A Building Permit can be regarded as formal permission from Rocky View County to begin construction, demolition, addition, or renovation to a property. Building Services staff must review the building plans to ensure that they comply with the Alberta Building Code, Alberta Fire Code and Safety Codes Act, the County’s Land Use Bylaw, and other applicable regulations.
A development permit pertains to requirements of the Land-Use Bylaw. Projects must meet the requirements of the Land Use Bylaw. If your project does not meet these requirements, you must apply for a development permit before you apply for a building permit.
Most commercial, industrial, institutional, and tenant bay projects require a development permit.
The building permit process protects both the owner's interests and those of the community at large. It also helps to ensure that any structural change is safe. Failure to obtain proper permits before starting construction can result in costly delays, legal action and/or the removal of work already completed.
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 (eg. yoga studio changing to a retail store).
Building permits 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, and 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
Subtrade Permits: 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
After an application has been deemed complete (all documents provided and fees paid), the building permit can take 5 to 25 business days for issuance.
We need to ensure all work occurring on your project has all required permits before any construction work commences.
A foundation permit may be requested if all the required items are included with your building permit application. The foundation permit allows for excavation and partial construction while your building permit application is under review. Additional fee applies: Master Rates Bylaw.
Permits are valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Rocky View County does not require or issue business licenses. To apply for permits on myBuild online application portal you must register. There is no fee associated with this registration. For certified trades (Electrician, Plumber, Gasfitter), you may be contacted to provide a copy of your certification.
Please see below to make your permit submission through Rocky View County’s online permit application portal:
You will need to notify Rocky View County Building Services in writing (by email) if there is a change to the contractor as outlined below:
For a change your general contractor or builder, you will complete the Contractor Change Request- Building Permit and email to building@rockyview.ca
For a change to a contractor on a subtrade permit (Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, Sewer Connection or Private Sewage)
Additional fee applies: Master Rates Bylaw.
Rocky View County has a retention period for permit documentation. Documentation is retained for 7 years from the date of close of the permit. All requests for records must be submitted in writing (by email) to building@rockyview.ca
If you are the current property owner, as shown on the Alberta Land Title, then you may request information direct with our department. We can provide a permit summary report that details the permits, dates, scope of work and current status.
If you are not the current property owner, or you require copies of documents, then the information cannot be provided through a general email request. Instead, your request must go through our FOIP department. Record Requests | Rocky View County
This type of construction is considered “As Built” and permits are required to have the inspections completed to ensure the construction complies with the applicable code and/or act.
Permits are generally required for the following:
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 (eg. yoga studio changing to a retail store).
Building permits 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, and kitchen renovations (when replacing/installing cabinets or replacing/installing a hood fan).
Subtrade Permits: Permits for other disciplines may also be required (e.g. gas, electrical, plumbing, private sewage or sewer connections).
These letters are sent as part of the services provided with the permit, advising on the permit status and of any actions that may be required.
A farm building (also referred to as a Farm Building Exemption Permit) does require a building permit. To be considered a farm building, the stated use must meet the definition as detailed in the application form: Farm-Building-Exemption.pdf (rockyview.ca).
If the farm building has installation of sub-trade works, then complete permit application(s) must be submitted with the Farm Building Exemption application.