About Building Inspections

The Ontario Building Code, Subsection 1.3.5.1, requires builders to give notice to the Chief Building Official when your building is ready for mandatory inspections at each critical stage of construction.

• It is your responsibility to contact the Toronto Building to conduct the required inspections once your construction project starts
• Neglecting these inspections may cause costly delays and time consuming work stoppages
• A Building Inspector can assist you in confirming which inspections are required for your particular project
• Cost for these inspections is included in your building permit fee.
• Additional inspections can be arranged through your local inspection office (an additional fee may apply)

The name, telephone number, and office location of the Inspector are noted in your permit documents.

Depending on the nature of the project, inspectors may have to visit your building site several times to conduct the following inspections.

The pages linked below list the various types of mandatory inspections that may be required for each project.

• When to call for inspections for small buildings
  (Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code including houses and small commercial structures)
• When to call for inspections for large buildings
  (Part 3 of the Ontario Building Code)

Inspections are conducted Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays). Please visit the Request an Inspection portal to request an inspection at a specific date starting from the next business day, and up to four weeks in advance. A Toronto Building Inspector will contact you on the date you identify for the inspection, to schedule the visit for the same day, or the following day.

When conducting a mandatory inspection:

• Building Inspectors must be able to see that part of work under inspection.
• Any building elements covered before the related mandatory inspection has been made will have to be uncovered for inspection and passed before the completion of your project.
• For inspections to be carried out, a full scale, coloured print of the permit drawings must be available on site upon the inspector’s request.
• All information, records, drawings or specifications issued as part of the permit must be available on site for each inspection.

Closing Permits

Property owners are required to schedule a final inspection upon completion of their project to close the permit. Open permits may impede future real estate transactions and/or complicate future applications for building permits.

Partial Occupancy of an Unfinished Building

Before any part of an unfinished building can be occupied, the structure must meet Ontario Building Code (Division C, Part 1, Subsection 1.3.3.) standards. You must submit an Authority to Occupy application before occupying party of an unfinished building.