Home Renovations and Basements

Please note: The information on this webpage still reflects the policies and regulations that were in effect prior to Zoning Bylaw 20001 coming into effect on January 1, 2024.

If you have specific questions regarding how the current zoning regulations apply to your project, please refer to Zoning Bylaw 20001, speak with your Development Planner, or email us at developmentpermits@edmonton.ca

Thank you for your patience as we update our content.

Includes windows and exterior doors

Do I Need A Permit?

Permits are required for common renovation projects such as:

• Changing the exterior finish material of a house
• Adding or changing the size of a window or exterior door
• Building or finishing a living/recreation room, bedroom or bathroom
• Repairs due to fire or flood damage
• Structural changes

Permits are not required for maintenance or minor cosmetic upgrades such as:

• Replacing flooring, painting, installing kitchen cabinets
• Replacing roof shingles
• Replacing windows of the same size
• Replacing the exterior finish of a house with similar materials (such as replacing existing vinyl siding with new vinyl siding)

Unsure Which Permits You Need?

Use the residential permit guide to help determine which permits you need and an estimate of fees before you apply.

If adding separate living quarters inside a home see Secondary Suites
For renovations that add floor area (square footage) to a home see Additions
For solar panels or geothermal systems see Renewable Energy Systems

Important Information About Permits

• Plans for heating and ventilation, plumbing, gas or electrical systems are not reviewed prior to the issuance of permits, as code compliance is verified during inspections. Homeowners and/or contractors are responsible for ensuring that design and construction meet code.
• Inspections may be required at various stages of your project. Review your building permit conditions to understand when to request inspections.
• Projects may require both a development permit and a building permit. Separate permits are required for heating and ventilation, plumbing, gas, and electrical work.

Who can apply for permits?

• Homeowners must live in their single detached home in order to apply for Homeowner heating and ventilation, plumbing, gas, and electrical permits.
• A certified trade contractor is required to apply for heating and ventilation, plumbing, gas, and electrical permits when the home shares a wall with a neighbour such as a duplex, semi-detached, row townhouse or condominium.

Permit Information:

Tips for Planning Your Project

• Apply online and follow the steps below to prepare your application.
• CLICK-Before-You-Dig or DIAL-Before-You-Dig: 1-800-242-3447 for no-cost utility marking.
• Applications are typically processed within 3-4 weeks. Expect longer processing times during peak season (March-August).

Design Requirements

Homeowners and/or contractors are responsible for ensuring that designs and construction meet building codes. Please make sure to also include the following items:

• Smoke alarms must be installed in each new bedroom and in the hallway or living space within 5m (16ft) of bedroom door(s). Smoke alarms must be hardwired and interconnected.
• Homes with a fuel-burning appliance (gas furnace or boiler, gas water heater) and/or an attached garage must have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in each bedroom or in the hallway or living space within 5m (16 ft) of bedroom door(s).
• All bedrooms require either a door leading directly outside or an exit window.
• Stairs must have a guard or wall on each side and a handrail between 865mm (34 inches) and 1070mm(42 inches) above the stairs.
• Every bathroom requires an exhaust fan vented to the exterior of the house, or a heat recovery ventilation system.
• All heating appliances must have 600mm (24 inches) clear space in front and electrical panels for servicing must have 1 metre (40 inches) clear space in front.
• If an additional kitchen or wet bar is proposed, a main floor plan showing stairs and doorways is required with your application.
  

Homes built with permits applied for after October 31, 2016 are required to be renovated in accordance with Alberta Building Code Section 9.36 for Energy Efficiency.

Homes built with permits applied for up to October 31, 2016, are not required to meet Alberta Building Code Section 9.36, however, all proposed construction materials and mechanical components must perform at least as well as the existing construction.

Home owners and contractors each have responsibilities for safety on the work site as well as the safety of the public near the site.

Alberta Fire Code requirements for construction sites can be found on the Fire Safety Planning website.

Application Requirements

For Interior Renovations

Interior renovations are any changes to the inside of a home including:

• Building or finishing a living room, bedroom, or bathroom
• Finishing a basement

Projects involving interior renovations require a floor plan and may require engineer stamped drawings.

A detailed floor plan of the renovation proposal is required to make sure the application follows the zoning bylaw and building code requirements.

The floor plan of proposed renovation must include:

• Property address
• The layout of the renovation area includes stairs, doors, and windows.
• Room labels (such as bedroom, bathroom, living room, storage)
• Bedroom window labels including dimensions and window style (for example, awning windows, sliders, basement hopper windows).
• The layout of the existing room (Required if you are adding, removing, or changing the walls)

If there are changes to the structure of the house (beams, posts supporting beams, load-bearing walls, floors, wall opening enlargement or new openings in foundation walls), engineer stamped drawings are required.

For Exterior Renovations

Exterior renovations are changes to the outside of home:

• Adding/changing the size of windows or doors
• Changing the exterior finish materials of a house

Exterior renovations require a site plan and elevation drawings in addition to the floor plans.

A site plan must include:

• A north arrow
• Property address
• Corresponding streets and avenues
• Dimensions of property lines Location, measurements, and setbacks of proposed and existing buildings and structures
• Identify applicable caveats, covenants, easements

Drawing Tips:

• Drawn on a real property report, plot plan, or graph paper.
• Metres or feet/inches are accepted. Please use units consistently.

Elevation drawings must:

• Show existing exterior walls and proposed alterations, including any windows and doors, and their dimensions.
• Specify finishing materials for walls (such as brick, stucco), roof (for example, asphalt shingle, concrete tile), fascia, soffit
• Provide dimensions of:
  • grade to top of finished main floor
  • top of the finished main floor to the eave
  • eave to roof ridge (highest point)
  • see the Zoning Bylaw for definitions and diagrams

  Projects involving exterior renovations where windows and doors are being added, removed or changed require a floor plan in addition to the site plan and elevation drawings.

  Note: Floor plans are not required if you are not changing windows and doors on the exterior of your home.

  See floor plan requirements under the Interior section above.
  

  If your property is located in the Mature Neighbourhood Overlay and your project includes adding or changing a window in a side yard, a window location plan is required.

  To determine if your property is located in the Mature Neighbourhood Overlay:

  • Enter your property’s address at maps.edmonton.ca
  • In the general tab, scroll down to find the overlay section.
  • Need help? See the Zoning and Overlay Guide

  The window location plan must show locations and measurements of existing and proposed windows for your property and your adjacent neighbour’s property.

  Submit Your Application

  Most projects require a development permit and a building permit. City staff will determine which permits and fees apply.

  Starting work without permit(s) is subject to penalties.

  Each application is unique. Typical applications involve the following fees:

  Fixed Price Application Fees-2024 Effective January 1, 2024
  Permit Type	Permit Fee	Safety Codes Fee	Total
  Development Permit	NA	-	NA
  Gas Permit	$115	$4.60	$119.60
  Plumbing Permit	$115	$4.60	$119.60
  Heating, Cooling or Ventilation (HVAC) Permit	$115	$4.60	$119.60

  Building Permit Fee 2024 fees effective January 1, 2024
  Construction Value	Building Permit Fee	Safety Code Fee	Total
  $0 - $10,000	$115	$4.60	$119.60
  $10,001 - $50,000	$370	$14.80	$384.80
  $50,001 - $100,000	$1035	$41.40	$1,076.40
  Over $100,000	$2015	$80.60	$2095.60

  Electrical Permit Fee-2024
  Effective January 1, 2024

  
  (1) Calculated as 4% of the permit fee with a minimum of $4.50 and a maximum of $560

  Construction Value: total cost of materials and services.

  Construction Value does not include: landscaping, parking lots, sidewalks, furnishings, appliances, interior window coverings, temporary service connections, insurance or bonding, interim financing, permit fees, professional consulting fees, or GST.

  See the 2024 Residential Permits and Fees (effective January 1, 2024) for more information.

  Additional fees may apply.
  There are several ways to make a payment.

  Interior Renovations:

  • Floor Plan — showing the proposed layout

  Additional documents required for specific cases:

  • Floor Plan — showing the existing layout (for adding/changing the walls)
  • Engineer-stamped Drawings (for making changes to the structural components)
  • Main Floor Plan (for adding a kitchen or wet bar)

  Exterior Renovations:

  • Site Plan
  • Elevation Drawings
  • Floor Plan — showing the proposed layout (for adding/changing the exterior windows and doors)

  Additional documents required for specific cases:

  • Window Location Plan (For adding/changing windows in the side yard and your house is located in the Mature Neighbourhood Overlay)

  File Instructions:

  • Name files to describe contents and project address (Example: “Site Plan - 321 45 Street NW")
  • One combined file or multiple files are accepted
  • Ensure the project address is included within every file

  To apply in person complete the following documents and visit the Edmonton Service Centre located in the Edmonton Tower Building. There are several ways to make a payment.

  Required For All Applications:

  Interior Renovations:

  • Floor Plan — showing the proposed layout

  Additional documents required for specific cases:

  • Floor Plan — showing the existing layout (for adding/changing the walls)
  • Engineer-stamped Drawings (for making changes to the structural components)
  • Main Floor Plan (for adding a kitchen or wet bar)

  Exterior Renovations:

  • Site Plan
  • Elevation Drawings
  • Floor Plan — showing the proposed layout (for adding/changing the exterior windows and doors)

  Additional documents required for specific cases:

  • Window Location Plan (For adding/changing windows in the side yard and your house is located in the Mature Neighbourhood Overlay)

  File Instructions:

  • Ensure the project address is included on every file