How do I schedule a basement inspection with the City of Calgary?

You can schedule a basement inspection with the City of Calgary by calling 311 or booking online through the City's MyID portal at mycity.calgary.ca. You'll need your permit number on hand, and inspections are typically available within 2 to 5 business days of your request, though wait times can stretch during Calgary's busy spring and summer renovation season.

The inspection process for a basement development follows a specific sequence that cannot be skipped or rearranged. Understanding this sequence is critical because calling for an inspection at the wrong stage wastes everyone's time and can delay your project by weeks. The typical inspection stages for a Calgary basement development are: rough-in framing (before insulation goes in), insulation and vapour barrier (before drywall goes up), rough-in electrical (before walls are closed), rough-in plumbing (before concrete is patched and walls are closed), and a final inspection after all work is complete including flooring, trim, fixtures, smoke detectors, and CO detectors. If you're building a secondary suite, there will be additional inspections for fire separation before drywall is installed on the fire-rated assemblies.

When you request an inspection, the City will assign a Safety Codes Officer to visit your property during a scheduled window — typically a morning or afternoon block. The SCO will review the work against your approved plans and the Alberta Building Code. It's essential that the person who understands the work is present during the inspection to answer questions and make corrections if needed. If your contractor is managing the project, they should be there. If you pulled the permit yourself, you need to be present and able to explain what was done and why.

Preparation is key to passing inspections on the first attempt. Before calling for your framing inspection, ensure all stud walls are properly spaced (16 inches on centre for load-bearing, 24 inches for non-load-bearing), fire blocking is installed where required, and egress window rough openings meet code dimensions. Before the insulation inspection, confirm you've achieved minimum R-20 on below-grade walls, the vapour barrier is continuous on the warm side with all seams sealed, and no fiberglass batt is installed directly against the concrete foundation without a rigid foam thermal break. The inspector will check for gaps, tears, and improper sealing. Before your electrical inspection, ensure all boxes are properly secured, wire runs are protected where required, GFCI protection is provided in the bathroom and within 1.5 metres of any sink, and the panel has adequate capacity.

A failed inspection isn't the end of the world, but it adds delays and frustration. The SCO will provide a written list of deficiencies that must be corrected before re-inspection. Common failures in Calgary basement inspections include missing vapour barrier sealing, insufficient insulation coverage, incorrect egress window sizing, missing fire blocking, and smoke/CO detector placement errors. Re-inspection fees may apply depending on the number of failed attempts.

One practical tip: take photos of all rough-in work before closing walls. This creates a record of where wiring, plumbing, and framing are located behind drywall, which is invaluable for future maintenance and any questions that arise during later inspections. If you need help finding a contractor experienced with Calgary's inspection process, get matched for free through Calgary Basement Remodeling.