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Demolition is the complete removal of a structure from a site including the removal of any foundations, footings, piles or slabs to a minimum of 0.5 metres below grade. A Development Permit and a Building Permit are required to demolish a building.
Apply for Exterior Alteration Permits for partial building removal, such as tearing off an old attached garage or porch.
Permits are required for demolition projects such as:
A Development Permit and Building Permit for demolition are required for each house, however, all other structures and improvements on that property may be listed on the permits and demolished at the same time.
Heritage Properties: Property listed on the Inventory of Historic Resources in Edmonton will require submission of additional information; see Subsection 7.140.6 Municipal Historic Evaluation of the Zoning Bylaw. All proposed demolitions of buildings on the Inventory are vetted through the Heritage Conservation Unit prior to the issuance of the Development Permit. This process involves contact with City Council to determine if the City will intervene to formally protect the building from demolition. Contact heritageplanners@edmonton.ca for more information.
Development Permit Notification Signs: Notification signs are mandatory for the demolition of residential structures in the RS Zone, except accessory structures (sheds/garages) in the rear yard that are not visible from the street.
Sign installation instructions will be provided to you once a Development Permit approval is granted. See Subsection 7.160.2 of the Zoning Bylaw.
Before starting the demolition a building permit is required to be issued.
Utility Location: Even small excavations can lead to unintended consequences! Click-Before-You-Dig or 1-800-242-3447 provides a no-fee utility line marking service.
Natural Gas Service Line Management: A charged natural gas line struck during demolition may cause inconvenience and/or serious harm to persons and property. Demolition permit issuance follows primary line cutback confirmation, if applicable, by ATCO Gas. Arrangements for disconnect can take time so do not delay contacting them.
Secondary gas lines (like those between a house and detached garage) must be properly managed; these are usually not ATCO property or responsibility. Contact a gasfitter or search ‘Edmonton utility locate service’ for private line location and disconnection.
Asbestos Management: Anyone demolishing a building shall first ensure that any asbestos-containing materials with the potential to release fibres have been dealt with per Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations. OHS provides guidance and administers oversight of asbestos remediation. An Asbestos Project Notification must be submitted to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) where applicable, except for:
Detached garages, carports or accessory structures built entirely of wood, metal or plastic with NO interior wall covering, cavity or attic fill, and NO exterior stucco or brick cladding (attach interior and exterior photos to the application for permit), and
Structures built after 1990
Arrangements for bulk sampling and asbestos removal can take time, so contact a consultant early in the planning process. A demolition permit will not be issued until every structure to be demolished is determined to be clear of asbestos.
Residential Construction Guide: We recommend you review the guide . Considerate construction requires a conscious effort in applying precautionary measures and establishing communication with surrounding residents. Strong communication and construction management should improve relationships with neighbours and the City, reducing risk of fines and "stop work" orders being issued.
Construction Site Management Practices: As outlined in the Construction Site Management Practices Acknowledgement form, builders are responsible for ensuring a safe workplace and following the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code.
Also, if the intention is to continue directly from demolition to excavation for a new foundation (under separate permits for new construction) and site space limitations rule out excavating per OHS requirements, an engineer-designed temporary excavation support system (such as shoring) must be installed to contain the work within the site boundaries if extending the excavation onto an adjacent property is not expressly permitted by that property’s owner. Provide a copy of the engineer-stamped temporary excavation support system (such as shoring) with the related building permit application.
Use of road right-of-way and public land-roadway, boulevard, sidewalk, alley or park lands for your project materials, equipment or temporary curb crossing access may only occur with approval through the Traffic Operations OSCAM office.
As per National Building Code - Alberta Edition, it is the building permit holder’s and property owner’s obligation to ensure measures are in place for the protection of persons on or about the work site. A strongly-constructed fence at least 1.8 metres high must be set up around the site perimeter, with gate(s) locked closed when the site is not active, to secure it, if all debris is not yet cleaned up, or if excavation for new construction follows the demolition and the ground is not roughly levelled so as not to accumulate water.
Fire Safety Plan: We recommend you review Fire Code-mandated Fire Safety Planning For Construction, Renovation and Demolition Sites, and more specifically Small Building Evacuation Plan.
The structure must be highlighted on the aerial photo (Google Maps, Edmonton Maps, and so on) or site plan by an arrow "→" or cross "X".
Online applications contain Asbestos Management and Utilities Disconnect questions.
For In-person applications only, complete, sign and submit the Asbestos Management and Utilities Disconnect form and any applicable supporting documentation.
Review and initial every section, complete, sign and submit the Construction Site Management Practices Acknowledgement form required for any demolition in redeveloping areas.
Each application is unique. Typical demolition applications involve the following fees:
| 2023 Standard Application Fees (effective until December 31, 2023) | |
|---|---|
| Development Permit Fee | $91 |
| Building Permit Fee | $115 |
| Safety Codes Fee | $4.60 |
| Total Permit Fee | $210.60 |
| 2024 Standard Application Fees (effective January 1, 2024) | |
|---|---|
| Development Permit Fee | $100 |
| Building Permit Fee | $115 |
| Safety Codes Fee | $4.60 |
| Total Permit Fee | $219.60 |
Additional fees may apply. See the 2023 Residential Permits and Fees (effective until December 31, 2023) for more information.
Additional fees may apply. See the 2024 Residential Permits and Fees (effective January 1, 2024) for more information.
Requirement:
File Instructions:
To apply in person, complete the following documents and visit the Edmonton Service Centre located in the Edmonton Tower. There are several ways to make a payment.
Required For All Applications:
Required For Redeveloping Neighbourhoods:
File Instructions:
City staff will review your application to ensure your project complies with the Zoning Bylaw and applicable Safety Codes.
Overall application processing times can be found on the development and construction application processing times web page. Applicants can also check the status of their specific application by visiting their project dashboard in SelfServe.
See up-to-date queue times for building permit applications.
City staff may request additional information at various stages of the Development Permit and Building Permit process. To learn how to reply to a more information request in SelfServe, see the More Information Requested (MIR) Guide
Changes and revisions can be submitted at various stages of the process.
To make changes:
Additional charges may apply for revisions.
To cancel your application, email the Cancellation/Refund Request form to the City employee who is handling your application.
Inspections may be requested by visiting the project dashboard in SelfServe or by calling 311 (outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311)
To learn more visit Residential Inspections.
Contact our Development Services team to get help with your project.
Appointments
Book an appointment for general questions about your project and the permit requirements.
Phone
311 (outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311)