Building Permits

Building permits are required for most major construction projects.  These projects include new buildings, additions, renovations, alterations, repairs, relocations, demolitions, or the change of use in an existing building.

A building permit allows you to legally begin construction on a project.  Having a permit proves that you have submitted project drawings and have met all necessary specifications.  It also ensures your project is safe and compliant.

A building permit also provides the following:

• Record of having done your due diligence to comply with codes and standards
• Additional oversight at the early stages of a project through services such as plans or design review
• Inspections by a trained and certified Safety Codes Officer

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is accredited through the Safety Codes Council and administers permits in accordance with the Safety Codes Act.

Apply for building permits through E-Permitting. Review the permit fee schedule.

You may need to get a development permit before applying for a building permit.

It is the building owner's responsibility to ensure that all permits are in place and all required inspections are completed, even if the building owner is not doing the work.

Checklists and paper applications

• Building permit application
• Building permit application checklist (accessory structure)
• Building permit application checklist (basement development)
• Building permit application checklist (basement suite)
• Building permit application checklist (deck)
• Building permit application checklist (single family dwelling)
• Building permit application checklist (commercial)
• Above ground pool guidelines

Homeowner's permits

If you have no experience with construction, it is best to hire a professional contractor who is eligible to receive permits. Only qualified professionals are eligible to apply for permits. Work done by inexperienced installers may need expensive corrections and could be dangerous.

You can apply for a homeowner's permit if:

• You own and reside at the building (or will reside if the home is under construction).
• You will personally be doing the work.
• You ensure that the work is done in accordance with the Alberta Building Code.

You may not apply for a homeowner's permit if you:

• Do not own and reside at the premises to be worked on.
• You are not personally doing the work.

Additional information, such as construction details, site maps and business details, will be required to make the proper evaluation of your development. You can submit an inquiry at permit.inquiries@rmwb.ca or 780-793-1043.

Timeline

Once a correctly completed application with all necessary documentation is received, the minimum turnaround time for a permit is five business days and the maximum is 15 business days.

Expiration of a permit

A building permit expires if the work has not started within 90 days of the issuance or if no work is carried out under the permit for a period of 120 consecutive days. Permits are good for a year provided work is progressing.

Building permits are not required for:

• Construction, including a renovation or an addition, that does not exceed $5,000 in prevailing market value if matters affecting health or safety are not at risk.
• Painting, decorating, re-roofing or re-siding if matters affecting health or safety are not at risk and there is no structural change to the building.
• Replacing or altering ducting serving a space heating appliance if it is in a single-family residential dwelling and there is no design change required to the heating and ventilation system.

Energy codes

Compliance with the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings or section 9.36 of the Alberta Building Code is required to obtain a building permit.