Building Inspections

After receiving your building permit and beginning construction, you must schedule inspections to ensure the work aligns with your approved plans and the Ontario Building Code. As per Subsection 1.3.5.1 of the Code, builders are required to notify the Chief Building Official when the building is ready for inspections at each critical stage. It is your responsibility to contact the Grimsby Building Division to arrange these mandatory inspections. Failing to do so may result in costly delays and work stoppages. A Building Inspector can help you determine which inspections are necessary for your project. The cost of these inspections is included in your building permit fee, though additional inspections can be scheduled for an extra charge if needed.

Mandated Inspections

The list below provides a general overview of the inspections your project may require, though it’s not a comprehensive description of all building code requirements. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Why must footings be inspected?

Footings are inspected to ensure that the bearing surface face will be able to withstand the loads of the foundation and building structure. Footings must resemble the building permit documents concerning the architectural layout.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for a footing inspection.

  • Undisturbed soil
  • Minimum footing depth
  • Form layout
  • Footings
  • Waterproofing
  • Surrounding Precautions

The PDF's supplied below offer a footing inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Footing Inspections

CAD Footing Details

Why must foundations be inspected?

Foundations are inspected to ensure that the structural loads of the building will be safely transferred to the surrounding soil and resist lateral earth pressures. In addition, the control of moisture must be properly identified.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for a footing inspection.

• Foundation wall thickness
• Reduction in thickness
• Joist and beam support
• Finishing (below ground)
• Form ties and segregation
• Dampproofing material
• Finishing (above ground)
• Exterior concrete stairs
• Foundation wall drainage
• Placement of backfill
• Termite control
• Location of insulation
• Lateral support
• Anchorage of building frames

The PDF's supplied below offer a foundation inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Foundation Inspections

CAD Backfill Details

Why must framing be inspected?

Structural members are inspected to ensure that the structural loads of the building are transferred to the house foundation.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for a footing inspection.

• Columns and Beams
• Anchorage of building frames
• Floor joists
• Fire separation, collapse and reduction
• Headers and trimmer joists
• Glue-laminated beams
• Support of walls and Wall studs
• Lintels and Windows
• Spans-joists, rafters and beams
• Intermediate support for rafters and joists
• Roof sheathing and Roof spaces-ventilation
• Wood roof trusses
• Fire stopping
• Fire separation between dwelling units
• Firewalls and Egress and travel limit
• Above-grade masonry and Stairs
• Flooring tile reinforcement

The PDF's supplied below offer a framing inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Framing Inspections

Why must drains and sewers be inspected?

Building sanitary/storm drains and sewers are inspected to ensure that they will operate properly and to ensure that cross connections are not created between the storm and sanitary drains or sewers. Inspections provide Grimsby residents with a healthy and safe living environment.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for a building drain & sewer inspection.

• Materials and equipment
• Testing of drainage systems (water or air)
• Testing of water service pipe (water or air)
• Protection of piping (frost and spatial separation)
• Support of piping
• Traps
• Arrangement of drainage piping (colour coding of
storm and sanitary drain pipes)
• Cleanouts
• Slope and length drainage pipes
• Arrangement and size of venting pipes (floor
drains)

The PDF's supplied below offer a drain & sewer inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Drains & Sewers

CAD Drains & Sewer Details

Why must rough-in plumbing be inspected?

The drainage, waste, venting and water distribution systems are inspected to ensure that they operate properly and provide the occupants with a healthy living environment and safe drinking water.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for a rough-in plumbing inspection.

• Materials and equipment
• Testing of drainage and venting systems
• Testing of potable water systems
• Protection of piping
• Support of piping
• Traps
• Arrangement of drainage piping
• Cleanouts
• Slope and length drainage pipes
• Arrangement and size of venting pipes
• Protection from contamination of water piping

The PDF's supplied below offer a rough-in plumbing inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Rough In Plumbing Inspections

CAD Plumbing Details

Why must the final plumbing be inspected?

The drainage, waste system, venting system, water distribution system, fixtures and appliances are inspected to ensure that they operate properly and provide the occupants with a healthy living environment and safe drinking water.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for a final plumbing inspection.

• Materials and equipment
• Piping and Valves
• Traps
• Cleanouts
• Slope and length drainage pipes
• Vent pipes
• Fixtures and Appliances
• Basement Rough-in Plumbing

The PDF's supplied below offer a final plumbing inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Plumbing Final Inspections

CAD Plumbing Details

Why must air barriers be inspected?

The air barrier is inspected to confirm that the air barrier materials are installed to provide a system that will control the air infiltration and exfiltration through the building envelope, providing a continuous barrier to air leakage. The system must be sufficient to prevent excessive moisture condensation in the wall, ceiling and floor assemblies.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for an air barrier inspection.

• Properties of the air barrier system
• Continuity of the air barrier system

The PDF's supplied below offer an air barrier inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Air Barrier Inspections

CAD Air Barrier Details

Why must the insulation be inspected?

The insulation is inspected to confirm that in general, sufficient insulation is installed to prevent condensation within the building envelope and more particularly that the energy conservation standards are complied with. To prevent the diffusion of water vapour through insulated assemblies.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for an insulation inspection.

• Location of insulation
• Minimum thermal resistance
• Installation of insulation
• Vapour barriers

The PDF's supplied below offer a insulation inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Insulation Inspections

Why must rough-in heating be inspected?

The roughed-in heating system is inspected to confirm that the system is sized and installed to meet the heating and ventilation requirements for a healthy living environment for the occupants.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for a rough-in heating inspection.

• Supply air system
• Return air system
• Exhaust systems
• Mechanical ventilation

The PDF's supplied below offer a rough-in heating inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Rough In Heating Inspections

What must there be a final heating inspection?

The completion of the heating system is inspected to confirm that the supply and return air systems, mechanical ventilation system and furnace are complete and operational. 

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for a final heating inspection.

• Supply and return air systems
• Mechanical ventilation
• Finished basements, basement walkouts

The PDF's supplied below offer a final heating inspection checklist as well as some visual representation.

Heating Final Inspections

Why must there be an occupancy inspection?

The interior and the exterior of the dwelling is inspected to ensure that the building is safe and suitable for occupancy. The occupancy inspection is necessary for the Occupancy Permit to be issued. Article 1.3.3.4. Division C, Part 1 of the Building Code makes occupancy of a dwelling illegal without an Occupancy Permit first being issued.

What will be inspected?

A provincially qualified building inspector will review the construction of footings to ensure that they are in compliance with the Ontario Building Code and the permit drawing set. The list below entails the main items of review for an occupancy inspection.

• Stairs
• Handrails
• Guards
• Wall, ceiling and floor finishes
• Building envelope
• Firefighting access routes
• Doors
• Windows
• Fire protection-smoke alarms, carbon
monoxide detectors, fire separations
• Exits and access to exits
• Exhaust fume barriers for attached garages
• Electrical, heating and plumbing facilities
• Protection of foam plastics

The PDF's supplied below offer an occupancy inspection checklist as well as some visual representation. 

Occupancy Inspections

Schedule your inspections here

To schedule your building inspection via email, simply click here to access the scheduling form. Once you're on the page, you'll be asked to provide key details such as your permit number, preferred inspection date and time, along with your contact information. This allows us to process your request quickly and efficiently. If you encounter any issues or need assistance with the scheduling process, our team is available to support you. We will confirm your inspection appointment once all necessary information is received.

 

Click here to book inspections

 

Inspection requests can be submitted by phone Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. To reach an agent, call 905-309-2022.

If leaving a voicemail for an inspection request, please provide the permit number, contact name, email address, and phone number where you can be reached. Please note that your inspection request will not be scheduled until an agent calls you back to gather all necessary information.

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