Inspections
It is the applicant or property owner’s responsibility to ensure that you or your contractor contact the Building Department to book an inspection. Failure to have inspections performed may result in having to uncover and expose work for the inspection.
 |
226-NORFOLK or 519-426-5870 ext. 4677 |
 |
[email protected] |
 |
Norfolk Permits and Inspections Portal |
To schedule an inspection the following information is required to be provided:
- Building Permit Number
- Contact Name
- Telephone Number
- Address of the Project
- Type of Inspection
- Date of Inspection
A building inspector will contact you on the day of your requested inspection to confirm the inspection and advise of their approximate time of arrival.
Please note: All approved building permit documents are required to be onsite for the inspector’s review, a re-inspection and additional fee may be required should documents not be made available.
To cancel an inspection, please call 226-NORFOLK or 519-426-5870 x 4677 and leave a message or email [email protected], or log into the portal and follow the links to the instruction on the site.
The following is a list of when to call for an inspection. Each project is different and the inspector may need to attend the site at different times, based on the type of construction, and complexity of the project. It is best to check with the building inspector during your first inspection to see when inspections are required.
- Footing / Forms — Must be inspected after all footing formwork is in place, but prior to pouring of concrete.
- Foundation (prior to backfill) — Must be inspected after it has been constructed, anchor bolts in place, damp proofing or waterproofing has been applied, drainage layer has been installed and drainage tile and granular covers are in place.
- Framing / Mechanical Rough-in — The building superstructure must be inspected after framing members and roof, floor, and wall sheathing are in place, and all mechanical ventilation and plumbing is roughed in, but prior to application of any interior finishes. If truss drawings were not submitted at the time of application, they are a requirement before this inspection can be completed.
- Air Barrier — Substantial completion of exterior air barrier system prior to installing exterior finish
- Insulation & Vapour Barrier — Must be inspected after all required insulation and vapour barriers are in place, but prior to the application of any interior finish
- Fire Separation and Closures — In the case of plaster, the inspection must be completed after all lath and reinforcement for corners and openings are in place, but prior to application of the first coat of plaster. In the case of drywall, the inspection must be completed after all drywall is in place, but prior to the application of any drywall compound to the joints or nail screw holes. Fire stopping shall be installed in accordance with the shop drawing as provided. Fire protection systems include standpipe, sprinkler, fire alarm, and emergency lighting systems
- Occupancy Permit— If the building is to be occupied prior to the final inspection being completed, and an Occupancy Permit must be obtained. In order to obtain an Occupancy Permit, the provisions of articles OBC Div C 1.3.3.1, 1.3.3.2 or 1.3.3.4, or 1.3.3.5 as amended, must be complied with and the final lot grading certificate must be submitted. Failure to obtain an Occupancy Permit under these circumstances may result in legal action being taken.
- Final — This inspection is completed after all requirements of the Ontario Building Code have been fulfilled. For final inspection, provide hydro and plumbing final inspections, a survey showing the location of the building on the lot as built, if required. Also, provide the date of completion of the building and the final lot grading certificate. Final inspection cannot be carried out until the building is complete and ready for occupancy.
- Footing / Forms — Inspected after all footings have been excavated, all footing formwork is in place, but prior to pouring of concrete
- Framing — Inspected after framing members are in place. This includes: posts, beams, floor joists, railing/guard posts, and stair stringers, but prior to installation of guards, or deck boards. If trusses are part of the project, a professional engineered stamped copy of the drawings is required at this time
- Final — Inspected after all construction is completed. If an engineered railing system is part of the project, a professional engineered stamped copy of the drawing is required at this time.
- Plumbing (underground)—This inspection must be completed prior to the application of any slabs (all piping exposed for inspection)
- Plumbing (rough-in above ground)— This inspection must be completed prior to the application of any interior finishes (all piping exposed for inspection)
- All drainage and vent piping are to be completed and air or water tested to determine whether or not a leak exists in the piping, fittings, or joints of the plumbing system.
- A: testing of drainage & venting systems— The piping test shall be sealed up with test plugs and filled with water to ten feet (3.0 m) above the highest joint or have the water overflow onto the roof from the highest plumbing stack. This test shall be carried out for at least fifteen minutes and examined for any evidence of leakage. The water test must remain in the system until the plumbing inspector has finished his inspection of the roughed-in system and the test. Underground plumbing requires a ball test.
- B: testing of potable or drinking water systems — Potable water systems shall be tested with a minimum air pressure of 100 psi and left on the system for a minimum of two hours before the plumbing inspector arrives for the inspection.
- Plumbing (final) — Final plumbing is required.
- Mantle Inspection— This inspection is be completed once the mantle area has been excavated, but prior to installing mantle sand.
- Only to be complete where a mantle is required to be installed as part of the sewage system.
- Backfill Inspection— A sewage system is be inspected after all installation work is in place, but prior to backfill.
- Check clearances to wells, property lines, bodies of water, and structures.
- Check plumbing connection from building to septic tank
- Check septic tank size, baffle installation, and effluent filter.
- Check of distribution piping header. The installer is to provide laser level and measuring stick at the time of inspection.
- Check of design and construction requirements of the sewage system.
- Detection by magnetic means to be installed
- Sand and stone sheets to be provided.
- As constructed drawings to be provided
- Final Inspection— A sewage system is be inspected after all work is completed and after backfill.
- Final site grading has been completed and seed or sod has been placed.
- All paperwork has been received.
- Copies of signed maintenance agreements have been received if treatment units are part of the sewage system.
