Who must request a building inspection in Québec, Quebec?

Contractors and permit holders must request inspections for regulated stages of work as required by the municipal permit conditions.

How do I schedule an inspection?

Schedule via the City of Québec’s Permits and Inspections contact or online portal; use the contact page for phone or in-person options.

Do contractors need an RBQ licence for inspections?

Contractor licensing is governed by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec; contractors should confirm licensing requirements with the RBQ.

Where to Request Building Inspections in Québec

Housing and Building Standards Quebec 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026

In Québec, Quebec, contractors must request municipal building inspections through the city’s permitting and inspections services before covering or completing regulated work. This guide explains which municipal and provincial offices handle inspections, how to submit requests, common enforcement outcomes, and practical steps contractors should follow to remain compliant.

Which office handles building inspections

The City of Québec administers building permits and municipal inspections for work within city limits; provincial oversight on technical code and contractor licensing is provided by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ). For municipal permit applications and inspection requests, contact the city’s Permits and Inspections service (municipal permits and inspections)^[1]. For contractor licensing and province-level technical rules, consult the RBQ (contractor licensing and obligations)^[2].

Always book required municipal inspections before concealing work or requesting occupancy.

When to request an inspection

Before covering structural elements (foundation, framing) or systems (electrical, plumbing).
After completing staged work identified on the permit (rough-in, insulation, final).
When required by a municipal order or as a condition of permit approval.

To find the municipality’s preferred request method and any online booking portal, use the city contact and inspection pages (Permits & Inspections contact)^[3].

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Québec enforces municipal bylaws and permit conditions through inspections, orders to remedy, and administrative or judicial measures. Specific fine amounts and schedules are not specified on the cited municipal pages; where numeric penalties or scales are required they must be confirmed on the official bylaw text or enforcement notices cited below.^[1]

Monetary fines: not specified on the cited municipal pages; check the specific bylaw text or enforcement notice for amounts.
Escalation: the municipality may impose orders, repeated fines, or seek court remedies for continuing offences; ranges and step increases are not specified on the cited page.
Non‑monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, orders to correct or remove work, and administrative charges or court orders are used to secure compliance.
Enforcer and complaint pathway: the City of Québec’s Permits and Inspections service and By-law Enforcement handle complaints and inspections; use the municipal contact page to submit complaints or request inspections. ^[1]
Appeals and review: appeal routes and statutory time limits vary by instrument; specific appeal periods are not specified on the cited municipal pages and must be confirmed on the bylaw or permit conditions.
Defences and discretion: compliance defenses can include valid permits, approved variances, or demonstrating a reasonable excuse; the RBQ addresses licensing defenses for contractors at the provincial level. ^[2]

If a permit condition requires an inspection, failing to obtain it can delay approvals or trigger orders.

Applications & Forms

The City publishes permit application forms and instructions for common building permits on its Permits and Inspections pages; some forms and submission details are provided online while others require in-person submission or e‑services. Specific form numbers and fees are not specified in the high-level municipal pages and should be retrieved from the city’s permit portal or the local permits office.^[1]

Typical documents: permit application, plans, contractor licence (RBQ), proof of insurance.
Fees: fee schedules vary by permit type and are not listed with fixed figures on the cited municipal summary pages.
How to submit: see the city’s permit and contact pages for online portals or office submission instructions. ^[3]

Keep a copy of inspection reports and permit conditions on site until final approval is issued.

How to request an inspection

Confirm the permit and required inspection stages on your permit documents.
Book the inspection using the city’s online portal or contact number listed on the Permits and Inspections page. ^[1]
Ensure the site is safe and accessible and that required documents/labels are available for the inspector.
Receive and record the inspection report; if defects are noted, schedule reinspection after corrections.
Retain inspection records until final permit closure and occupancy approval.

FAQ

Who must request a building inspection in Québec, Quebec?: Contractors and permit holders must request inspections for regulated stages of work as required by the municipal permit conditions.
How do I schedule an inspection?: Schedule via the City of Québec’s Permits and Inspections contact or online portal; use the contact page for phone or in-person options. ^[3]
Do contractors need an RBQ licence for inspections?: Contractor licensing is governed by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec; contractors should confirm licensing requirements with the RBQ. ^[2]

Key Takeaways

Book required municipal inspections before covering work to avoid orders or delays.
Keep permit documents and inspection reports on site until final approval.