Garage, shed, gazebo and similar structures - Permits
Before you apply
Use this page to help guide you through submitting a complete application. We will explain when you need a permit, what permits you need, what your application requirements are and go over some common rules relating to your project.
Do you need a permit?
A detached garage or similar building (shed, pergola, gazebo, greenhouse, arbour, workshop, playhouse or detached carport) is considered an accessory residential building in the Land Use Bylaw, and will require a building safety approval (building permit) if:
- It is greater than 10 m2 (107 sq. ft.) – if it is under 10 m2, review the section for buildings under 10 m2 (107 sq. ft.)
- It is attached to a house – this is considered an addition and not a garage or similar structure. You will need to review the additions page.
For assistance when preparing your application please review the permit checklist.
If you’re a home builder, contractor or tradesperson
- If you’re a contractor or tradesperson hired to work on a new or existing property, it’s your responsibility to ensure the correct permits are in place before occupancy.
- Pulling the correct permits includes ensuring the permit is closed and approvals are granted before occupancy.
- Note: when an electrical contractor is doing the work only a Master Electrician can obtain an electrical permit.
If you’re a homebuilder or prospective home buyer
- You can apply for your own permits or speak with your homebuilder, contractor or tradespeople to ensure the right permits are in place for your project. If you are planning on doing electrical work yourself, you can obtain a homeowner’s electrical permit.
- You can contact 311 or visit calgary.ca/propertyresearch to request information about your property, before starting your next renovation project.
If you are updating or building a garage that is not attached to your home, you need a Residential Improvement Project Permit.
Watch the following video to learn more from our industry expert Jonathan Hasse, safety codes officer, at the City of Calgary.
Building safety approval (building permit)
Building safety approval is to make sure that the structure meets building safety requirements. Review the construction (building code information) section of this page for more information.
Electrical permit
All new garages will require a separate electrical permit for installing lights, outlets and the garage door.
A separate electrical permit is required for existing garages for:
- all new wiring installations
- when extending or altering any existing electrical branch circuit wiring.
For more information about what type of electrical work a homeowner can get a permit for, review the homeowners permits eligibility and electrical permit sections. For information for contractors, visit the trade permit contractor information page.
When do you need additional permits?
You may require additional permits depending on if it meets the rules of the Land Use Bylaw or if you are doing any additional work including electrical or plumbing.
Planning approval (development permit)
You will require planning approval for the following reasons. Please note that development permits do not guarantee an approval:
- If accessory residential building in the Land Use Bylaw is listed as discretionary in your district, there is no guarantee of approval.
- If your design or location does not meet land use bylaw rules, this means you are requesting a relaxation to the rules of the land use bylaw, there is no guarantee of approval.
- If you are building higher or bigger than the rules:
- If the garage is higher than 4.6 meters (15’-1”)
- If the height from the parking surface to where the wall meets the roof truss is higher than 3 metres (9’-10”)
- If the garage is greater than 75 m2 (807 sq. ft.) or
- If the garage will be larger than the existing house
- For a list of common rules and when a development permit is required, read more in the What are the rules section.
Plumbing permit
A separate plumbing permit is required for all new plumbing installations, as well as when extending or altering any existing plumbing systems.
For more information about what type of electrical work a homeowner may obtain a permit for, review the homeowners permits eligibility and plumbing permit sections.
For information for contractors, visit the trade permit contractor information page.
How much will it cost?
| Building safety approval - building permit | Fee schedule | Permit fee | Safety codes council fee (4%) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New garage | $321 | $12.84 | $333.84 | |
| New carport, shed, greenhouse, or pergola | $198 | $7.92 | $205.92 | |
| Renovation to an existing garage, shed, greenhouse, or pergola | $198 | $7.92 | $205.92 |
Trade permit fees
| Trade permits | Fee schedule | Permit fee | Safety codes council fee (4%) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeowner electrical permit | $112 | $4.50 | $116.50 | |
| Homeowner plumbing permit | $112 | $4.50 | $116.50 | |
| Contractor trade permit | - | - |
Planning Approval
| Planning approval - development permit (if applicable) | Fee schedule | Permit fee | Advertising fee | Development completion inspection | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposed land use bylaw relaxation for a garage, shed, greenhouse, or pergola | $365 | $30 | $155 | $550 |
How do you pay for a permit?
Online submissions
For online submissions you will pay your permit fees in full at the time of your application using a credit card
In person submissions
You will be required to pay in full at the time of your application. You may pay by credit or debit card, cheque or cash.
How long will it take to get a permit?
Timelines indicated are not a guarantee and depend on volumes, application completeness, and the applicant’s timely replies to additional information requests from the City.
Tip: To avoid delays in processing your application, make sure your application includes all the required documents, plans and information listed on the checklist below.
See the tips for a smooth application for details on submitting a complete application.
| Building safety approval - building permit | Our process | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
|
- New garage - New carport, shed, greenhouse, or pergola - Renovation to an existing garage, shed, greenhouse, or pergola |
Application is reviewed for compliance with the land use bylaw and safety codes |
Approximately 7 days |
Planning approval timelines
| Planning approval - development permit (if applicable) | Our process | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
|
Proposed structures that do not meet all rules of Land Use Bylaw 1P2007
|
|
10 - 12 weeks |
Review our development permit process page for more information about the planning approval process. |
When does your permit expire?
You will receive a permit expiry reminder in the mail. If you need more time, you can extend your permit. Review the extend or reinstate your permit section.
| Permit type | Expiry (from date of issuance) |
|---|---|
| Building permit | 180 days |
| Contractor trade permit | 330 days |
| Homeowner permit | 330 days |
| Development permit |
Your permit conditions will outline your commencement date. Commencement date is the day you must start construction by for the development permit to be valid. If you do not start construction by that date, you can request an extension of commencement. |
Do you need to hire a professional?
If you are hiring someone to do the work for you, they will need to apply for the permit. Visit our hiring a contractor page to review the 5 steps to choosing a contractor.
Professional architects or engineers
An architect or professional engineer may be required to design and inspect your project. Refer to the current National Building Code – Alberta Edition, Division C, Section 2.4.2 or a consultant to determine if professional involvement is required. Where professional involvement is required, plans or documents must be stamped by the corresponding professional(s).
If your project requires engineer’s review, then a seal of professional engineer registered to practice in the province of Alberta for the proposed design should be provided. The engineer should be registered with APEGA- The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. Please visit APEGA website for professional engineer’s stamp authentication requirements.
What are the rules when designing your project?
The following information will help you prepare your building permit application, and make sure it meets the City’s requirements.
Where are you building?
Where can you build on your property?
How close can your building be to your property lines?
Front
Accessory residential buildings (garages, sheds, pergolas, etc) are not permitted to be located in the actual front setback.
Back (rear)
If the rear property line is shared with an alley or another property, the distance from the property line must be 0.6m (1.9ft) unless:
- The building is under 10 m2
- The exterior is maintenance-free (examples of maintenance-free materials including vinyl siding and stucco), or the owner of the adjacent property grants a private maintenance easement.
- All water drainage off the building remains on the property.
- There is no eave overhang onto the neighbouring property.
NOTE: the garage apron must be 0.6m (1.9ft) in length when measured from the property line shared with the lane to the door of the garage
Side
- If the side property line is shared with a street, the distance from the property line must be 1.2m (3.9ft)
- If the side property line is shared with another property, the distance from the property line must be 0.6m unless:
- The building is under 10 m2
- The exterior is maintenance-free (examples of maintenance-free materials including vinyl siding and stucco), or the owner of the adjacent property grants a private maintenance easement.
- All water drainage off the building remains on the property.
- There is no eave overhang onto the adjacent lot.
How close can your building be to your house?
- For accessory residential buildings greater than 10m2 (107 sqft)
- 1.0m (3.2ft) clearance from the main residential building or house measuring from the closest wall of each building. Includes second floor cantilevers, bay windows etc. If your building is closer than 1.0m you will need a development permit.
- For accessory residential buildings under 10m2 (107sqft)
- There is no minimum separation, however if you attach the structure to your house, it is considered an addition
The property has a zero lot line, where can you build?
- Zero lot lines allow you to build up to your side property line. Zero lot lines commonly exist in combination with maintenance access right-of-ways on the opposite side of the property and on neighbouring properties.
- If your proposed structure projects into a maintenance access right-of-way, the document showing allowance for this type of construction must be presented at the time of application.
Building near rights-of-way
Rights-of-way can include utility rights-of-way (URWs), overland drainage rights-of-way (ODRWs), maintenance access rights-of-way (MARW), access rights-of-way and other types of City of Calgary easements and rights-of-way.
Review your Real Property Report (RPR) and Land Title to determine if there is a right-of-way registered on your property. You may request a copy of your Land Title including any right-of-way agreements registered against your Land Title from the Alberta Land Titles Office or other registry branch. To obtain an RPR, please contact any registered Alberta land surveyor.
- Permanent structures are not permitted to be built in URWs. This includes, but is not limited to, any portion of a building, such as footings, walls or eaves.
- ODRWs must be kept clear of structures, planting, landscaping, debris, and any other obstructions. Read more in the lot grading brochure
- MARWs are specific to your property, and can be found by accessing your property’s information from Alberta Land Titles.
In certain situations, The City may permit a proposed encroachment if it is minor and non-permanent. For more information read more about the Proposed Encroachment Process (calgary.ca) and complete the Encroachment Eligibility Questionnaire.
For more information visit the road and utility rights-of-way.
Contact
Before you start construction, contact click before you dig at 1-800-242-3447, to find out where your utility lines are before you build.
For information about building near or over gas lines, contact ATCO Gas at 403-292-7500.
If you have any questions regarding clearance from utility lines and boxes, contact ENMAX at 403-514-3716.
What design rules do you need to meet?
Height
- The maximum height of your building cannot be higher than 4.6m (15 ft) when measured from the finished floor to the highest point – usually the roof peak.
- The maximum height of the underside of the eaveline cannot be higher than 3.0m (9.8 ft) when measured from the finished floor to the intersection of the wall and the roof structure at the highest point.
- The finished floor height of the building cannot be higher than 0.6m (1.9ft) above grade unless the building is a garage. For example, a pergola built on a deck with a deck height higher than 0.6m would not meet the bylaw and would require a Development Permit.
- The building cannot be more than one storey in height, however it is allowed to have an attic
- The attic must:
- not have windows
- be accessed by a removable ladder
- be used by the occupants of the house for storage
- have a maximum height of 1.5m (4.9ft) measured from the attic floor to the underside of any rafter
- The attic must:
Parking
How many parking stalls do you need to provide?
- All required stalls must be located on the property and cannot be in tandem (located one in front of the other).
- At least one parking stall is required in most land use districts
- If your property is located in the following districts, you will require 2 stalls.
- R-1N or R-C1N and the property width is less than 9m (29.5ft)
- R-2, R-C2 or R-2Mand the property width is less than 9m (29.5ft) or the property area is less than 270m2 (2906 sq. ft.)
- If your property is an irregular shape and you are unsure of your property width, please refer to the example below to see how to measure your property width and determine how many parking stalls are required.
- Not all parking stalls need to be provided within a garage. Parking requirements can be met with a parking pad or driveway, provided that all required stalls are located on the property and cannot be in tandem (located one in front of the other).
Note: Many properties in Calgary were developed prior to the current bylaw and its parking requirements. There is also the potential that relaxations for parking were granted on an individual property. In these cases, the current parking requirements may not have to be met.
How big do the parking stalls need to be?
- For the purpose of parking stall requirements, walls of a garage, fences and property lines are considered barriers.
- If the parking stall touches two barriers the stall must be at least 5.9 m x 3 m.
- If the parking stall touches only one barrier the stall must be 5.9 m x 2.85 m.
- If the parking stall touches no barriers the stall must be 5.9 m x 2.5 m.
How big can the garage be?
There are specific Land Use Bylaw rules that will determine what the maximum size of garage you can build on your property. There are a couple different rules that need to be considered when determining how big your garage can be. Anything larger than what the bylaw allows will require a development permit.
- The total area of accessory residential buildings on a property cannot be more than:
- the building coverage (footprint) of the main residential building (house), or
- 75 m2 (807 sq. ft.) per dwelling unit
- The combined parcel coverage of all buildings cannot exceed a certain percentage of your total property size. This percentage is determined by your specific land use district. See the graph below to determine your allowable lot coverage.
| Land use district | Allowable coverage (%) | Parcel area <= 300 m2 Parcel width < 10 m |
Parcel area <= 300 m2 Parcel width < 8.7 m |
Parcel width > 11 m | Semi-detached / duplex | Row / townhouse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-C1L R-C1Ls |
40 | x | x | x | x | x |
| R-C1 R-C1s R-C2 R-1 R-1s R-MH R-CG* |
45 | x | x | x | x | x |
| R-C1N | 45 | 50 | x | x | x | x |
| R-1N | 50 | x | 60 | 45 | x | x |
| R-2 | 45 | x | x | x | 50 | x |
| R-2M | 45 | x | x | x | 50 | 60 |
| *Parcel coverage rules for R-CG change as density increases. | ||||||
Note: If the aggregate area of all accessory buildings is under 10 m2 (107 sq. ft.) those structures will not contribute to parcel coverage.
How to calculate lot coverage
To calculate lot coverage, you will need to divide the footprint area of all applicable buildings by the property size.
(Total building area ÷ property area) × 100 = lot coverage %.
Tip: You can use a Real Property Report (RPR) as your site plan. The lot dimensions will be located on the document.
Example:
Calculation: (Total building area ÷ property area) × 100 = lot coverage per cent
- Find the allowable coverage for the property based on your land use district.
R-C1 = 45% - Calculate the property area.
10.36 m × 32.0 m = 331.52 m2 - Add all applicable building areas:
house: 77.2 m2 covered deck*: 9.3 m2 shed: 10.2 m2 proposed garage: + 40.8 m2 Total building area = 137.5 m2 - Divide the total building area by the property area and times that by 100 to get a percentage.
total building area = 137.5 m2 × 100 = 41.47% property area = 331.52 m2
R-C1 allows for a maximum lot coverage of 45%. Therefore, the proposal comes within the allowable lot coverage.
*Covered deck is only included in the calculation because it has a roof structure. Decks that are not covered should not be included.
Rooftop decks and balconies
- If you are proposing a rooftop deck or balcony, a development permit will always be required.
- There is no guarantee your development permit would be approved if your building includes a rooftop deck or balcony.
- If your application is approved, you will still need a Building Permit to review the Building Safety of the structure.
Semi-detached garages
- A semi-detached garage is where two garages share a common wall along a property line
- The maximum size of each side of the garage is 75m2 per single family home, per side of a semi-detached home and per rowhouse unit.
Lane grades for unpaved lanes
- If a detached garage is accessing an unpaved rear lane, a lane grade can be established through a Development Site Servicing site visit. This will ensure that the garage floor will be at the correct elevation in relation to the lane. The City of Calgary will assume no responsibility for water runoff into the garage, or access problems arising from construction of a garage, due to a grade that is inconsistent with the design grade approved by Development Site Servicing.
- This service is not mandatory.
- Residential grades requirement list
- Note: there is a fee for this service.
If you have questions or need clarification on the Land Use Bylaw rules, or have general permit questions, please contact the Planning Services Centre.
Construction information (building code) to consider when designing your building
Buildings under 10 m2 (107 sq. ft.)
Accessory residential buildings under 10 m² (107 sq. ft.) in area typically do not require a building permit, however, they must comply with the rules listed under where can you build? and what design rules do you need to meet?
Building within 0.6m of the side property line
When building within 0.6m (1.9 ft.) of the side property line, accessory residential buildings which are 10 m2 (107 sq. ft.) or larger have the following requirements for fire-ratings and permitted locations of eave projections:
Fire rating
5/8" Type X drywall is required to be installed from floor to ceiling on all interior walls that are located within 0.6m (1.9 ft) of the side property line.
Eave projections
Eave projections are not permitted within 0.45 m (1.5 ft.) of a side property line shared with an adjacent property (excluding rain trough). All water drainage off the building must remain on the property. A non-vented soffit (underside of eave projection) is required for eaves within 1.2 m (3.9 ft.) of a property line shared with an adjacent property.
If the eaves will project towards the lane instead, the roof trusses will likely be resting on the beam over the overhead garage door. If this is the case, you will need to provide a copy of the beam calculations or manufacturer’s truss layouts when you apply for a building permit.
The National Building Code (Alberta Edition) has specific distance requirements for eaves and soffits, as demonstrated in this diagram:
Temporary tent garages
Temporary tent garages on residential properties do not require a building permit, however; they must comply with the rules listed under where can you build? and what design rules do you need to meet?
Note: tent garages are not considered maintenance free structures, so the setback rules apply.
Parking pad
Although a building permit is not required for a parking pad, if you plan on pouring a parking pad for the purpose of building a garage in the future you should consider the location after reviewing the rules listed under where can you build? and what design rules do you need to meet?
If your garage slab will have an area bigger than 55 m2 (592 sq. ft.), and does not have a concrete foundation that is 1.2m below grade, you will need a concrete slab designed by a professional engineer. Please refer to Building Regulations Bulletin 2014-011.
Homeowner Trade Permits
Homeowner permit eligibility
If you are a homeowner, you may to apply for homeowner's plumbing, electrical and gas fireplace installation permits for new work, including renovations, if:
- You legally own the home - if you have recently purchased the property, it takes some time for the title to transfer to you. We may request a copy of your purchase agreement as proof of ownership.
- You live in the home or intend to reside in it - the home cannot be a rental property.
- You are doing the work yourself - you cannot pull a permit on behalf of the individual or company doing the work. If you are hiring someone to do the work for you, they will need to apply the permit. Visit our hiring a contractor page to review the 5 steps to choosing a contractor.
Other requirements
- Homeowners cannot pull a homeowner's electrical permit and plumbing permit for apartment-style condos. A licensed contractor must install the wiring in these types of residences.
- The electrical and/or plumbing system can only service that home, including a secondary suite contained within it.
- If the home is a semi-detached dwelling, one side of the property is acceptable (the side the owner lives in). This includes any accessory buildings on the same property.
- Row-type, individually owned condominium townhouses are acceptable with authorization from the condo board to the unit owner. The permit would apply only to the unit that the owner lives in. Other units in the complex are not included.
- If the home is owned by a corporation, a director can pull this if they live there and are completing the work themselves. The City of Calgary will request a copy of the corporation documents to show proof of ownership.
Electrical permit
A separate electrical permit is required for:
- All new wiring installations.
- Extending or altering any existing electrical branch circuit wiring.
- As a homeowner, you can:
- Tie into the main panel without physically changing it.
- Add a sub-panel to an existing main service, provided there is an existing main breaker.
- Install electrical wiring for above-ground swimming pools and hot tubs.
Our homeowner electrical wiring guide provides important information to help homeowners who are interested in doing their own work. Other methods of installation not identified in this guide may be acceptable; however, all installations must meet the most current requirements of the National Electrical Code of Canada.
Homeowners are not permitted to:
- Install, alter or modify the main electrical service, including the main panel, main breaker or the meter base.
- Install electrical wiring in permanent, in-ground swimming pools and hot tubs.
- Install or alter solar photovoltaic systems.
A homeowner that is a journeyman electrician may apply for homeowner electrical permits that typical homeowners are not allowed to apply for. In order to qualify, you must:
- Have a journeyman certificate.
- Own the home.
- Must live in the home.
For questions, please contact our technical assistance centre.
Plumbing permit
A separate plumbing permit is required for:
- All new plumbing systems.
- Extending or altering plumbing systems.
- Water and sewer lines in or around the home that are being replaced
Installing or replacing a hot water tank requires a permit in some situations. A permit is required if there are changes to:
- The gas lines located upstream from the water heater shut off valve.
- The venting system (e.g. size and design).
- The type of water heater (e.g. changing from a natural draft water heater to a direct vent water heater).
A plumbing permit is not required to:
- Repair a leak in a water distribution or drainage system.
- Replace existing faucets and fixtures.
- Remove blockage in the drainage.
Our homeowner plumbing guide provides important information to help homeowners who are interested in doing their own work. Other methods of installation not identified in this guide may be acceptable; however, all installations must meet the most current requirements of the National Plumbing Code of Canada.
Gas permit
A homeowner that is a first-class or second-class gas fitter (i.e. journeyman) may apply for homeowner gas permits that typical homeowners are not allowed to apply for. In order to qualify, you must:
- Have a Journeyman certificate
- Own the home
- Must live in the home
If you have questions or need clarification on the Building Code information, contact our Technical Assistance Center.
What to do if the work has already been completed?
Concealed wiring procedure
If your renovation has previously been finished without proper permits, you can still apply for the permits after the work has been completed.
For an electrical permit, when the work has been concealed by drywall, you are required to follow the concealed wiring procedure. A homeowner’s permit cannot be issued for concealed wiring completed without proper permits. To have the inspection done, the owner must hire a licensed electrical contractor. The contractor will have to obtain an electrical permit and check that the wiring complies with electrical codes. However, the homeowner is responsible for any previously concealed electrical wiring.
Note: There is a possibility the inspector may ask for drywall to be removed to complete their inspection.
Concealed plumbing procedure
If your renovation has previously been finished without proper permits, you can still apply for the permits after the work has been completed.
For a plumbing permit, when the work has been concealed by drywall, you are required to follow the concealed plumbing procedure. A homeowner’s permit cannot be issued for concealed plumbing completed without proper permits. To have the inspection done, the owner must hire a licensed plumbing contractor. The contractor will have to obtain a plumbing permit and check that the plumbing complies with plumbing codes. However, the homeowner is still responsible for any previously concealed plumbing.
Note: There is a possibility the inspector may ask for drywall to be removed to complete their inspection.
How to prepare your application
1. Prepare the application details
You will need to know:
- The project address
- Who is applying (the homeowner or someone representing the owner)
- Who will be doing the work (contractor, homeowner)
- What you are applying for
- Project details, including the size of the building
2. Prepare the required documents and plans
Building permit application requirements
Specific drawing and supporting document requirements are listed on the permit checklist. You must provide all the required drawings and documents when you submit your application.
Plans
Sample drawings have been provided to assist you with completing your requirements – you should provide everything listed on the checklist as shown on the Sample Drawings.
1. Site plan
- Tip: You can modify a Real Property Report (RPR) to use as your site Plan.
- You must note where the proposed garage is going to be located on the property, along with the size of the garage, the height of the garage and the distances from property lines as well as the house.
2. Maintenance access right-of-way
- If there is a Maintenance Access Right-of-Way(MARW) registered to the property, you will need to provide the MARW document with your application.
- You can obtain these online or in person through the Alberta Land Titles office.
3. Beam calculations or manufacturer’s truss layout
- Only required if the roof trusses are resting on the garage door.
- You can get a copy of this from the manufacturer of your roof trusses.
Development permit application requirements
Plans
Sample drawings have been provided to assist you with completing your requirements – you should provide everything listed on the checklist as shown on the Sample Drawings.
1. Site plan
- Tip: You can modify a Real Property Report (RPR) to use as your site Plan.
- You must note where the proposed garage is going to be located on the property, along with the size of the garage, the height of the garage and the distances from property lines as well as the house.
Supporting documents
2. Elevations
- You will need to provide elevation drawings of all four sides of your garage.
- An elevation drawing is a 2D view of the exterior walls of your garage.
- Indicate where any windows, doors and garage doors are located on the elevation as well as the ground level.
- The cross-section is a 2-D interior view of what the garage looks like inside.
- Your drawing should include the interior wall height, building height, type of siding and eave dimensions.
- You can use our garage worksheet to satisfy this requirement.
4. Maintenance access right-of-way
- If there is a Maintenance Access Right-of-Way(MARW) registered to the property, you will need to provide the MARW document with your application.
- You can obtain these online or in person through the Alberta Land Titles office.
5. Abandoned well declaration form
- A map of the subject property showing the presence or absence of Abandoned Well Locations on GeoDiscover Alberta’s Map Viewer must be included with the form.
- Reference the user guide to finding abandoned wells for more information on how to locate your property.
6. Public tree disclosure statement
- Indicate yes or no if there is a public tree on the City lands within six meters of and/or overhanging your property.
- If there are public trees, show these trees on your site plan and complete the rest of the form..
- If you are not sure if there are public trees, you can use the city’s Tree Map (may not be up to date for your property) or contact 3-1-1 for a development tree inquiry.
Apply
Tips for a smooth application process
Before you apply
Download the checklist and check each application requirement as you prepare to submit your application. Items listed on the checklist are the minimum requirements. We might need more information after we review your application.
Provide all required documents on the checklist, including drawings, supporting material, and any additional forms. If you are not sure if something is required, contact the Planning Services Centre.
Use sample drawings to review what you need to include on your plans
Double check your documents are completed and make sure you have all required items on your plans before you upload them
After you apply
The Planning Services Centre may contact you for more information required for your application. Follow-up on requests for more information as quickly as possible.
Use the Job Access Code (JAC) to check status updates for your application on calgary.ca/vista
- You’ll get a JAC by e-mail after you’ve submitted your application. If you did not receive a JAC number, contact the Planning Services Centre.
- Checking your application’s status using your JAC will provide you with timely updates about the status of your application
What is a complete application?
A complete application means that you have provided all the necessary requirements for our teams to complete their reviews. You should provide everything listed on the Complete Application Requirement List and the Guide to a Complete Application (if applicable), including plans, supporting documents and payment.
An application for a permit may be refused if, within ninety (90) days from the date of receipt, if adequate information and documentation is not supplied as requested by the Safety Codes Officer. Should a permit be considered for refusal, the applicant will be given notification in writing and 30 days to resubmit the missing information. For more information, please review Building advisory A19-002 building permit complete application.
Apply online
To apply online, you need a myID account. Create a myID account.
-
apply.calgary.ca
Apply in-person
Complete the application form.
Once you have gathered all required documents, you can apply for your permit in person by visiting the Planning Services Centre.
We’re currently experiencing higher than seasonal application volumes, we apologize for delays. To check the status of your permit, go to vista.calgary.ca and enter in your Job Access Code (JAC) number
Video tutorial - How to apply for permits
After you apply
How to check the status of your permit
After you submit your application online, you will get a confirmation email with a Job Access Code (JAC).
To track your application and check its status, enter your Job Access Code in Vista.
If you need help or have questions, contact our Planning Services Centre.
What Inspections do you need?
In most cases, you only need a framing (rough-in) inspection to complete a residential improvement or renovation. In some cases, a safety code officer may require a second inspection.
Framing (rough-in) inspection
Inspection requirements:
- The garage must be at lock-up stage, where all doors and windows are properly installed, with the building secure and the site safe.
- Garages can be built into the side yard, close to the property line. Fire rating standards must be completed, with fire-rated materials installed.
- The garage inspection can occur when the project is complete, or at the framing stage when doors and windows are installed.
Electrical trade permits
For an electrical inspection, The City’s safety codes officer (SCO) must have access to all areas where electrical work has been completed.
Before booking your inspection, please make sure:
- There is no exposed live wiring.
- All electrical devices that are required as part of the minimum life safety requirements are installed and operational.
- Hardwired Smoke/CO detectors are installed and interconnected.
For more information, review the homeowner electrical wiring guide.
Plumbing trade permits
What you need to complete before you call for each plumbing inspection:
Rough-in inspection
- Install and complete all plumbing drainage and venting.
- Install and connect water lines to the rest of the water distribution system.
- Properly support all drains, vents, and water lines.
- Install the bathtub/shower valve.
Provide a shut off valve for all toilets.
How do you book your inspections?
Visit building inspections for information on how to book, cancel or reschedule an inspection, permit expiry and the requirements for each inspection type.
Homeowners
Make changes to your permit
Planning Services Centre
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (MT)
Live chat:
calgary.ca/livechat
Call:
403-268-5311
In person:
Planning Services Centre,
3rd floor, Municipal building
800 Macleod Trail SE
Book an eAppointment for in person services at appointment.calgary.ca
Click before you dig
Always contact Utility Safety Partners before you dig. Submit a locate request online or call 1-800-242-3447 for more information.