Inspections

City inspections are intended to ensure safety and compliance with all relevant bylaws and safety codes.

A Safety Codes Officer is a building and trade inspector who can issue permits, as well as inspect the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of structures and systems to ensure compliance with the relevant codes, standards and regulations.

 

Inspection requests
To request an inspection for a specific business day, you must submit the request before 1:00pm on the previous business day.
How to book an inspection

Information to have ready:

  • Project address
  • Permit number
  • Contractor name and phone number (if applicable)

Book online

To book an inspection online, use one of the following options. Do not apply with both:

Web form  OR  ePermit

New to ePermit? See user guide.
Inspection occurs

When the Safety Code Officer arrives, you will need:

  • Approved drawings
  • Permit conditions

If there are structural changes, you may need a field review by your engineering consultant on-site. If you are required to provide this document, it will be listed in the permit conditions.
Outcomes

Once the Safety Codes Officer has completed their review, they will leave an inspection report that identifies any items to be corrected.

An inspection may have one of three outcomes:
Acceptable
You do not have any deficiencies that need to be corrected. At this point, the permit is considered complete.

Acceptable with conditions
Minor deficiencies have been found, but they are not significant enough for a re-inspection. It is the owner's responsibility to correct these deficiencies.

Not acceptable

Multiple items that need correction have been found. A re-inspection is necessary before proceeding further.

A Safety Codes Officer may indicate that you can submit proof of compliance online instead of a re-inspection being necessary. You will need to attach photos and/or files showing that deficiencies have been addressed.

Submit online:

Verification of Compliance

Types of inspections

Building, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical

These inspections are required at different stages of construction, depending on the type of permit and the scope of work.

For more information, visit:

Building Permits  Trade Permits

Unsafe construction or building without a permit

These non-permit inspections are conducted by a Safety Codes Officer for work which has been started without the proper permits. If infractions are found, the inspector will issue warnings or potential fines until proper permits have been obtained.

  • To submit a complaint regarding work without a permit, phone 403-529-8374.
  • To follow up on a notice regarding building without a permit, please contact the Safety Codes Officer listed on the notice.
You can also report a concern about a property online:

Report a Property Issue

Property of concern must be within City of Medicine Hat boundary.

Development compliance

Development compliance inspections are conducted by Planning staff members to follow up on complaints related to the Land Use Bylaw. These City officials may issue warnings or tickets to bring developments into compliance with the bylaw.

For more information, visit:

Zoning and Land Use

Secondary suite & backyard suites

Secondary suites and backyard suites, whether newly developed or existing, require inspections to ensure that the space is safe for habitation.

To learn more about secondary suites and backyard suites, visit:

Secondary Suites

Work already completed

All work must be left uncovered and convenient for inspection until it has been inspected and approved by a Safety Codes Officer. If the work has been covered before inspection, it must be uncovered by the owner or the responsible contractor and left uncovered until the inspection is done. This process may require the removal of drywall from framing to allow for proper inspection.

Third-party home inspections

A third-party home inspection is typically requested by a prospective home buyer and is a non-invasive inspection to determine the condition of the house. These inspections are conducted by private companies which are not affiliated with the City.

While a third-party home inspection may reveal information that is valuable in making your decision to purchase a property, it does not ensure there are no hidden issues.