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Inspections are an essential part of the permit process. City inspections do a point-in-time audit to ensure the work meets the minimum safety standards.
As of October 4, 2024, any open Underground Electrical Inspections will be closed in SelfServe and transferred to EPCOR for their records. The builder or underground contractor is responsible for calling EPCOR (ServiceInspectionRequest@epcor.com or 780-412-3772) for the underground inspection using the building permit number and address.
Commercial inspections include inspections for new buildings and changes to existing :
Before you can request inspections you need to have applied for your building and trades permits. Then the City needs to process your application and send you the issued permit by email. Inspections are only carried out on sites that have valid permits issued by the City.
After your project has progressed to the right stage, you must request that a Safety Codes Inspector (Inspector) visit your site. The stages to call for inspections are explained in the Inspection Types section below. You can request the date of the inspection but not a specific time. Safety Codes Officers will not call ahead or provide advance notice. Ensure that the site is accessible immediately upon the arrival of the inspector.
The permit fees you paid cover a limited number of inspections. A permit is not considered complete until your project passes all the required inspections.
City inspections do a point-in-time audit (meaning the point where an inspector actually visits your site) to ensure the work meets the minimum safety standards.
Important tips to help you prepare for an inspection:
Display the correct address. Address signs must conform to the Commercial Construction Address Sign Standards by:
Safety Codes Officers (Inspectors) will not call ahead or provide advance notice of an inspection.
Sites must be immediately accessible to the inspector on the requested date.
Inspectors must wear safety footwear while performing their duties in your home.
All construction sites must be safe to access under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. If Inspectors encounter unsafe access conditions, they will fail the inspection and additional fees will apply.
To prepare for the inspection, remember to ensure:
Provide the reviewed permit drawings, documents and details on site. They must be available for review by the Safety Codes Officer during all inspection stages.
The work being built needs to match the reviewed permit documents.
Check the Conditions of Issuance of the permit. Ensure you have fulfilled the conditions for the current stage.
We may require some of the following forms before a final inspection and granting of occupancy. Review the permit conditions and the project in SelfServe to understand what needs to be submitted.
Document submissions with errors will cause delays in receiving occupancy permission.
C-schedule forms must:
Other forms must be:
Permits issued under the current code edition, the National Building Code - 2019 Alberta Edition use the forms under that heading.
The National Building Code - 2023 Alberta Edition and the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2020 will come into force on May 1, 2024. Use the forms under that heading for permits issued under that code.
For permits issued under the previous code edition, the Alberta Building Code 2014, use the forms under that heading.
Visit Energy Code Requirements for energy code information and checklists.
The code coming into force on May 1, 2024, is referred to as NBC 2023-AE.
The current code edition is referred to as NBC 2019-AE.
The previous code edition is referred to as ABC2014.
All required inspections for a project are listed in SelfServe after issuing a permit. You can request, cancel, or reschedule them there.
You can also request inspections by calling 311 (outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311).
Inspections occur Monday to Friday. From October to March, they're between 8am and 4:15pm. During the summer months, from April to September, they're from 7am to 4:30pm.
Include a lockbox number or key location in the instructions to access the building in your request where applicable.
The capacity of a given day determines the availability of inspections. Once capacity is reached, that day will no longer be available and a future date will need to be selected.
We complete inspections on the day you request.
Review the Safety Codes Inspection Booking Guide for more details.
The City conducts in-person inspections and Remote Video Inspections. At the inspector's discretion, we also offer Verification of Compliance (VOC) for certain projects.
This inspection method is available for all project types. If no other methods are available in self-service or offered over the phone, the inspection will be in-person.
Remote Video Inspection (RVI) enables virtual inspection through connected smart devices. The permit holder operates one at the building location; the inspector operates the other at a different location. The City uses Google Meet to conduct RVIs.
We may offer RVI as an option for re-inspecting select building and trade permits. It is only offered if the earlier inspector found the project eligible.
Verification of Compliance (VOC) is a declaration by you that you corrected all deficiencies found in an earlier inspection. We may offer VOC as an option for re-inspection for select building and trade permits. It is only offered if the earlier inspector found the project eligible. Like all inspections, this method is subject to audit.
Cancel and reschedule inspections by visiting the project in SelfServe. If necessary you can also call 311 (if outside Edmonton, by calling 780-442-5311).
You need to make a cancellation or rescheduling request by noon the business day before the day of the scheduled inspection. Additional fees apply to cancellation requests received later than that.
Many inspections fail due to preventable causes. Use the checklists below to ensure your inspections have the best chance of success. They explain the stages at which to request inspections. They also contain the most common items audited during these inspections.
However, the lists are not exhaustive. The work must meet all the applicable codes and standards.
If some inspections are not visible to you in the project in SelfServe it is likely because a permit has not been applied for or is not yet issued. Review the permit status and outstanding items or contact us.
Projects with a construction value under $50,000 typically require one Final Inspection in the building discipline. This is in addition to all applicable electrical, plumbing, gas or HVAC inspections.
Projects with a construction value between $50,000 - $200,000 typically require 2 inspections in the building discipline:
This is in addition to all applicable electrical, plumbing, gas or HVAC inspections.
Projects with a construction value exceeding $200,000 require 3 - 5 inspections in the building discipline, based on project complexity.
This is in addition to all applicable electrical, plumbing, gas or HVAC inspections.
For Side-by-side row houses with 5 or more units:
Additional inspections can be requested by the permit holder for additional fees.
Emergency inspections are inspections conducted outside of normal business hours.
To request an emergency inspection contact us by phone or email.
For Side-by-side row houses with 5 or more units only:
After an inspection, you will receive an email with the results of your inspection. If your project has deficiencies, the email will tell you what they are and the next steps you must take.
The email with the results of your inspection will also state if the re-inspection is eligible for
Verification of Compliance (VOC)
. The inspectors determine this during the inspection.
Inspections have one of the following outcomes:
There are no deficiencies observed. Proceed to the next phase.
We found deficiencies but they do not need a re-inspection. The permit holder or owner must correct these deficiencies. Proceed to the next phase but correct deficiencies before the next inspection.
Work may continue. Request the inspection again as instructed by the inspector or when the phase is completed.
We found deficiencies and you must correct these before proceeding to the next phase. Request a re-inspection once you corrected all deficiencies. You may request a re-inspection using the same inspection method or, if offered, by Verification of Compliance (VOC). Learn about how to prepare for your inspection above.
We found the project to not be ready for the inspection or the work has progressed beyond the appropriate inspection stage. Additional fees apply. After paying the fees and following the inspector’s instructions, request the inspection again. Learn about how to prepare for your inspection above.
We found there to be no safe access to the site or that no address was posted. Additional fees apply. After paying the fees, request the inspection again and learn about how to prepare for your inspection above.
We found that the work does not match the reviewed energy code details. This may impact the energy performance of the building. Follow the inspector’s instructions or contact the plans examiner.
An order has been issued and work must stop until the order is vacated.
We have received your Verification of Compliance (VOC) submission. Please allow for up to 5 business days to review the VOC.
We will not do a site inspection. We found the requested inspection is not required. Proceed to the next phase. Learn about Safety Codes Inspection Efficiencies (SCIE) above.
There are no deficiencies observed. We will issue a permit services report. Where applicable, an occupancy permit will be issued and the permit completed.
The permit fee includes 2 attempts to pass each type of required inspection.
We charge an additional inspection fee for third and later attempts.
You must repeat failed inspections until we find the work to be acceptable.
| Fee | Safety Codes Fee | Total |
| $275 | $11 | $286 |
Inspection may fail for administrative reasons or for deficiencies found. Review Preparing for Your Inspections.
We will email a Permit Services Report (PSR) once all inspections are completed.
We may also leave a PSR on site as a follow-up where inspections are not requested. This is around the time when the issued permit has already or is about to expire. This is an inspection attempt when calculating additional inspection fees.
A PSR indicates information such as the project location, permit number, a description of the work and the project status. It includes additional action required by the property owner or permit holder where applicable.
The PSR will be available in the project in SelfServe.
To request a PSR for a historic file, apply for a search of record.
Following the successful completion of all mandatory inspections, we will send an Occupancy Permit by email. This document represents permission to occupy. You will also find the Occupancy Permit in SelfServe.
Occupying a building before getting an Occupancy Permit is against the Safety Codes Act. It is also against Safety Codes Permit Bylaw 15894. Order to vacate and penalties may be administered.
Permits expire 90 days from the date of issuance if work has not started or has been abandoned. Where work has started they expire 2 years from the date of permit issuance.
If your permit is about to or has expired, contact the applicable discipline, such as building, HVAC, plumbing, or electrical.
Building Discipline: buildingic@edmonton.ca
HVAC Discipline: hvactechdesk@edmonton.ca
Plumbing and Gas Discipline: plumbingandgastechdesk@edmonton.ca
Electrical Discipline: electricaltechnicaladvisors@edmonton.ca
Monday to Friday
8am to 4:30pm (by appointment)
| Telephone |
In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311 |
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| Fax | 780-496-6054 |
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