A Building Permit is formal permission from Rocky View County to begin construction, demolition, addition, or renovation to a property. Building Services staff review plans to ensure they comply with all application local and provincial regulations.
The building permit process protects both the owner's interest and those of the community at large. It also helps to ensure that any structural change is safe. Failure to get the proper permits before starting construction can result in costly delays, legal action or the removal of work you have already completed.
When to Get a Building Permit
Building permits are required for demolition or construction for any building over 107 square feet (10 m²). This includes relocation, alterations/renovations, and changing the use of a building (e.g. yoga studio changing to a retail store). They are also required for:
- Deck construction (where the deck is greater than 0.6 m (2 feet) from ground level at any point)
- Wood burning appliance installation
- Swimming pools
- Hot tubs
- Kitchen renovations (when replacing/installing cabinets or replacing/installing a hood fan)
Building permits are not required for minor repairs and replacements that do not affect the structural integrity of a building. Some of the projects that do not require a building permit include:
- Re-insulating or adding insulation
- Window or door replacement, providing the opening is not enlarged
- Re-roofing, except where structural work is involved
- Minor exterior repairs and siding
Although your project may not require a building permit, permits for other disciplines may still be needed (e.g. gas, electrical, plumbing, private sewage, or sewer connections). Some of the projects that do not require a subtrade permit include:
- Furnace and hot water tank replacements, providing no design change is required to any gas piping or venting system
- Repair or replacement of plumbing fixtures, providing no design change is required to the piping system
How to Apply for a Building Permit
Permitting Process
- 1
Pre-application consultation
Applicants may arrange a meeting for a fee to discuss their proposed project by scheduling a pre-application meeting with Building Services.
- 2
Application submission
When submitting your application, all forms and required documentation are to be submitted to ensure timely review of your permit applications. Refer to the relevant checklist to assist in completing your application.All forms must be filled out in their entirety, including signatures where applicable.
All contact information (names, phone numbers, and email addresses) for all owners, contractors and applicants must be provided.When submitting applications in person, plans and documents must be submitted in electronic format, such as a flash drive or memory stick.
- 3
Evaluation of application
Within three to four business days, the application will undergo an administrative review and processing. The application is not considered complete until all required information and documents have been submitted.
- 4
Fees
Permit fees will be calculated as part of the administrative review and must be paid before your application proceeds to a technical review. Learn more about payment options and fee schedules.
- 5
Technical Review
The application will be reviewed for all technical and building code requirements.
- 6
Permit issuance
Depending on the complexity of the project, applications may have a permit issued within three to five business days, or up to 15 business days.Three to five business days typically includes basement development, decks, fireplace/wood stove, swimming pool/hot tub, kitchen/home renovation, farm building exemption, simple accessory building, simple tent/air-supported structure.
Ten to 15 business days typically includes single family dwelling, move-on dwelling/manufactured home, additions, detached garage and other accessory buildings, accessory dwelling unit/secondary suite, tent/air-supported structure, tenant bay development, commercial/industrial/institutional building.
Once a permit is issued, the County must be notified of any changes. All permits expire one year from the date of issuance.
- 7
Inspections
Safety Codes Officers for all trades and subtrades perform inspections at major phases of construction. It is the responsibility of all property owners and/or agents to be aware of inspection requirements and to schedule inspections at the specified stages of construction. The permit and a current copy of building and relevant subtrade plans must be kept on site and be made available for the inspection.
- 8
Completion
A Permit Services Report stating the closed status of the permit(s) will be sent to the property owner within 30 days of all final inspections being passed.
- 9
Permit renewals (if required)
All permits expire one year from the date of issuance. If a permit expires before work has been started, or before all required inspections have been performed and passed, the applicant will be required to renew or reapply for a permit.
Project-Specific Information
Building projects require different applications and processes depending on what is being built. The following list of building projects provides details and instructions specific to each task. Please refer to the Rocky View County Building Permit Checklists and the Safety Codes Council Safety Tips brochures specific to your project.