Building Permits

PLEASE NOTE: Effective July 1, 2009, Parkland County's Land Use By-law No. 20-2009 came into effect.

BUILDING PERMITS & REGULATIONS

When Do You Need A Building Permit?

All buildings exceeding 10m2 need a building permit.

A permit in the building discipline is required for the following if the Alberta Building Code applies to it:

• The construction of any building exceeding 10m2 (108 sq. ft.) in area. Some exemptions are made to farm accessory buildings if it can be shown that the structure is directly related to farming activity, as defined in Article 1.2.1.2 of the National Farm Building Code of Canada. Contact the Safety Codes Department for additional information.
• The renovation or addition to any building. Painting, decorating, re-roofing or re-siding are exempt if it can be shown that matters affecting health or safety are not at risk and there is no structural change to the building.
• Permits are also required for basement developments, secondary suites, woodstoves or fireplaces, decks with deck surfaces greater than 600 mm (24”) above grade, swimming pools and hot tubs.

Information required to obtain a building permit:

Applications are available here and at the Planning & Development Services Department, County Administration Office near Stony Plain, Alberta.  Applications must be completed in full – be sure to include the “Project Value” on the application.

Building Permit Application

If you have any questions regarding the completion of the permit, please call the Planning Department Safety Codes Clerk at 780-968-8443.

Permits are not required for buildings under 108 sq. ft. (10 sq. m.), installation of siding or shingles or replacing windows the same size and style.

Building Permit Applications will not be accepted unless all necessary information, including permit fee, are attached.

Site Plan

The site plan should be reasonably accurate and drawn to scale (photocopy enlargements Sit plan should be reasonably accurate and drawn to scale (photocopy enlargements of a lot in a registered multi-parcel subdivision are acceptable).

The site plan must show the dimensions of the land (lot) on which the building is to be located and accurately show the locations of all buildings existing and proposed on the land (lot), including the distances from the existing or proposed buildings to the two nearest property lines.

Construction Drawings

Two (2) complete sets of plans/blueprints shall be submitted (ie: foundation plan, floor plans, building elevations, cross-sections showing all construction details), engineered floor joists and roof truss layouts.

Drawings need not be imprinted with the seals of a registered architect or professional engineer when designed within the scope of 2.4.2.1, Division C of the Alberta Building Code 2006, unless the size or complexity of a project may give arise to special safety concerns by the authority having jurisdiction.

Drawings must be drawn to scale and include the following:

• Elevation drawings of the front, rear and two sides of the building, including sizes of openings (ie: windows and doors).
• Floor plans for all developed floors, including area of each floor (ie: square footage) and labeled rooms.
• A structural cross-section with specifications.
  A foundation plan.
• Specifications/layouts for any engineered products, such as trusses, beams, floor systems, etc.
• Inspector’s copy of engineered truss package must be submitted prior to framing inspection. Sufficient information shall be provided to show that the proposed work will confirm to the Alberta Building Code 2006.

Foundation Information

The following foundations are not required to be designed by a professional engineer or registered architect:

• Full concrete foundation.
• Concrete frost wall on a strip footing (4 ft. minimum).
• Pier foundation on a spread footing.

The following foundations are required to be designed by a professional engineer or registered architect:

• Concrete pile and grade beam systems.
• Concrete piles.
• Screw piles.
• Preserved wood foundation.
• Shallow foundations (ie: slab on grade foundations exceeding 55 m2 (592 sq. ft.) for other than single storey accessory buildings or slabs consisting of masonry veneer.
• Polycore foundations.

Building Permit Fee

The fee is determined by the Safety Codes Clerk at the time of application.

Please review the checklists to assist you with the requirements for a complete building permit package.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND OR DO BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION

Validity of Building Permit Approval

Once a building permit has been issued, the permit holder has 90 days within which to start building construction otherwise the permit will become void.

So long as building construction does not stop for more than 120 consecutive days, the building permit will remain valid.

The building permit expiry will vary, depending on the project type, as outlined in the Quality Management Plan.

Obtaining Additional Permits or Approvals

All applicable permits should be obtained prior to the start of any construction.

Permits for gas, electrical, plumbing and sewage disposal systems are available Parkland County.

Permits fees will double if permits are not obtained before construction/job commences.

Other Considerations

Restrictive Covenants, Easements and Caveats

Check that your proposed development, building or structure will not be in conflict with any restrictive covenant, easement or caveat registered against the title to the subject lands. Before any action is taken under any Building Permit issued by the County, we advise you to search your land title to determine if a restrictive covenant, easement or caveat is registered against the land. Be warned that a landowner or stakeholder with an interest in a restrictive covenant, easement or caveat registered against your title is entitled to take legal action against you should you violate or fail to comply with the requirements of the covenant, easement or caveat. Be advised that the County does not enforce restrictive covenants, as it has no legal right to do so.

Also, you are advised to accurately locate any oil, gas, power or telephone lines prior to undertaking any excavation work.

Land Use Designation or Zoning

Be sure to check with the County’s Planning & Development Services Department to make sure that the proposed building or use is not contrary to uses approved under the County’s Land Use By-law.

The following permits can be obtained from different departments/organizations:

Roadside Development Permits (adjacent to primary highways)

Obtained from Alberta Transportation     780-963-5711

Health Unit Permits

Obtained from the Westview Regional Health Authority     780-962-4072

Fire Permits/Approvals

Obtained from the Fire and Disaster Services Department of Parkland County
780-968-8437

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST

HOTTUBS/SWIMMING POOLS

• Site Plan with dimensions of hot tub or pool
• Include setbacks (distance to the two closest property lines)

DECKS

• Site Plan (include distances to property lines)
• Foundation plan
• Plan view
• Cross Section view
• Or an example plan with dimensions

WOODSTOVES (includes fireplaces, pellet and coal stoves)

• Floor Plan (indicating where the woodstove/fireplace will be situated)
• Stove specs and serial number (ULC code or Warnock Hershey)
• Manufacturer’s installation instructions
• Indicate what non-combustible flooring will be used (type of flooring on which the stove will be situated)

Note: An appliance installed in a mobile home must be certified for such installation.

BASEMENT DEVELOPMENTS AND MINOR RENOVATIONS

• Floor plan showing layout of new walls, bathrooms, bedroom, windows and doors
• A permit is needed if developing bedrooms/bathroom, or if the renovations will involve changing any load bearing walls.

GARAGES/ SHEDS/ STORAGE BUILDINGS

• Site Plan
• Plan View
• Elevation Views (4 sides)
• Building Cross Section
• Roof Truss Layouts (at the time of application supply Letter of Intent/Commitment
  from Truss Manufacturer

Note: Prior to the Framing Inspection we must have in our office the truss layout and truss drawings if building exceeds 55m2 (592 sq. ft.). Include beam types.

• Hydronic Heating with Ventilation Details (if applicable)

Foundation Requirements:

• Frost Wall Foundation or 592 sq. ft. (55 sq. m.) concrete slab are acceptable. Any other foundation will require a structural engineered stamped plan

Wall Requirements: 

• Walls up to 12 ft. in height are acceptable.
• Walls over 12 ft. will require an engineering stamped plan.
   

Garden sheds must also include all details for wood floor and must be pressure treated material if placed on ground or may be spruce material on pressure treated 4” x 6” or 6” x 6” skids.

MANUFACTURED HOMES

MOBILE HOME:

• Site Plan
• Elevation Drawings
• Floor Plan showing all measurements & room labels
• Foundation Plan showing point load locations
• CSA or Intertek Label Number (if available)
• Alberta Label No.
• Serial No.
• Proof of deformation resistant building (proof of steel framing)

MODULAR HOMES:

• Site Plan
• Floor Plan showing all measurements & room labels
• Foundation Plan - Engineered stamped drawings on all types other than concreteor ICF walls on strip footings.
• Elevation Views
• CSA or Intertek Label Number (if available)
• Alberta Label Number
• Serial Number
• Hydronic Heating with Ventilation Details (if applicable)
• CONCRETE AND STEEL PILE FOUNDATIONS HAVE TO BE ENGINEERED

SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS / RESIDENTIAL ADDITIONS

• Two sets of construction drawings. Drawings must be to scale.
• Structural insulated panel wall systems require engineering. 
• Site Plan 
• Floor Plan 
• Foundation Plan - Engineered stamped drawings on all types other than concrete or ICF walls on strip footings.
• Confirm type of foundation to be used and ensure this matches the drawings. 
• Elevation Views 
• Roof Truss Layouts (at the time of application supply Letter of Intent/Commitment from Truss Manufacturer 

Note: Prior to the Framing Inspection we must have in office the truss layout and truss drawings. Include beam types.

• Manufactured Floor Joist Information/Layouts 
• Hydronic Heating with Ventilation Details (if applicable)

ONE ROOM ADDITIONS AND MANUFACTURED SUNROOMS

• Site Plan
• Floor Plan
• Foundation Plan
• Cross Section View

If manufactured sunroom, provide supplier’s full product information (required)