A building permit is designed to address life and safety issues of a structure. It gives authorization to erect, demolish, relocate, alter or repair a structure, or change the use or occupancy of a space. A building permit application is reviewed for compliance with the Alberta Building Code by a plans examiner to ensure that our built environment is safe.

A development permit allows The City to review a development to see if it meets the Land Use Bylaw requirements and any other relevant policies or plans, such as area redevelopment plans and the Municipal Government Act. There may be conditions attached to the approval of a development permit.

Development permits are required for new projects, changes in use or additions to existing structures. Development permits address community planning, bylaws, land use, image and compatibility issues.

The development permit process is based on the Municipal Government Act and the Land Use Bylaw. Plan reviews, approvals and site inspections are provided, to ensure that development meets the approved planning, engineering and environmental policies. The process looks at land use, site development, streetscape, planning principles, densities, landscaping, transportation, parking and more.

When undertaking a new project, it is always best to consult with the Planning Services Centre​ to find out what kinds of permits you will need.

The VISTA online system is the best way to track the progress of your application. By using your Job Access Code (JAC), you can access a page that tracks your application as it circulates through the different processes. You can find your JAC on the bottom of your building permit application receipt.

To speed up the process, make sure you are submitting a complete application by following the appropriate requirement list. Ensure you:

• Have the appropriate drawings and specifications.
• Use the appropriate fee calculator to estimate your permit fees.
• Provide all documents required.
• Respond to the different departments reviewing your plans and provide additional information, plans and other documents when requested in a timely manner.
• Submit detailed floor plans showing how the space will be used and a detailed key or site plan showing the entire layout of the site where your business is located.​​

We’re committed to providing you with a timely response on your permit application.

A building permit for a minor tenant improvement may be issued within 21 calendar days, provided code requirements are met and all necessary documentation is provided in the application. The timeline of a permit application will increase if amendments or resubmissions are needed from the applicant.

Larger projects may be issued in 56 calendar days, provided that all requirements and necessary documentation was provided at the time of application.

We understand that a rejected application represents a considerable investment of time. To help prevent your permit being refused, The City will work with you to address concerns.

At the time of application, your application is pre-screened to ensure that you are submitting a complete application and that your drawings have all the necessary information for a plans examiner to review. This may include architect and engineer seals and stamps and any necessary professional schedules. Sometimes applications may require further information, which should be provided by the applicant in a timely manner, to prevent the application being refused.

Permits are reviewed by a number of plans examination safety codes officers, depending on the type of work being done and which codes are involved. For example, a restaurant is generally reviewed by a building, mechanical and plumbing safety codes officer. The plans are also reviewed by an Alberta Health Services plans examiner.

Plans are reviewed for compliance with all applicable codes. If there are major deficiencies, the plans examiner will contact the applicant for more information or for revised drawings. Permits may be issued with conditions, which need to be addressed prior to or during construction.

The drawings required for your specific project will differ depending on the type of work being done. Choosing the appropriate requirement list will help you understand what is required for your application. All drawings should include the project title, scale, north arrow, dimensions and room labels on plans.

Your drawings may require:

• Site plan or key plan
• Architectural/structural floor and mezzanine plans
• Elevations if work includes exterior additions or alterations
• Details of the wall assemblies and doors
• Plumbing, mechanical, electrical and sprinkler drawings
• A mechanical site slip from an engineer is required for new construction and additions with new foundations that could affect underground services

If you are having difficulty determining which application requirement list to use, contact the Planning Services Centre.​​

Existing interior partitions demolition can be included under the building permit for the new renovations, or it can be covered under a separate building permit where the scope of work is noted as interior partitions removal only. Interior partition is defined as a non-load bearing wall.

The all-in-one Partial Permit application process enables simultaneous submission of Partial Permit and full Alteration Building Permit. 
 Visit Apply.calgary.ca, download the Partial Permit application form, and submit it along with your Alteration Building Permit application.  The permit incurs no additional fees, ensuring a cost-effective solution for applicants. The partial permit is based on the cost of construction for the interior demolition work only. For More Information, please refer to user guide.

If you have applied for a interior partitions removal permit, the permit may be issued as a quick-release permit, if the requirements are met.

An occupancy permit​ is the final approval indicating that the building is safe to occupy. The building safety codes officer will review the scope of work to determine if an occupancy permit is required. If required, the building safety codes officer will provide an application for occupancy form to the general contractor at the time of inspection.

The building inspector will determine which other authorities are required to sign off on the project. It is the contractor’s responsibility to call in the necessary progress inspections as required. After all the required inspections are completed and signed off, the contractor will call 311 to book the building occupancy or final inspection. If occupancy is granted, the building inspector will leave the signed occupancy permit with the contractor on site. New businesses will need to arrange for a business licence after they have received their occupancy permit.​​

Contact the planning services centre and describe the issue, so that we can help you resolve your problem.

A partial permit allows a portion of the work to progress in advance of the full building permit. You may request a partial permit for excavation, foundation or construction of a particular portion of the project. A partial permit is only applicable to new buildings or additions to existing buildings.

Learn more about commercial partial permits and frequently asked questions .

A partial permit can be applied for at any time until the full building permit is issued. In addition to providing the requirements for your project, a written letter outlining the scope of the partial permit may be required, as well as the partial permit fee.

A partial permit can only be released if the development permit has been released or you have obtained a letter from the development officer stating that there are no objections to the partial permit.

If there are no outstanding development permits or bylaw issues and if adequate drawings and supporting documents have been submitted, then the partial permit can typically be released in 21 days from the application date.

Please refer to the step-by-step guide to apply for Partial Permit

To improve the quality and completeness of Commercial Multi-Family (CMF) building permit applications, the City of Calgary has introduced a 30-day prescreen review process. This initiative is designed to ensure that all applications meet the necessary requirements before advancing to a full plans review.

• Prescreen Review: The application prescreen review will be assessed as soon as possible, after the file is assigned to a file manager.
  
• Notification: Applicants will be notified of any deficiencies and given 30 days to submit the required documentation.
• Application Acceptance: If all necessary information is submitted within the designated timeframe and the application meets all requirements, it will be accepted and proceed to the full plans review stage.
• Application Refusal: Applications still deemed incomplete after 30 days may be refused and will receive a 100% refund. Applicants have the right to appeal against the refusal under the Safety Codes Act.

Note: This process is for new incoming applications as of August 16th only.

These improvements are part of our commitment to enhancing permit services and providing a more efficient experience for all applicants.

To ensure compliance with the requirement of building permit application, the applicant must:

• Review the Complete Application Prescreen Checklist before submission.
• Ensure all required fees and deposits are paid upfront.
• Respond promptly to any requests for missing information.

If an application is found to be incomplete, the applicant is notified by email with a detailed list of missing items or deficiencies. The applicant is given 30 days to address the issues. The applicant will have 30 days to respond and correct these issues.

 If an applicant fails to submit the required information within 30 days, the application may be refused, and the applicant may receive a refund of up to 100% of the permit fee, depending on the outcome of the appeal.

Cancelled applications can be resubmitted after addressing the identified deficiencies. However, the resubmitted application is treated as a new submission, and additional fees may apply.

After prescreening the CMF applications move forward for the detailed review. This review is a thorough examination of the application to ensure that all aspects meet technical, regulatory, and design standards. It involves a deep assessment of the submitted plans, documents, and compliance requirements.

The length of the detailed review can vary depending on the complexity of the application. It typically takes several weeks but may take longer for more complex or large-scale projects.

If additional information or clarifications are required, the applicant will be notified by email. This will include clear instructions on what is needed and a timeline for submitting the requested information.

1.      Yes, applicant can make changes to your application after submission by

a.       Visit apply.calgary.ca/commercial and sign in with your myID account.

b.     Click “Begin Application” for both new and existing applications. Enter the corresponding applicant details for (BP2024-00160) and click “Next”.

c.       Click on the tile named “Revisions, Resubmissions and Inspection Documents”, and click “Next”.

d.     Enter your BP Number (BP2024-00160), proceed through the questions, complete the separate itemized description of all changes and click “Next”.

e.       Review the summary and click “Next”.

f.        Upload all documents, choosing the correct corresponding document type from the list provided and click “Next”.

g.       Review your summary, consent, and submit by pressing “Submit”.

Before submitting the changes, ensure that all deficiencies are corrected in a single resubmission. All outstanding information and corrected deficiencies must be submitted online. All files are to be submitted at one time, under the correct headings, and with correct addressing.  

1.        Yes, applicants can request revisions to modify or update the original plans for a CMF building project. Revisions may include:

• Design Changes: Updates to architectural plans or layouts.
• Safety Updates: Adjustments required to meet safety regulations.
• Scope Adjustments: Modifications to the size or scope of the project.

Submitting a revision allows applicants to address new project needs, regulatory updates, or any identified deficiencies.

When a revision for a Commercial Multi-Family (CMF) building permit application is submitted, it undergoes a comprehensive review to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards. Based on the findings of this review, one of the following outcomes may occur:

• Accepted: The revisions meet all compliance requirements and move forward in the process.
• On Hold – Pending Application:
  • The revision has issues or incomplete details.
  • A Deficiency Report is issued to the applicant, listing the required corrections or missing documentation.
  • The process is paused until the applicant addresses the deficiencies.
• Not Accepted – Safety or Compliance Issues:
  • The revision does not meet regulatory requirements or violates safety standards.
  • Applicants are notified with a detailed explanation of the non-compliance.

If the revision is put on hold, it means additional details or corrections are required. Applicant receives a Deficiency Report that outlines the specific issues and actions needed to address them. The process remains paused until applicant submits the corrected revisions.

If the revisions are not accepted due to safety violations or non-compliance with regulations: Applicant notified with an explanation of the issues. The building permit will return to an issued status and the most recent approved plans, documents, and project scope. A Safety Inspection may also be required in some cases.

No, a non-accepted revision does not affect the status of the original building permit. Construction can continue based on the approved original plans unless otherwise directed.

The review process duration can vary depending on the complexity of the revision and the volume of applications. It’s recommended to contact the permit office for an estimate of the expected review time.