Building Inspections
Request a building inspection once your site meets the requirements.
Request an inspection
You must meet all residential building inspection requirements or commercial building inspection requirements before requesting an inspection.
Any inspections not completed on the scheduled day will be scheduled for the following business day.
Online
By using our online inspection request tool for your building inspection, you can:
- Request an inspection
- View inspection prerequisites
- View inspection details
- View and download your inspection slips
- View inspection results
- Make online payments
To access the online portal, you are required to have a MySurrey account.
For more information on registering for online services, please see the online portal registration guide.
Phone
Request an inspection by phone at 604-591-4231 and press "1".
- Inspections are automatically scheduled for the following business day if booked before 3:00pm.
- Please note our call system is voice activated so allowing the system to proceed to the next question will ensure all information is requested.
Cancel an inspection
To cancel an inspection, email buildinginspectionrequests@surrey.ca before 9:00am on the day of your inspection. You must include the civic address and the word "cancellation" in the subject line of the email.
- Leaving a message on the scheduling line (604-591-4231) after-hours will not result in cancellation of your inspection.
- Work that is not ready for a scheduled inspection may be subject to a re-inspection fee.
Daily inspection schedule
The inspection schedule is available online, updated daily after 9:40am, on each business day. Refer to the Inspection Area Map to locate the appropriate area list.
If your inspection request address not on the schedule, your call may have been deferred to the next business day.
Inspection requirements
The inspections listed are a guideline and dependent on the scope of work of the project or site. Related City trade inspections such as plumbing, electrical and engineering and the order of how and when they are to be requested are listed on the reverse of the yellow copy of the building permit.
- Demolition, if applicable
- Footings (when poured separate from foundation)
- Foundation
- Subgrade (poly/sub)
- Sheathing, if applicable
- Framing
- Insulation (in walls)
- Final building approval
Dependencies
Applies to all permit types for residential, multi-family and commercial inspection requests. The original documentation is required to be at the site for the Building Official to pick up. The approved plans are required to be on site for every building inspection and will not be removed from the site by the Building Official.
Foundation, framing and final building
- May have City of Surrey Engineering requirements on some sites. The Engineering Department will communicate these requirements.
Footings only vs foundation
Determine whether you will require an inspection for footings only or foundation.
Footings only
- If footings are required and are poured independently of foundation.
Foundation
- If footings and foundation are being poured together.
- If footings are not being constructed.
Subgrade (poly/slab in floor)
- Foundation and plumbing approvals are prerequisites.
Sheathing only
- Can be booked separately or inspected at framing inspection.
- If a sheathing inspection is requested, book as "sheathing only".
- Sheathing must be approved before framing can be booked.
- Sheathing can be scheduled prior to rough plumbing and electrical approvals.
Rainscreen
- Inspected at final, not as a separate inspection.
Framing
- Requires associated rough plumbing and electrical (including extra low voltage) to be approved.
- "Sheathing only" must also be approved if it was inspected separately.
- Firestop, where required, is usually scheduled under framing or in some cases, insulation.
Insulation, poly-vapour barrier in walls
- Requires framing approval.
- Rough plumbing or electrical can prevent this inspection if the permits are issued after framing approval given (e.g., extra low voltage permit issued after framing approval is given).
Final
- Requires final plumbing and electrical (including extra low voltage) to be approved.
- City of Surrey's Engineering Department requires approval, including a Boulevard Damage Inspection, conditions listed on the building permit, and District Energy, as required.
- Trees and Landscape approvals may be required depending on scope of work.
Group inspection request for final
Refer to Commercial Inspection Requirements.
Inspection requests for sites not following procedures cannot be scheduled.
Plumbing and electrical inspection approvals must be granted no later than the day before the requested building inspection. They cannot be scheduled for the same day.
Submission of final documentation at City Hall or by email does not result in an automatic booking of the inspection.
After your inspection
Following your inspection, if you have questions or would like to discuss with the inspector responsible for you inspection, please send us an email. The inspector’s email address is available on the inspection slip provided at the end of the inspection.
Construction without permits
To file a complaint about construction you suspect has been done without permits, email bylawcomplaint@surrey.ca or call 604-591-4370. Please note that anonymous complaints will not be accepted.
For complaints regarding existing secondary suites in a home, or construction noise outside designated construction hours, please contact Bylaw & Licensing Services at 604-591-4370.
Please refer to the Bylaw Library for authorized construction hours (See Community, 7044 Noise Control - Section C). For concerns regarding site safety issues, including possible asbestos removal, please contact WorkSafe BC.
Community care facilities & day cares
An application review and inspections are required to be completed by the Building, Electrical, and Fire Departments within the City of Surrey in order to operate a child (day care), or adult care facility. See our Community Care Facilities Licence Inspection Request page for more information on opening a Community Care Facility.
Business licensing inspections
The Business Licence Inspection Process involves inspections by the Building, Plumbing, and Electrical sections within the Planning & Development Department. Inspections are performed after an application is made with the Business Licensing section.
