Inspections

What you need to know

COVID-19 update

The Development and Building Services Centre is currently closed except for those with an appointment or providing payment. Many services are available online, by phone, or by appointment. Our staff continue to process and review applications to help ensure businesses can continue to operate. Inspections continue daily with enhanced safety precautions.

Construction and COVID-19 safety from WorkSafe BC

Inspections ensure that construction and trades work:

Matches the work described under the permit
Complies with the relevant bylaws
Meets safety, accessibility, and green building goals

Because of the complexity of modern buildings and technologies, several inspections at different stages of construction are often required.

Building a new house or doing a renovation? Find out when to request an inspection (246 KB)

Have you been told or recommended that you need a special inspection? Review the steps to getting a special inspection

Looking for your construction or sidewalk damage deposit? Search unclaimed damage deposits

Book an inspection
The fastest and easiest way to book an inspection is online.

You can book an inspection online if you:
- Are a trades contractor or the permit applicant, AND
- Have an existing online account
  Create your online account
Book an inspection

Unable to book your inspection online? Call 3-1-1 (outside Vancouver 604-873-7000) to book your inspection.

For more information and resources during the inspection process, view type of inspections.

Booking timeline

If an inspection request is received before 2pm on a business day (Monday to Friday, excluding holidays), we will aim to book the inspection for the following business day. Otherwise, the inspection will be booked two business days later.
Cancel an inspection

We understand that plans change. If you cancel by 2pm on a business day (Monday to Friday, excluding holidays) before your scheduled inspection, there will be no charge.

You can cancel an inspection online if you have an existing online account and are the permit applicant or contractor.

Cancel an inspection

You can also cancel an inspection by calling 3-1-1 (outside Vancouver 604-873-7000).
Fees
Inspection fees are included in the overall permit fees. An additional fee will apply if:
- The site or building is inaccessible to the inspector
- The inspector finds incomplete work that had been identified on a previous inspection
- A further inspection(s) is required to address non-compliances
Requesting a re-inspection? You must pay any additional fees owing before requesting any further inspections on your project. These fees can be paid through your online permit account or in person at the Development and Building Services Centre.

Types of inspections

Building inspection
Building inspectors:
- Ensure that the work described under a building permit or sign permit matches the work that is done
- Comply with relevant bylaws
- Verify site and/or building conditions before a permit is issued
- Provide advice to permit holders, contractors, and owners
- Inspect the site following a complaint from the public
Need advice? Find an inspector

Find and contact your site's inspector using our map of inspectors (220 KB). The map provides the area inspector's name, office hours, and contact information.

Get a better understanding of building and electrical bylaws

Read our bulletins and advisories that interpret building and electrical bylaws and explain building technical and administrative regulations and processes.
Electrical inspection
Electrical inspectors:
- Ensure that the work described under an electrical permit, which includes approvals for construction, special events, filming, and ongoing electrical operations of buildings, matches the work that is done
- Inspect the site following a complaint from the public
Need advice? Find an inspector

Find and contact your site's inspector using our map of inspectors (336 KB). The map provides the area inspector's name, office hours, and contact information.

Electrical inspection related documents and information
- Acceptable central monitoring stations (664 KB)
- Electric load calculation for one-family dwellings with a laneway house or secondary suite (189 KB)
- Electrical By-law (116 KB)
- Electrical code change notice (effective January 2020) (101 KB)
- Electrical Contractor's Declaration (290 KB)
- Electrical plan review with electrical plan examiner's transmittal form (Bulletin 2001-008-BU/EL)
  - Form for 2014 VBBL (144 KB)
- Explanatory information on electrical installations related to laneway houses
- Residential booster pumps - attachment A (163 KB)
- Safety Standards Appeal Board
Get a better understanding of building and electrical bylaws

Read our bulletins and advisories that interpret building and electrical bylaws and explain building technical and administrative regulations and processes.
Fire sprinkler inspection
A fire sprinkler permit is inspected by a plumbing inspector. They ensure that:
- The work described under a fire sprinkler permit matches the work that is done
- Renovations to a building with fire sprinklers do not compromise the design of the existing sprinkler system (when no work to the existing sprinkler system is proposed)
Need advice? Find an inspector

You can find and contact your site's inspector by checking this map of inspectors (186 KB). The map provides the area inspector's name, office hours, and contact information.

Get a better understanding of building and electrical bylaws

Read our bulletins and advisories that interpret building and electrical bylaws and explain building technical and administrative regulations and processes.
Gas inspection
A gas permit is inspected by a plumbing and gas inspector; they:
- Ensure that the work described under a gas permit matches the work that is done
- Inspect the site following a complaint from the public
Need advice? Find an inspector

You can find and contact your site's inspector by checking this map of inspectors (186 KB). The map provides the area inspector's name, office hours, and contact information.

Get a better understanding of building and electrical bylaws

Read our bulletins and advisories that interpret building and electrical bylaws and explain building technical and administrative regulations and processes.
Plumbing inspection
Plumbing inspectors:
- Ensure that the work described under a plumbing permit matches the work that is done
- Ensure that there is a successful connection to City plumbing systems
- Inspect the site following a complaint from the public
Need advice? Find an inspector

You can find and contact your site's inspector by checking this map of inspectors (153 KB). The map provides the area inspector's name, office hours, and contact information.

Does your plumbing permit include the installation or replacement of backflow prevention assemblies? Learn about submitting backflow assembly test reports

Sewer connection placard to reduce delays and expedite inspections

To reduce delays in sewer connections and to expedite inspections, we have implemented a connection placard program.

Effective March 1, 2018, all sewer and storm inspections will require a connection placard to be clearly visible and attached to the stakes that identify the capped end of each connection.

The connection placard must be completed by the installing contractor and all details must match those as installed.

The district plumbing inspector will compare the data on the connection placard against the sewer design data for conformity.

Placards that do not match the most current version of the sewer connection permit will be failed. The contractor can call 3-1-1 to speak with Sewer Design for resolution.

Download a connection placard (128 KB)

Get a better understanding of building and electrical bylaws

Read our bulletins and advisories that interpret building and electrical bylaws and explain building technical and administrative regulations and processes.
Sidewalk inspection

When do you need a sidewalk inspection?

Any construction of sidewalks, curbs, crossings, gutters, and asphalt aprons on City property requires a sidewalk inspection.

The inspection must be completed before any concrete or asphalt is poured, to check the forms and base.

Get a better understanding of building and electrical bylaws

Read our bulletins and advisories that interpret building and electrical bylaws and explain building technical and administrative regulations and processes.