What paperwork does a Vancouver electrical inspector want at the final inspection?

For a residential electrical inspection in the City of Vancouver, the inspector from the City's own electrical department (not Technical Safety BC) wants to see a short but specific set of documents and conditions on site. If your project is in Burnaby, Surrey, North Vancouver, West Vancouver or Maple Ridge, the same general logic applies but the form numbers and submission portals differ by municipality.

What to have ready at final inspection

The permit itself must be posted or immediately available on site. In Vancouver, this is typically a printed copy of the electrical permit issued through the City's online permit system. The inspector will cross-reference the permit number against the scope of work, so the work done must match what was applied for. If the scope changed mid-project, an amendment should have been filed before the inspection, not after.

The contractor's Field Safety Representative (FSR) licence number is tied to the permit application, so the inspector already has it on file, but the electrician on site should be able to confirm it verbally if asked.

For larger jobs, particularly a 200A service upgrade or a new panel, the inspector will want to see the load calculation. This is a written document showing that the service size is adequate for the connected loads in the home. A licensed contractor produces this as part of the design; it does not need to be a formal engineering stamp for a typical residential job, but it must be present and legible.

For an EV charger circuit, especially one tied to a CleanBC Go Electric rebate, keep the charger's specification sheet on site. The inspector confirms the circuit rating matches the charger's nameplate and that the installation meets the BC Electrical Code requirements for the location, including GFCI protection if the charger is in a garage with a vehicle door.

For strata work, the inspector will not ask for the strata council's alteration agreement, but the contractor should have confirmed that approval exists before pulling the permit. If work touches common property, the strata's electrical room or the parkade, the permit scope needs to reflect that.

The inspector will also want unobstructed physical access: panel door open, junction boxes accessible and covered, no drywall closed over new wiring before the rough-in inspection was signed off. Closing walls before a rough-in sign-off is one of the more common reasons a job gets a correction notice.

For Technical Safety BC jurisdictions (Richmond, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Delta, Langley and the rest of the Lower Mainland outside the seven self-governing municipalities), the process is similar: the permit is issued by Technical Safety BC, the FSR files the permit online, and the inspector either attends site or, for smaller jobs, may accept a declaration of completion with photos. Confirm the inspection path with Technical Safety BC when the permit is issued, because not every job gets a physical site visit.

One thing that catches homeowners off guard: if you pulled a homeowner permit for work on your principal residence, you are the responsible party at inspection. Have your permit number, a clear description of the work, and access to every part of the installation ready. The inspector may ask you to demonstrate that outlets are live and breakers are labelled.

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