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MISSISSAUGA, ONT. — Mississauga building officials completed more than 104,000 inspections in 2024, up almost 10 per cent from the previous year.

During the month of May, the City of Mississauga is joining with other communities around the world to recognize .

With 2025 marking the 50th anniversary of the Ontario Building Code, the city wanted to recognize the code’s important role in creating uniform building standards and the critical role building officials play.

“As the housing crisis continues, it’s critical that cities build more homes, faster without sacrificing quality or safety,” states a release. “As part of the building permit process, Mississauga’s building officials ensure that construction complies with the  and the .”

In 2024, more than 95 per cent of the 11,627 units under construction in the city were highrise apartments. 

Highrise buildings have unique structural, mechanical and safety features that make inspections more challenging than those in low-rise buildings, the release reads.

At over 800 pages, the code Mississauga’s building officials use today is more than double the length it was when it was first established in 1975.

“We often take for granted that buildings in Ontario are safe and structurally sound with the appropriate number of exits, washrooms and safe drinking water.  But it’s no accident. Our building officials play a critical role in making sure these standards are met,” said Rick Conard, director of building and chief building official, in a statement.

“In addition to delivering excellent customer service, these highly-trained professionals stay abreast of new innovations and construction trends so that we can deliver housing more quickly and make sure our residents are safe and comfortable in their new homes.”

The expertise required by building officials continues to advance as the code adopts new regulations around:

• Accessibility updates include improvements to barrier-free paths of travel and expanded requirements for accessible signage.
• Fire safety enhancements such as sprinkler system expansion and alarm systems with provisions for those with hearing impairments.
• Energy efficiency and climate resilience updates include improved insulation standards and high-performance windows.
• Structural and safety updates such as snow load requirements for roofs with solar panels and enhanced earthquake design standards.

“With more than 104,000 inspections in 2024, Mississauga’s building officials are driving the delivery of new housing and employment space in our city. From architecturally complex towers in our growing downtown to cutting-edge commercial facilities, our inspectors make sure homes and businesses are built safely while helping builders prevent costly delays,” added Andrew Whittemore, commissioner of planning and building.