Who inspects and why
Once your permit is issued, a City of Calgary safety codes officer comes to check that the work meets the building, electrical, plumbing and gas codes. The inspection is not a review of quality or finish. It is a check that the house is safe and built to the approved drawings. A development inspector checks separately that the work matches any development permit.
How many inspections you need
For most home improvements, the City needs a single framing inspection, also called the rough-in inspection. A secondary suite always needs two, a framing inspection and a final inspection. Each trade permit for electrical, plumbing, gas and heating has its own inspections on top of that. A safety codes officer can ask for a second building inspection whenever they think it is needed.
What a framing inspection checks
| Project | Ready for inspection when |
|---|---|
| Basements and home renovations | Structural changes, all wall and ceiling framing, new windows and exterior doors and any heating changes are done, and the electrical and plumbing are roughed in under their own permits |
| Additions | The same as a renovation, with nothing covered by insulation, vapour barrier or drywall |
| Decks and balconies | The structure, railing and stairs are finished and the beams, posts and joists underneath are visible |
| Detached garages | The garage is at lock-up with doors and windows in and fire-rated walls done, or the garage is complete |
| Retaining walls | The wall and its guards are complete |
| Fireplaces | Framing and any fire rating are done and the unit is installed to the manufacturer's instructions, before it is covered |
| Hot tubs and pools | Final inspection only, once the tub is ready to use with its locking cover, or the pool fence and gate are finished |
Do not cover the work
The most common and most expensive mistake is closing walls too early. Insulation, vapour barrier and drywall must not go over anything that still needs to be inspected. If they do, the inspector can ask for them to come off. On the day, the inspector will need the approved drawings, the permit conditions and equipment manuals. If your permit includes structural changes, it may also require an engineer's field review, which will be listed in the conditions.
How to book
Homeowners book building, electrical and plumbing inspections online through the Inspections Booking System using a myID account and the job access code from the permit. Book before 2 p.m. for a visit the next business day. Building and trade inspections happen between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you need help, the Inspections Call Centre is at 403-268-5311, Monday to Friday. Homeowners can request a remote video inspection for plumbing and gas permits, done over a video call with a phone and a tape measure.
What the results mean
| Result | What happens next |
|---|---|
| Acceptable | No deficiencies. Carry on to the next stage. |
| Acceptable with conditions | Minor items to fix, with no reinspection. Fix them before the next inspection. |
| Not acceptable | Several items need correcting. You need a reinspection, or an accepted verification of compliance, before carrying on. |
| Verification of compliance | The inspector lists the deficiencies. Fix them, sign the VOC form and send it in, and the City can accept it without another visit. |
| Not required | No site visit is needed. Carry on with the work. |
Closing the permit
A permit is only finished once every required inspection has passed. Open permits come up when you sell or refinance, and they can come up in an insurance claim. Building permits expire 180 days after they are issued and trade permits after 330 days, so keep the inspections moving or ask for an extension. Once all inspections are done, a Permit Services Report summarising the results is available to the owner on request.
How Kay2 handles inspections
On a Kay2 project the site supervisor books every inspection, meets the inspector, and keeps drywall and insulation off until the framing and trade inspections pass. You get the inspection records with your project documents. For every booking and permit link in one place, see how to apply for permits and inspections in Calgary. For the words on a permit you might not know, see building and development permits explained.
Sources
- City of Calgary: Inspections for homeowners
- City of Calgary: Preparing for your inspection
- City of Calgary: Remote video inspection
Checked November 8, 2026. Programs and rules change; confirm current details with the source before you rely on them.
Talk it through with Kay2
Every project starts with a complimentary consultation with one of our estimators.
