Houses, Additions and Accessory Structures

Under the Ontario Building Code, the person who is issued a permit is required to provide notification to the Building Standards department when various stages of construction are ready to be inspected.

Below is information on the inspections that may be required for a project. Questions about the stages of construction required for a project can be directed to the Building Standards department and request to speak to a building inspector.

Inspection categories

Preliminary meetings: These may be requested by the permit holder or, in some cases, may be required by the building inspector. Preliminary meetings provide an opportunity to discuss the project before the start of construction. These meetings can be scheduled with the Building Standards department.

 

Site services (outside drains and water services): Inspection is required before the backfilling of a water service, sanitary and storm sewers. The required piping colour codes are: white for storm sewer and green for sanitary sewer.

 

Excavation/footing: An inspection is required before pouring concrete. At this point, excavation is complete, footing forms are installed, and the ground within the forms is not frozen and free from standing water, mud and loose materials.

 

Backfill/foundation: An inspection is required before backfilling the foundation. All foundation work is in place (damp proofing applied, drainage layer installed and weeping tile covered with clear stone). Perimeter insulation is in place for slab-on-grade construction.

 

Plumbing (inside drains): An inspection is required before covering the plumbing located below the floor slab.

 

Plumbing rough-in (all interior above-ground plumbing): An inspection is required before covering drains, vents and the water distribution system. The inspection will require testing of the systems to be conducted in the presence of the inspector (location of drain water heat recovery unit must be identified).

 

Structural framing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) rough-in: An inspection is required before the installation of insulation, vapour barriers and interior air barriers. At this point, structural framing is complete and the structure is weather-tight. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC ductwork installation are complete, and have been passed. Fire blocking at floor levels is also complete and ready for inspection.

 

Insulation: An inspection is required before the installation of interior finishes, but after framing is passed. At this point, insulation, air and vapour barrier systems are complete. Fire stopping is in place, where required.

 

Final interior (occupancy): All requirements under the Ontario Building Code for occupancy must be completed. Gas proofing of an attached garage must be fully complete. Occupancy will not be granted if a water meter is not installed.

 

Final inspection/exterior: All construction is complete, including exterior work and grading.

 

Read more about how to schedule an inspection for a construction project.

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