It is the responsibility of the property owner(s) to give at least two working days (48 hours) notice to the Building Inspector when a stage of construction is reached which requires inspection. Owner(s) may delegate this task to their contractor, but it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure inspections have been requested and approved.
Inspections are required at the following stages of construction:
Footings |
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After the forms for concrete footings are complete, but before pouring of concrete has begun; or for PWF foundations, after installation and compaction of the granular drainage layer, but before footings are installed |
Foundation |
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After forms for foundation walls are complete and reinforcing installed, but before any concrete is poured. (Note that certain projects will require submission of a building location survey at this stage prior to work proceeding) |
Under Slab Plumbing / Pre-Backfill |
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After removal of form work from a concrete foundation and installation of the perimeter drainage system and application of damp-proofing; or after framing of a PWF foundation wall and floor assembly and application of damp-proofing, but prior to back filling against any foundation |
Rough-In Radon |
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After installation of the sub-floor depressurization rough-in for radon extraction, but prior to placing concrete |
Framing |
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After framing and sheathing of the building are complete, including the installation of the roof membrane, all exterior doors and windows, fire-stopping, bracing, chimney, duct work, plumbing, gas venting and wiring, but before any insulation, drywall or other interior or exterior finish is applied which might conceal such work |
Rough-In Plumbing |
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After completion of the building drain, sanitary and storm sewers, rough-in plumbing system, including water supply and drain, waste and vent piping, but before any such plumbing is covered, and if any part of a plumbing system is covered before it is inspected and approved it shall be uncovered if the Building Inspector so directs, and when considered necessary, underground building drains, branches, storm drains and sewers shall be retested after the completion of all back filling and grading by heavy equipment |
Solid-Fuel Appliance |
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During the construction of any masonry fireplace at the smoke chamber stage; for a free-standing masonry chimney, at the thimble stage; before any factory-built or site-constructed fireplace or chimney is enclosed by combustible materials; and before the chimney cap is placed on a masonry chimney |
Insulation / Vapour Barrier |
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After insulation and vapour barrier are complete, but before any drywall or other interior finish is applied which would conceal such work |
Final |
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After the building is complete (note that for buildings other than single family residential and residential ancillary buildings, use or occupancy of a building shall not take place prior to approval of a final inspection after construction is complete, unless approved by the building inspector in writing and the building complies with the health and safety requirements of the Building Regulations, the bylaws or any other statute applicable for the occupancy of the building) |
Additional |
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Any other inspections that may be required by the Building Inspector due to the size or complexity of the work. |
The inspection process varies according to the different types of construction being undertaken (ie: dwellings vs. garages), (standard vs. complex buildings). To avoid disappointment or delays we recommend you contact the CRD Building Department with any questions about the inspection process before starting your construction or renovation project.
Please NOTE that our files will remain open until such time as a “final” inspection is approved.
Failure to obtain an approved final inspection may result in a notice filed on the land title certificate or other action.