Building and Renovating

Do I need a permit for my project?

Most types of property or building development require one or more permits. Any use or development of lands or buildings requires a development permit, unless exempt under the Land Use Bylaw.

Many developments also require building permits, and electrical, plumbing, gas, and/or private sewage disposal permits.

Alberta Municipal Affairs offers a Do I need a Building Permit tip sheet that can help explain the process.

What is the difference between a development permit and a safety codes permit?

The Municipal Government Act and Parkland County's Land Use Bylaw guide the development permit process. Development permits are required for new builds and additions to structures and for a change in land use on a property.

The Safety Codes Act and the Alberta Building Code, Alberta Gas Code, Alberta Plumbing Code, Canadian Electrical Code Part 1, Alberta Private Sewage System Standard of Practice 2015 and Alberta Fire Code guide the building permit process.

Your project may need development permit approval to get a safety codes permit.

How do I apply for a permit?

You can find our application forms and fees online.

If you have a project planned, you can book a pre-application meeting with Planning and Development Services by calling 780-968-8888 or by visiting the Parkland County Centre. At the pre-application meeting, you can learn more about land use, development restrictions, and permitting requirements. We can help you apply for development, building and mechanical permits before beginning construction and advise if you need permits from other agencies.

What information is required to complete an application?

The information you need to submit varies depending on the type of project. Our application forms include checklists that will help you determine what type of drawings and information are required.

What is the cost of a permit?

Permit fees vary based on the type, size and value of your project. Contact us or view our fees.

Who can apply for a permit?

Usually the property owner applies for development and building permits and the specific trades will apply for plumbing, private sewage disposal, gas, and electrical permits.

How long does it take to get a permit?

Processing times can vary depending on the type of application, property zoning and how close the property is to a highway.

How long is a permit valid?

• You have 12 months to start a project once you get your development permit. You can apply for an extension.
• Safety codes permits are valid for 12 months. You cannot suspend the project for more than 120 days. Work must start within 90 days of the issue date. Contact us if you require an extension.

What type of work requires a safety codes permit?

The Safety Codes Act requires that all contractors and homeowners in Alberta get permits before starting work on buildings covered by the Alberta Building Code or work governed by the Canadian Electrical Code, the Alberta Gas Code or the Alberta Plumbing Code. 

What are the benefits of getting a safety codes permit?

The major benefits are knowing that the installation will conform to the safety standards adopted under the Safety Codes Act and that safety code officers will provide the inspections(s).

What services can I expect to receive for a safety codes permit?

Services that you can normally expect to receive include:  a permit, plans examination (if applicable), inspection(s) by certified safety codes officers, inspection reports(s), follow-up of deficiencies and/or unsafe conditions, technical advice and a status report at the completion of the project.

Where can I get more information on technical requirements?

Alberta Municipal Affairs offers a Codes and Permits Safety Tips website with brochures on subjects like private sewage treatment systems, secondary suites, building a wood deck, and many more.

Parkland County Safety Codes Officers are also available for technical inquiries and can be reached at 780-968-8888.

For your convenience, we have compiled a collection of Diagrams that may be of benefit when installing certain electrical, gas, plumbing, and private sewage components:

Do I need a permit to drill a well?

You do not need approvals or permits from Parkland County to drill a well on your land.

However, before drilling a well, we suggest you:

• Research the costs of drilling a well versus other options (i.e. cistern).
• Get a copy of your Land Title. It may have a restrictive covenant that limits if / where you can put a well on your land. Call Service Alberta at 780-427-2742 to find a local Registries office.
• Use Provincial Groundwater Information (780-427-2770) to find out if there are existing wells in your area.
• Check with your local Alberta Health Unit about water quality. Alberta Health provides water sampling. 
• Understand private water wells: "Private water well owners in Alberta are responsible for managing and maintaining their water wells. The Working Well program provides well owners with the information and tools they need to properly care for their wells."
  • See the Working Well Fact Sheet on Drilling A New Well

What kind of development can I have on my property?

Land use in Parkland County is regulated by the Land Use Bylaw. If you need help, contact us for more information.

How do I find information on my property (zoning, legal description)?

Use our online mapping system, Discover Parkland. You can also contact us for zoning, possible land uses, development projects happening in your area and other property information on land throughout the County.

How tall can my fence be? 

Fences are covered in the Land Use Bylaw, under Section 16. 

Fence height:

• If your parcel is less than 1.0 acre in size, your fence can be no higher than 6 feet for rear and side yards and no higher than 3.3 feet for front yard.
• If your parcel is larger than 1.0 acre in size, your fence can be no higher than 6 feet on all sides.

Fences built within these parameters do not require development permit approval. If you'd like to build a fence taller, please contact Planning and Development at 780-968-8443 as a variance would be required.

Is there a minimum house size?

Yes. For single detached dwellings (modular homes, double-wide manufactured homes and any home built on site) minimum size requirements are:

• 70.0 m² (753.5 ft²) for a bungalow, split level or bi-level
• 93.0 m² (1,001.0 ft²) for a two-storey

Can I build a second dwelling / secondary suite / garden suite on my property?

• can be located within a primary dwelling or accessory building or it can be a dwelling unit separate from any other dwelling

• must have its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom and living quarters (does not include a boarding and lodging houses)
• is not permitted on parcels of land less than 0.8 ha (2.0 acres)

Do fabric covered buildings and temporary buildings need a permit?

Yes. Any structure over 10 m² (108 ft²) requires a permit. Fabric covered buildings also need engineer stamped prints.

Do agricultural buildings require permits?

• it can be shown that the structure is directly and solely related to farming activity, as defined in Article 1.2.1.2 of the National Farm Building Code of Canada
• the structure is on a parcel of 2 acres or greater in size

What permits are required for agricultural activities?

A development permit is not required for permitted farming activities.

New confined feeding operations are not permitted under the County's Land Use Bylaw.

Contact Planning and Development if you'd like to discuss whether or not you will require any permits or approvals. 

Do I need a permit to replace the shingles, siding, windows or doors on my house?

No. As long as you are not making structural changes (like increasing the size of openings), general maintenance of buildings (like painting) does not require a permit.