To Call for an Inspection

It is the owner/applicant's responsibility to call for the required inspection. When you are ready for an inspection call the Building Inspection Request message line at (250) 490-4100 or click here to submit an online inspection request.

Have the following information ready:

  • Building permit number
  • Type of inspection required
  • Address at which the inspection is required
  • Contact name and phone number.

Inspections must be requested by the owner or agent:

  1. At least 48 hours (business days) prior to the inspection being required;
  2. All work being inspected must be complete and ready prior to the inspection;
  3. Work must not proceed past any of the stages listed without the approval of the building official;
  4. Permit plans must be provided on site at the time of the inspection.

Required Inspections

Non-complex buildings

  1. Footing & foundation inspection - after the forms for footings and foundations are complete, prior to the placing of concrete.
  2. Perimeter drain tile and damp-proofing, prior to backfilling.
  3. Sub-slab plumbing - inspect all underground plumbing prior to cover up. 
  4. Radon/Air Barrier - under-slab radon control, after installation of under-slab plumbing but prior to placing concrete.
  5. Rough In Plumbing - inspect roughed in plumbing & mechanical works, including piping drainage & venting system which would be concealed at a later stage of construction. Supply piping must be under pressure-test & DWV must be loaded.
  6. Framing Inspection - when the framing and sheathing are complete, including any fire-blocking, bracing, chimney and duct work, plumbing, gas venting, and wiring, but before the installation of any insulation, lath, or other interior or exterior finish..
  7. Insulation / Vapour Barrier Inspection - when the insulation and vapour barrier are complete.
  8. Final/Completion Inspection - when the building or structure is substantially complete and ready for occupancy, but before occupancy takes place of the whole or part of the building or structure.

    A final inspection shall not be performed unless all letters of assurance have been submitted (if applicable) and all aspects of the work requiring inspection have been inspected and accepted or the inspections and acceptance are not required in accordance with the Building Bylaw.

Siting Inspection - to determine compliance with required zoning / environmental setbacks.

*Note - if any aspect of the work is concealed prior to a building official accepting it in writing, the building official may order that it be uncovered at the owner's expense to permit an inspection.

Complex Buildings

The Building Bylaw states that when a registered professional provides letters of assurance, the Regional District will rely solely on field reviews undertaken by the registered professional and the letters of assurance that construction substantially conforms to the design and that the construction substantially complies with the Building Code, the bylaw and other applicable enactments respecting safety, and a building official may attend the site from time to time during the course of construction to ascertain that the field reviews are taking place and to monitor the field reviews undertaken by the registered professionals.

Further, a building official may attend periodically at the site of the construction of non-complex buildings or structures to ascertain whether the health and safety aspects of the work are being carried out in substantial conformance with those portions of the Building Code, the bylaw and any other applicable enactment concerning safety.

Building Inspectors' Schedule

Re-Inspection Fees

The fee for a re-inspection is $125.

Final Inspection and Occupancy

No person shall occupy a non-complex building until the final inspection has been performed and an occupancy permit has been issued.

A building official shall issue an occupancy permit when all letters of assurance have been provided in respect of a complex building; and all final inspections of construction of a non-complex building required have been satisfactorily completed; and the property is in compliance with all Regional District bylaws and other enactments respecting health and safety.