What inspections are required during a bathroom renovation in the City of Burnaby?

Bathroom renovations in the City of Burnaby require inspections at specific stages depending on the scope of work — typically a rough-in inspection for plumbing and electrical before walls are closed, and final inspections after completion. The number and type of inspections are determined by which permits your project requires, and the City of Burnaby Building Department coordinates the scheduling.

For a full bathroom renovation with plumbing and electrical modifications, which is the most common scenario, you can expect the following inspections:

Plumbing rough-in inspection is required whenever drain lines, supply lines, or vent connections are modified. This inspection happens after the plumber has completed all rough-in piping but before any walls, floors, or ceilings are closed up. The inspector verifies pipe sizing (3-inch for toilet drains, 1-1/2-inch for sink drains), proper slope on drain lines (1/4 inch per foot minimum), adequate venting connections, proper pipe support and fastening, and that all connections are accessible for testing. The plumber typically schedules this inspection directly with the City of Burnaby and must be present or available during the inspection.

Electrical rough-in inspection is required for new circuits, relocated outlets, additional lighting, heated floor installations, and exhaust fan wiring. Technical Safety BC (TSBC) conducts electrical inspections in Burnaby. The licensed electrician files a Declaration of Work with TSBC and schedules the inspection. The inspector verifies proper wire gauge for the circuit load, GFCI protection on all bathroom receptacles, dedicated 20-amp bathroom circuit, proper box fill calculations, and code-compliant wire routing. This inspection must happen before drywall or tile covers the wiring.

Framing and structural inspection is required if your renovation involves modifying load-bearing walls, adding new walls, or making structural changes to accommodate a new bathroom layout. In Burnaby's many post-war homes (1945–1975), bathroom renovations that open up walls sometimes reveal structural issues that need correction. This inspection verifies that framing meets BC Building Code requirements, including seismic bracing requirements for Metro Vancouver's Seismic Zone 4.

Insulation and vapour barrier inspection may be required if exterior walls are opened during the renovation. The inspector verifies proper insulation values (R-20 minimum for exterior walls in BC's Climate Zone 4) and correct vapour barrier installation. In Metro Vancouver's wet climate, proper vapour barrier placement is critical to prevent moisture from entering wall cavities.

Final plumbing inspection occurs after all fixtures are installed and connected — toilet, sink, shower or tub, and faucets. The inspector verifies proper fixture installation, leak-free connections, functional shut-off valves, anti-scald protection on shower valves (thermostatic mixing valve or pressure-balanced valve, code-required in BC), and adequate water flow.

Final electrical inspection by TSBC occurs after all fixtures, outlets, switches, and devices are installed and energized. The inspector verifies that all GFCI devices function correctly, lighting operates properly, the heated floor system (if installed) is properly connected and controlled, and the exhaust fan operates and is ducted to the exterior.

Scheduling and timing are critical for keeping your renovation on track. In Burnaby, inspection wait times typically run 3–7 business days, and failed inspections require corrections and re-inspection, which can add a week or more to the schedule. Your contractor should coordinate all inspections to happen in the correct sequence — you cannot tile over shower walls until the plumbing and electrical rough-in inspections pass, and you cannot close up walls until framing inspection is complete.

Inspection fees in Burnaby are included in the permit costs. Building permit fees for a bathroom renovation typically run $200–$600 depending on the declared project value. Electrical permit fees (through TSBC) are typically $100–$300 additional. These costs are modest compared to the overall renovation budget of $15,000–$40,000+ for a typical Burnaby bathroom renovation, and they provide the assurance that the work meets code and is safe for your family.