After getting a building permit in St. Catharines, you must book inspections during different phases of your construction project. The permit will list the inspections that are required. If we see deviations from what is set out in your permit and our by-laws during an inspection, our staff will take actions to gain compliance to the required by-laws.
Booking an inspection
Please contact the Planning and Building Services Department at 905.688.5601 ext. 1667, via email at bldginspections@stcatharines.ca, or for online permits, use our online portal using the instructions below.
Please ensure that your request is submitted at least 48 hours in advance.
| Instructions for Booking Inspections Using Our Online Portal |
| Click here to book an inspection. To proceed, use the menu located on the left-hand side to sign-in. If you do not have an account, you must complete the registration process before proceeding. Once you have signed in, navigate to "Request Inspection", provide the project number, and select the inspection type you wish to schedule. Once the request is received, we will contact you to confirm. |
We do the following inspections:
- Footings, piers, and slabs on grade before pouring concrete
- Foundation prior to backfilling
- Framing and structural
- Plumbing
- Heating and ventilation
- Insulation and vapour barrier
- Fire and life safety
- Exits
- Occupancy
- Final
For private sewage systems, approvals, and inspections, please visit the Niagara Region Public Works department.
Property inspections
We inspect properties to enforce by-laws related to the Ontario Building Code. Property standards inspections include:
- Boarding up of vacant buildings
- Removal of waste and hazardous conditions
- Requirements for structural, heating, electrical, plumbing, cleanliness and storage
- Yard rubbish, garbage, litter and debris
- Excessive growth of grass, weeds and bushes
- Damaged or decaying trees and bushes
- Brush that pose safety hazards to vehicles, trailers, machinery and appliances
Please contact us if a property or construction project does not meet our by-law requirements.