspection: Inspection shall be booked once the system is built and all components are in place, but before it is covered by fill Tank Inspection: Inspection shall be booked after the tank and piping have been installed but before backfill Final Inspection: To be booked after the following have been completed: All previous sewage system inspections have been passed. Sewage system is backfilled and covered in grass seed or sod. Tank alarms are installed. As-built drawings are submitted (if applicable) Maintenance agreement is submitted (if applicable)
Final Plumbing Inspection	Book Inspection After: All other plumbing inspections have been passed All plumbing fixtures have been installed and are working correctly Hot water tank installed with a mixing valve and pressure relief valve Hot water working with a maximum temperature of 49°C (if residential) Water shutoffs and drain ports have been installed where required Sump pump lids are sealed Vacuum breakers have been installed where required Water meter installed and supported (if applicable) All sewage system inspections have been passed (if applicable) Book Inspection Before: Scheduling the Occupancy/Final inspections
Occupancy Inspection	Book Inspection After: All previous inspections have been passed All required life safety and occupancy requirements listed under Division C Part 1 Subsection 1.3.3. of the Ontario Building Code have been completed Final ESA inspection report has been submitted Enbridge Gas sign-offs have been completed (if applicable) Attic insulation has been completed and confirmation of insulation form has been submitted HVAC record form has been submitted
Final Inspection	Book Inspection After: All previous inspections have been passed All outstanding Building Permit conditions have been resolved All interior and exterior work is completed for buildings that do not require occupancy (eg. Accessory buildings) Stairs, guards, and handrails are completed for decks Final grade is completed

Inspections

On this page

When you need an inspection

Booking a Building Inspector

Book online

Book in person or by phone

Commonly required inspections