Book a Building Inspection

Permit holders are responsible for calling to book inspections and ensuring they are carried out. Requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the desired inspection date. 

Additional notice may be required for inspections in the Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano, Gossip, James, Mayne, Moresby, Piers, Saturna and Sidney). 

Various inspections (when applicable) are required at different points during construction.

Excavation/Blasting/Siting

After rock blasting, excavation and foundation layout (siting) is complete, request an inspection. 

Footings Forms

 After the foundation forms and reinforcing steel are placed but before concrete is placed, request an inspection. Provide the geotechnical and structural engineer’s field report at least one day prior to CRD inspection.

Wall Forms

 After the basement or crawlspace foundation, wall forms and reinforcing steel are placed but before concrete is placed, request an inspection. Provide structural engineer’s field report at least one day prior to CRD inspection. Note: BC Land Surveyors Survey certificate of the foundation layout to be submitted before first framing inspection to verify correct placement of the building foundation.

Foundation Drains Damp Proof

After foundation damp proofing and the perimeter drains are installed and before any backfilling, request an inspection.

Rough-In-Plumbing Underslab

After under slab drain-waste-vent and radon piping is installed and before covered with drain rock, request an inspection. Drain-waste-vent piping to be under test pressure at time of inspection. Slab subbase material to be reviewed during this inspection.

Interior Slab on Ground

After insulation and vapour barrier is installed and before slab concrete is placed, request an inspection.

Septic and Sewer

While piping and connections are exposed, request an inspection. Provide Letter of Certification from a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner. 

Rough-In Plumbing

After Rough-In-Plumbing (water and drain-waste-vent piping) is installed and exposed, request an inspection. Piping to be under test pressure at time of inspection. Exterior services pipe from supply connection and to building to be reviewed during this inspection. Partial framing inspection can be reviewed during this inspection. 

Framing 

1. Documents to be submitted two days prior to first framing inspection:
   • Sealed BC Land Surveyors Survey certificate of foundation placement
   • Ventilation checklist or sealed HVAC drawings
   • Structural engineer’s field inspection report
2. Prior to a framing inspection: 
   • All rough-in work by electricians, plumbers and HVAC contractors to be completed
   • Floor, roof and wall sheathing (including all braced wall panels) nailing to be complete
   • Fire blocks, fire stops and fire separations to be installed
3. Framing to be exposed without insulation and building paper
4. After framing is completed, request an inspection  

Rainscreen

After all exterior building paper, flashing, strapping and bug screens are installed (and metal lath if applicable) and before exterior cladding is installed, request an inspection. Insulation and Vapour Barrier Inspection can be reviewed during this inspection.

Insulation and Vapour Barrier

After the insulation, vapour barrier and all exterior wall and ceiling penetrations (ducts and electrical) are installed and before any drywall is installed, request an inspection. Rainscreen inspection can be reviewed during this inspection.

Stucco

After first scratch coat installed, request an inspection. After second brown coat is installed, request a second inspection. Final stucco coat to be inspected at a later inspection. 

Chimney

To be inspected after flue liner is installed (and exposed) and before SFBA inspection. In most cases, this inspection can be done with another inspection.  

Solid Fuel Burning Appliance (SFBA)

To be inspected after SFBA (Fireplace, Woodstove) installation is completed. In most cases, this inspection can be done with another inspection.  

1. Submit CSA Certification document of appliance before appliance is on site. 
2. Submit WETT Certification 2 days prior to CRD inspection.

Final

After all construction (and plumbing if applicable) have been completed (including any prior deficiency items) and requested documents have been submitted, request an inspection. 

1. Pre-Final Inspection Document Submission: Applicable documents to be submitted five days prior to final inspection, which may include:
   • Blower Test Report and Final Energy Advisor Audit Report
   • VIHA approval
   • Laboratory Testing Results of Potable Water Quality 
   • Technical Safety BC approval of electrical work 
   • Technical Safety BC Gas Permit Number 
   • All Design Professionals Schedule C-A and C-B
   • Confirmation of Water Connection (Port Renfrew only) 
   • Other documents specifically requested by Building Inspector 
2. Final Inspection requirements, refer to the Final Inspection Checklist [PDF/148KB].
3. Certificate of Occupancy will be issued after:
   •  Any deficiencies have been resolved
   • All applicable documents are submitted and accepted
   • All stairs, decks, guards, handrails and cladding are installed
   • All exterior windows (with NAFS stickers) and doors are installed
   • Address numbers are installed at a visible location from the roadway
   • All interior health and safety items are installed and operational which include:
     • Required smoke and CO alarms 
     • Handrails 
     • HVAC and plumbing system
     • Sprinklers (if required)
4. Conditional Certificate of Occupancy is a temporary certificate to allow earlier occupancy
          before some deficiencies are completed such as:
   • exterior cladding; and
   • exterior decks, guards and stairs (provided there is restricted access to these decks and buildings have other adequate exiting)
     
     A Conditional Certificate of Occupancy will have a set expiry date. All health and
     safety requirements will need to be completed before a Conditional Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.  After these deficiencies are completed, a Certificate of Occupancy will then be issued. 
5. Certificate of Completion (not a Certificate of Occupancy) will be issued for accessory buildings.