Changes to Existing Buildings and Sites

For interior and exterior alterations, renovations, additions, tenant space improvements, selective or partial demolitions, changes to business activities (change of use) and/or site changes to non-residential (commercial, industrial, institutional and similar structures) buildings.

This also applies to changes to large-scale residential (apartments, row houses with five or more units), and mixed-use (mix of residential and non-residential) buildings.

Do I Need A Permit?

Permits are required for:

Changes in activity in a space

Change to the business activity or change of use, such as:
- From retail to restaurant
- From residential to office
- From office to residential
- Adding residential units
Change in intensity of business activity, such as increasing the number of seats in a restaurant

Construction

First tenant in a new shell building
Renovating a condominium
Adding exterior balconies to an apartment building
Change to exterior doors, windows, walls and roofs
Change to the interior, such as walls, washrooms, stairs and mezzanines
Change to building systems: heating and ventilating, plumbing, gas, and electrical systems
Change to life safety systems such as fire alarm, sprinkler, standpipe

Equipment

Installation, alteration or upgrade of equipment affecting the building, such as:

Storage racking
Commercial cooking equipment
Vehicle repair equipment such as paint spray booths or hoists
Charging/fuelling of forklifts

Changes to the existing site

Change to site access
Change to existing site layouts, such as to landscape islands or parking aisles
Change to the parking lot, sidewalk or line striping affecting accessible parking stalls

Permits are not required for:

Cosmetic interior changes such as painting, changing flooring, or cabinetry
Re-roofing or re-siding with materials of a similar type and assembly

Required Documents	Application Guidance
Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Plans and Specifications	Engineer-authenticated drawings are required for structure changes, such as support for rooftop units (RTUs) or make-up air units (MUAs), new mezzanine, stairs, handrails and guards, and other alterations
Mechanical Plans and Specifications	HVAC information: detail and locations of the general ventilation system (such as rooftop units (RTUs) and make-up air units (MUAs), ducts, supply diffusers, return air grilles) Note whether equipment is new or existing Any specialized process equipment or areas governed under Safety Codes such as NFPA33-compliant spray applications showing detail/locations of exhaust fans, including capacity, controls, ducts, terminations Hot water supply design: location and details of tank type, capacity, location, venting, installation Piping design: pipe types, floor drain locations, grease interceptors, fixtures, faucets, and related specifications
Electrical Plans and Specifications	Lighting and power plan design: fire alarm devices such as fire detectors, manual stations, bell/strobe signals, and other information as part of the building-wide alarm system Emergency lighting and exit sign location
Sections and Details	Sections and details may be required where they help determine if the work meets the requirements. A section is a view of a building that shows the structure sliced along an imaginary plane. They clarify building height, headroom heights, floor to floor heights, the building structure Details are close-up views of parts of the building.
Energy Code Documents	Required for alterations if the original building permit was issued after October 31, 2016; National Building Code (Alberta Edition), Section 9.36 or NECB as applicable. See more in Energy Code Requirements
Professional Schedules	The requirement for stamped drawings and schedules for National Building Code (Alberta Edition) depends on the project size and complexity. See more in Professional Involvement Standards Schedules of Professional Involvement Forms
Fire Safety Documents	For all renovations and selective interior demolition, use Construction Fire Safety Plan for Renovations
Variance/Alternative Solution Request	Variance/Alternative Solutions Request is a means to request permission for an installation, process, equipment, or action that is not strictly consistent with code rules of Division B of the National Building Code (Alberta Edition), but that provides, in the opinion of the Safety Codes Officer processing the request, at least the minimum or greater level of safety than the code rule.

Required Document	Application Guidance
Elevation Plans	For exterior changes including new cladding, doors and windows Elevation Plan Standard
Sections and Details	Sections and details may be required where they help determine if the work meets the requirements. A section is a view of a building that shows the structure sliced along an imaginary plane. They may clarify building height, headroom heights, floor to floor heights, the building structure Details are close-up views of parts of the building.
Energy Code Documents	Required for alterations if the original building permit was issued after October 31, 2016; National Building Code (Alberta Edition): Section 9.36 or National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) as applicable. See more in Energy Code Requirements.
Fire Safety Documents	A completed fire safety plan is required at the time of commercial building permit application. For exterior alterations use the Construction Fire Safety Plan For Major Projects

Required Document	Application Guidance
Survey Plan	Prepared by a registered Alberta land surveyor. Survey Plan Standards
Certificate of Title	Must be current (dated within the previous 3 months). Alberta Land Titles
Lot Grading Plan	See Lot Grading for more information and examples.
Landscaping Plan	See Landscaping for more information and examples.
Building Plans	Building permit plan standards are generally more stringent than development permit standards. Minimum Submission Guidelines 3.8 Accessibility Guide Application for Barrier-Free Relaxation Variance/Alternative Solutions Request
Elevation Plans	For exterior changes including new cladding, doors and windows Elevation Plan Standard
Sections and Details	Sections and details sufficient to determine if the work meets the requirements. A section is a view of a building that shows the structure sliced along an imaginary plane. They clarify building height, headroom heights, floor to floor heights, the building structure Details are close-up views of parts of the building.
Energy Code Documents	Required for additions if the original building permit was issued after October 31, 2016. Additions are subject to National Building Code (Alberta Edition); Section 9.36 (any size) or National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB)(minimum 10 sq m). See more in Energy Code Requirements
Professional Schedules	The requirement for stamped drawings and schedules for National Building Code (Alberta Edition) depends on the project size and complexity. See more in Professional Involvement Standards Schedules of Professional Involvement Forms
Fire Safety Documents	A completed fire safety plan is required at the time of commercial building permit application. For additions use the Construction Fire Safety Plan For Major Projects
Geotechnical Report	Prepared by a registered engineering professional
New Home Warranty	Required for new dwellings that will be sold New Home Buyer Protection Act

Required Document	Application Guidance
Site Plan	See requirements for Site Plan. For changes made to the waste storage area or access to multi-unit housing developments, see the design guidelines for more information.
Survey	Prepared by a registered Alberta land surveyor.
Lot Grading Plan	See Lot Grading for more information and examples.
Landscaping Plan	See Landscaping for more information and examples.

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Changes to Existing Buildings and Sites

Do I Need A Permit?

Permits are required for:

Permits are not required for:

Which Permits Do I Need?

Typical Project Process

Tips for Planning Your Project

Preparing Your Application

Application Requirements for Alterations and/or Change of Use

Additional Application Requirements for Exterior Alterations, Additions and Site Changes

Submitting Your Application

After You Apply

Processing Times

Building Permit Queue Times

More Information Requests

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help?

For General Questions