Various inspections are required as part of the permit process and occur over the course of the building process. Inspections carried out by Building Inspectors, Electrical Inspectors and Gas/Plumbing Inspectors are required.
It is the responsibility of the permit holder to arrange for inspections.
Booking and Managing Your Inspections
All inspection requests must provide all the following information. No inspections will be scheduled unless all of this information is provided.
- Correct permit number for each building permit
- Correct street address of the property to be inspected
- Type of inspection requested (see below)
- For multi-building sites, include each permit for each building being inspected
- For apartment buildings, include the floor and unit numbers being inspected
The following conditions must be met for Maple Ridge building permits.
Permit Expiry Dates
Permits will no longer be valid if these conditions are not met:
- Construction must start within six months from the date the permit is issued
- Inspections are required and must pass within this time frame
- Construction must not be discontinued or suspended for a period of more than 12 months
- The exterior of the building must be completed within six months from when construction commenced
Additional Conditions
- The address card provided when the permit is issued must be posted as soon as construction begins, in a location where it is clearly visible from the street at all times and protected from the weather.
- An Occupancy Permit is required prior to moving contents or people into any building.
- If all sub-trade inspectors and works inspectors approve for provisional occupancy, a Provisional Occupancy Permit may be issued for a limited period of time. Permit and security fees are required.
- Occupancy of a building without first obtaining an Occupancy or Provisional Occupancy Permit may result in penalties as stated in the City of Maple Ridge Building Bylaw.
- For any inspections to be conducted, the permit package, all prior inspection slips and original engineering reports must be on site for all inspections including plumbing, gas, electrical, building and sprinkler.
- For renovations or additions or where contents have been installed in a dwelling, a person at least 19 years of age must be present while inspections are being conducted. If no one age 19 or older is present, the inspection will not be conducted.
- All pets must be secured prior to inspectors attending the site.
Types of Inspections
Trades Inspections
The following inspections are required regardless of the involvement of a registered professional.
Electrical inspections are required as part of the permit process for all new construction, additions, renovations, basement finishes and other work. Inspections are required during various phases of a project.
Information required for booking an electrical inspection:
All inspection requests must provide all of the following information. No inspections will be registered or take place unless all of this information is provided.
- Correct electrical permit number.
- Correct street address of the property to be inspected.
- Type of inspection requested (see below).
- For multi-building sites, include each electrical permit for each building being inspected.
- For apartment buildings, include the floor and unit numbers being inspected.
Forms and Instructions
Electrical Contractor Declaration of Compliance
Electrical Contractors Authorization Forms are to emailed to inspectionrequests@mapleridge.ca for all electrical inspections.
Declaration for Underground Duct Inspection
Timing: After all underground electrical construction is complete, but prior to backfilling. Please note: This inspection only is called under the building permit number.
Declaration for Service Connection Inspection
Timing: After all electrical service construction is complete and a weatherproof cover is installed, but prior to requesting energizing.
Declaration for Rough-In Inspection
Timing: After electrical rough-in wiring but prior to framing. Please note: Separate Low Voltage Electrical Permits must also be issued for security, telephone, cable, and separate inspections called for this permit.
Declaration for Final Electrical Inspection
Non-Homeowner: Electrical final inspection must be performed for both types of electrical permits prior to the final building inspection.
Homeowner: Owners issued a homeowner's permit to do their own electrical work must submit their inspection request through by email to inspectionrequests@mapleridge.ca.
Gas inspections are required as part of the permit process for all new construction, additions, renovations, basement finishes and other work. Inspections are required during various phases of a project.
Information required for booking a gas inspection:
All inspection requests must provide all of the following information. No inspections will be registered or take place unless all of this information is provided.
- Correct gas permit number.
- Correct street address of the property to be inspected.
- Type of inspection requested (see below).
- For multi-building sites, include each gas permit for each building being inspected.
- For apartment buildings, include the floor and unit numbers being inspected.
Forms and Instructions
Underground Piping Inspection
Timing: After all underground gas construction is complete, but prior to the placing of any concrete or backfill.
B-Vent, F/P Vent and Rough-in Gas Inspections
Timing: After installations of heating ducts, gas venting and fireplace rough-in, but prior to framing inspection. Please note: If different contractors re installing the gas piping and the fireplaces, separate permits and separate rough-in inspections will be required.
Declaration for Final Gas Inspection
Non-Homeowner: Gas final inspection must be performed prior to the final building inspection and can only be scheduled with the submission of a Gas Contractor Declaration of Compliance Form.
Homeowner: Owners issued a homeowner's permit to do their own gas work must submit their inspection request by email to inspectionrequests@mapleridge.ca.
Plumbing inspections are required as part of the permit process for all new construction, additions, renovations, basement finishes and other work. Inspections are required during various phases of a project.
Information required for booking a plumbing inspection:
All inspection requests must provide all of the following information. No inspections will be registered or take place unless all of this information is provided.
- Correct plumbing permit number.
- Correct street address of the property to be inspected.
- Type of inspection requested (see below).
- For multi-building sites, include each plumbing permit for each building being inspected.
- For apartment buildings, include the floor and unit numbers being inspected.
Forms and Instructions
Plumbing Homeowner Permit Application and Declaration of Compliance - For owners of single-family homes
Services Inspections
Timing:
- After the installation of foundation drains, damp proofing and drain rock, sanitary sewer lines, storm sewer lines, water lines and sumps.
- Prior to backfilling of foundations.
Please note: This inspection only is called under the building permit number.
Radiant Heat Rough-In Inspections (Separate Permit)
Timing:
- After the installation of in slab radiant heat piping where required.
- Prior to the pouring of concrete slabs or toppings.
Please note: This is a separate plumbing permit from the main plumbing permit.
Plumbing Rough-In Inspections
Timing: After the installation of all above-slab interior drain waste and vent piping is complete and a water test is installed. System must be filled with water and holding.
Water Pipe, Tubs and Traps Inspection
Timing:
- After water piping is installed and a 200psi test is placed on the lines.
- Prior to framing inspection.
Final Plumbing Inspection
Non-Homeowner: A final plumbing inspection must be performed on all plumbing permits, including radiant heat prior, to the final building inspection.
Homeowner: Owners issued a homeowner's permit to do their own plumbing work must submit their inspection request through the Inspection request line by email to inspectionrequests@mapleridge.ca.
Sprinkler inspections are required as part of the permit process for all new construction, additions, renovations, basement finishes and other work. Inspections are required during various phases of a project.
Information required for booking a sprinkler inspection:
All inspection requests must provide all of the following information. No inspections will be registered or take place unless all of this information is provided.
- Correct sprinkler permit number.
- Correct street address of the property to be inspected.
- Type of inspection requested (see below).
- For multi-building sites, include each sprinkler permit for each building being inspected.
- For apartment buildings, include the floor and unit numbers being inspected.
Forms and Instructions
Sprinkler Rough-In Inspection
Timing:
- After all piping and heads are installed and the system is placed under a 200psi test.
- Prior to framing inspection.
Final Sprinkler Inspection
A final sprinkler inspection must be performed prior to the final building inspection. Please note: A 12.5mm (½in.) test line must be installed at time of final inspection to allow for verification of activation of the flow alarm. This line should be permanently installed and secured to the floor drain.
Building Inspections
Inspection timing:
- When the finish is stucco or cultured stone, the installation of backing board over the strapping is required to maintain the drainage cavity
- Alternatively, an integrated paper/stucco wire system or ¾-in. strapping with 60-minute paper may be installed.
For footings only when they are poured separate from the walls.
Inspection timing:
- After the forms for footings are complete
- After all reinforcing steel is in place where required by the approved plans
- After engineers have conducted inspections
- Prior to the placing of any concrete
For foundation walls or mono-pour (walls and footings).
Inspection timing:
- After the forms for the foundation walls are complete
- After all reinforcing steel is in place where required by the approved plans
- After a legal site survey has been completed
- After engineers have conducted inspections
- Prior to the placing of any concrete
Please note: The required original documentation must be on site for the inspection.
All sub-trade work is to be complete prior to calling for this inspection.
Inspection timing:
- After framing and sheathing of the building are complete
- After the engineered roof trusses have been reviewed
- After specialty building component such as engineered beams, floor systems or lintels have been approved by the engineer
- After fire-blocking integrity, bracing, chimneys and fireplaces, plus all rough-ins for plumbing, gas, electrical, and sprinkler works have been inspected and passed
- After the building's exterior has been covered
- Prior to installation of insulation, lath or other interior finish that would conceal such construction
Inspection timing: After insulation and vapour barriers have been installed but prior to interior finishing.
Inspection timing:
- After exterior building wrap has been installed
- After all head and sill flashings are in place
- After all penetrations through building wrap have been sealed and flashed as required
Please note:
- The inspection of rain screen, stucco wire & scratch is not required at post buildouts or 1.2m-high portions at garage doors
- Rain screen strapping complete with bug screen is to be reviewed before the application of any product or material that would conceal the strapping
- Where strapping is being spaced closer than 16in. O.C., the strapping cannot exceed 1.5in. in width
- To ensure product complies with the building code, confirm type of rain screen material to be used with building inspector prior to purchase or installation
Inspection timing:
- A retaining wall permit and inspections need to be completed prior to calling for final inspection (see Final Building Inspection section below)
- For cast-in-place concrete walls, a forms inspection is required prior to pouring concrete
- A drain tile inspection is required for all wall types prior to backfilling
- A final inspection is required when all landscaping, grading and drainage has been installed
Please note:
- Any retaining walls over 0.6m in height require a permit
- Retaining walls over 1m in height, or tiered walls with less than 3m of separation between walls, are required to be engineered
- Retaining walls not shown on the original lot grading plan are required to have the lot grading plan revised by the civil engineer of record and approved by the city prior to wall installation
- A site survey will be required for walls close to property lines, rights-of-way or covenant boundaries
Inspection timing:
- After the installation of under-slab fill and plumbing piping has been installed and inspected
- After under-slab insulation installed where required and polyethylene vapour barrier
- Prior to the pouring of concrete slabs
Please note:
- This may require two inspections when the insulation is installed above the poly
- Where under slab fill is 600mm (2 feet) or greater in depth, an engineer's sealed fill compaction report is required on site at time of inspection
Inspection timing:
- After building is framed
- After roofing plus all windows and doors are installed
- After exterior fittings and penetrations are in place
- After structural engineer has reviewed structural sheathing
Please note: Ensure all windows and doors have the correct label to verify compliance to NAFS standards.
Inspection timing: Paper, wire and flashings must be inspected prior to the application of stucco.
Please note: Ensure the application/direction of wire meets the manufacturer's specifications.
Inspection timing: After base coat of mortar is applied.
This coat is to fully cover the wire mesh to a depth of ¼-in. and be suitably rough to ensure a good bond to subsequent layers of mortar. Insufficient thickness and void spaces will lead to the premature failure of the system.
Inspection timing: After all landscaping and retaining has been installed but prior to occupying the building.
This inspection:
- Reviews the property's service connections of storm, sanitary and water
- Looks for any damage to municipal property (e.g. curbs, sidewalks, roads, boulevards, street trees, etc.)
- Ensures municipal property up to the property line maintains a positive 2% slope toward the roadway
Inspection timing: Prior to occupying any portion of the building, but after the building has been completed, including:
- Site grading
- Heating ventilation equipment
- Cooking facilities
- Security components
- Smoke/carbon detectors
- Exterior doors, hand/guards rails, (exterior and interior)
- Decks or balconies etc
- Acceptance of all schedule C-Bs (structural, geotechnical, sprinkler, etc.)
- Ensuring all plumbing, gas, electrical and sprinkler permits have been finalized
Occupancy Permits
Occupancy of a building without first obtaining an Occupancy or Provisional Occupancy Permit may result in penalties as stated in the City of Maple Ridge Building Bylaw.
Before requesting an Occupancy Permit, the following must be completed:
- Final inspections on all gas, plumbing, electrical, sprinkler, retaining wall and building permits must be approved
- Schedule C-Bs and Site Survey are accepted
- Homes on septic must have Provincial Sewerage Regulation compliance by providing a stamped letter of certification for the installed field. Guidelines for On-site Sewerage Systems
- Homes on wells must submit a sealed well water potability certificate
Provisional Occupancy Permits
If all sub-trade inspectors and works inspectors approve for provisional occupancy, a Provisional Occupancy Permit may be issued for a limited period of time.
Permit and security fees are required.
Information & Resources
Building
General Inquiries
Tel: 604-467-7311
buildingenquiries@mapleridge.ca
Submit Trades Permits Applications
permitapplications@mapleridge.ca