The City of St. Catharines is committed to making the community a safe and healthy place to live. We provide a variety of inspections, alongside other levels of government, to ensure that safety, integrity and maintenance standards are met.
Building permit and property inspections
Learn how to book an inspection related to your building permit when planning a new development, as well as property inspections for vacant buildings, structural requirements, yard rubbish, damaged trees and more.
Sewer inspections
Our plumbing inspectors examine new sanitary and stormwater sewers on private property to ensure compliance with plumbing regulations set in the Ontario Building Code. We also inspect all new sewer services that are installed on public roads or within City easements. Learn how to connect your private service to the City's sewer system.
Fire inspections
Our Fire Department inspectors conduct fire and life safety inspections with new and existing buildings, in accordance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, Ontario Fire Code, Ontario Building Code and other legislation.
To book a fire inspection, please contact our Building Services Division, Planning and Building Services Department at 905.688.5601 ext. 1660 and make sure to call at least 48 hours in advance.
New buildings
We conduct inspections in fire and life safety elements, including:
- Fire alarm systems
- Sprinkler systems
- Emergency lighting
- Exit signs
- Fire extinguishers
- Kitchen suppression systems
Existing buildings
We conduct inspections on existing buildings that may include:
- Fire code retrofit
- Maintenance of a building's life safety systems and equipment
- Life safety issues related to a fire
Ontario Building Code (OBC) Review
The OBC review will be limited to the information, details and plans provided by the applicant. Filling out an application does not circumvent the requirement to obtain a building permit for the proposed development or construction project.
The following OBC review services are available:
- Pre-consultation
- Occupancy Letter/Inspection Requests
- Committee of Adjustment – Clearing of a Condition
- Alternative Solution (use the form in the hyperlink)
- Transfer of Permit
- Permit Revision
- Permit Application Extension
- Spatial Separation Agreement
- Demolition Agreement
Request a Building Compliance Letter
Apply for a Building Compliance letter from Planning and Building Services which will provide you with confirmation of completion of a building permit. The current fee can be found in the Rates and Fees Guide.