Inspections

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  Digital submissions and enquiries

  Last updated: May 10, 2022

  Services Centre access

  Services Centre access is by appointment only. Walk-in service and drop-in appointments are not available. 

  Digital submissions

  To help process your permit applications more quickly, some permit types have moved to a digital approach for submission, payments, and issuance.  Learn more about the requirements

  Contact the Business Licence Office for all licence applications, enquires, and payments.

  Enquiries

  • General enquiries: Phone 604-873-7611
  • Building, development, and application enquiries:
    • Use our online form and receive a tracking number, which you can use to get real-time status updates from 3-1-1.
    • We will aim to respond to all enquiries within 10 business days.

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  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 or need to contact Fire Services for a tower crane inspection? 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.

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  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).

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  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

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  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 PDF file (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.

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  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 PDF file (223 KB). The map provides the area inspector's name, office hours, and contact information.

  Electrical inspection related documents and information

  • Electric load calculation for one-family dwellings with a laneway house or secondary suite PDF file (189 KB)
  • Electrical By-law PDF file (116 KB)
  • Electrical code change notice (effective January 2020) PDF file (101 KB)
  • Electrical Contractor's Declaration PDF file (290 KB)
  • Electrical plan review with electrical plan examiner's transmittal form (Bulletin 2001-008-BU/EL)
    • Form for 2014 VBBL PDF file (144 KB)
  • Explanatory information on electrical installations related to laneway houses
  • Heat pumps for ground-oriented dwellings PDF file (195 KB)
  • Safety Standards Appeal Board External website, opens in new tab

  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.

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  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 PDF file (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.

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  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 PDF file (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.

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  Mechanical inspection

  Beginning July 1, 2022, a mechanical permit is required before a heating or cooling system is installed in any type of building. Various inspections are required under the mechanical permit. 

  The majority of permits will be issued electronically upon completion of the application. Incomplete applications may result in delays.

  Learn more about mechanical permits

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  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 PDF file (240 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 PDF file (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.

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  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.

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  Tower crane inspection

  Fire Services provides a tower crane site survey when requested. A tower crane must be installed before making the request.

  Fire Services review the site and safety plan prior to establishing a written agreement for a tower crane technical high angle rope rescue.

  Types of tower crane inspections and notifications

  Tower crane in place

  If a tower crane is in place, Fire Services will:

  • Review the site and safety plan as part of a technical high angle rope rescue service application
  • Provide a written agreement for technical high angle rope rescue service stands for the duration the crane is erected on site up to a maximum duration of on year.  If the crane will be active on site for more than one year, a new written agreement will be required after 365 days.

  Note Notification of a requirement for a new agreement is the responsibility of the applicant.

  Delivery and set-up of tower crane notification

  You will be required to notify Fire Services of original delivery and set-up of tower crane per WorkSafe BC requirements.

  Fire Services:

  • Requires the crane be erected prior to the site visit
  • Will bring the application form during the site inspection

  Note A separate written agreement is required for each tower crane on site when multiple cranes are on site. 

  Working from height without a crane notification

  To allow people to work from height, you are required to notify Fire Services. They will not visit the site. 

  This notification counts as an official notification to Fire Services and will be forwarded to their technical rescue team.

  Note You are required to keep a written copy of the notification at your site.

  Review WorkSafeBC's regulations and guidelines External website, opens in new tab for details and requirements about working from heights.

  Fire Services contact

  Contact Fire Services by phone at 3-1-1 or 604-873-7000 (outside Vancouver).

  Who to contact if a crane is over a property

  For crane flying over/swinging out over

  • Parks, phone: 604-257-8404  
  • Private property, phone: 604-873-7594
  • Streets and lanes, phone: 604-873-7322 
     

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