Do you need permission to renovate your home?

When you're planning home renovations in Calgary, understanding whether you need a permit is critical to ensuring legality, safety, and compliance with local building codes. Building permits are crucial because they ensure that all renovations comply with safety laws under Alberta's safety code system. They provide access to expert advice to prevent costly mistakes and ensure that all changes comply with current building codes.

The City of Calgary has modernized its permit application process, allowing residents and contractors to apply for building permits online. This transition to an online system simplifies the process, making it more accessible and convenient for homeowners, builders, and developers. Whether you are planning a home renovation or building a new structure, understanding how to navigate the online permit system is crucial to ensuring compliance with city regulations.

Types of Permits for Home Renovations

Building Permit

A building permit is required for any renovation that changes the structure of your home, such as removing walls, adding rooms, or changing the building's outline. Basement development or other interior home renovations (such as renovating the main floor) require a building permit if:

  • The basement is being developed for the first time
  • You are making structural changes, such as moving or removing walls on any floor of the house
  • You are creating new openings in interior or exterior walls (new or relocated windows, new doors)
  • Exterior renovations that do not add new square footage or structures

Typically, interior renovations and alterations to existing basements do NOT require a permit when the work consists of minor cosmetic improvements, including finishes, painting, and furnishings.

Electrical Permit

An electrical permit is required for major electrical changes, including the installation of new circuits or major wiring upgrades. An electrical permit is required when wiring a new home or changing any existing electrical branch circuit. A thorough electrical inspection should include:

  • Identification of potential electrical hazards
  • Ensuring all codes are compliant
  • Ensuring GFCI outlets are properly wired
  • Testing fire and carbon monoxide alarms
  • Testing safety switches and electric meter

Plumbing Permit

A plumbing permit is required when changing your home's plumbing system, including pipe changes or bathroom renovations that alter existing plumbing. A plumbing permit is required when a plumbing system is being built, expanded, altered, or if water and sewer lines in or around your home are being replaced.

Gas Permit

A gas permit is required when installing new gas lines or making significant changes to your gas system. A gas permit is required when installing, modifying, or adding to a gas system.

Projects requiring permits

Structural changes

A building permit is often required when renovations alter the structure of a home through projects such as adding or removing walls, adding a floor or an addition, and even creating new windows or enlarging existing ones. If your renovation project goes beyond the “Contextual” guidelines according to the City of Calgary, you will need a development permit.

Additions and extensions

If you are planning to build an addition to your home, this will always require at least a building permit. The City of Calgary defines an addition as any covered structure that increases the floor area of your home, including everything from an attached garage and sunroom to a covered deck or porch.

A development permit may also be required to ensure that your addition complies with the land use regulations for your area:

  • The building cannot be located in a flood zone, flood edge, or flood overflow area
  • It cannot be on the Inventory of Valued Historic Resources
  • If the extension is on the upper floor, it cannot exceed the existing roof height and be less than 10 square meters
  • If the extension is on the main floor and less than 40 square meters, it must still fall within the permitted setbacks

External structures

Garages, sheds, gazebos, and greenhouses that are separate from your home are considered accessory dwellings in Calgary's land use legislation and require building permits if they are larger than 10 square meters. If they are attached to your home, they are considered additions.

Projects that do not require a permit

Cosmetic updates

Interior home repairs and alterations to existing spaces do not usually require a permit when the work consists of minor cosmetic improvements. Projects that do not usually require permits include:

  • Interior painting or decorating
  • Installing new flooring over existing surfaces
  • Updating cabinets or countertops without structural changes
  • Replacing non-structural plumbing fixtures in the bathroom

Replacement of existing elements

Permits are not usually required if you are simply replacing what you already have. Thus, remodeling, covering, replacing windows and doors of the same size, painting, repainting floors, and new cabinets should not require a city permit.

The permit process

Online applications

We've taken the hassle out of applying for our most popular home improvement permits by offering homeowners the ability to apply for these services from the comfort of their own homes. Customers will be able to apply, upload documents, and pay for their permit in a few simple steps, and in most cases, receive their permit within one business day.

Calgary residents can learn about, apply for, and pay for our most popular home improvement projects at calgary.ca/myhome, including:

  • Basements and interior renovations
  • Garages, sheds, greenhouses
  • Decks (non-perched)
  • Plumbing or electrical permits for homeowners

Required documents and information

To obtain a building permit in Calgary, you must apply to your local municipal permitting department. Costs and processing times will vary. Not sure if your project requires a permit? Contact your local building permit office with a description of your project; the office will likely ask for design drawings to determine if you need a permit.

When applying for a Calgary development permit, a development permit topographical survey, also known as a DP survey, is usually required. At this stage, it is highly recommended that you work in cooperation with a land surveying company, your local municipality, and your architect to find out what needs to be included in the development permit topographic survey.

Permit costs

Basic fees

Although specific rates for Calgary in 2025 have not been published in detail in search results, base fees for permits vary depending on the type and scope of work. A development permit can take three months to obtain and cost over $15,000 depending on the scope of work.

Additional fees

The cost of a building permit depends on the scope and size of your project. The City of Calgary's online system allows users to calculate and pay fees through a secure payment gateway. This eliminates the need for paper payments, speeding up the process.

Consequences of working without a permit

Fines and penalties

Delays and additional costs are the immediate consequences of violating the building code, along with the possibility of significant fines and even imprisonment. Fines can be imposed of up to $100,000 per offense, with imprisonment of up to one year if found guilty.

According to the City of Calgary's penalty schedule:

  • Occupying or beginning use prior to obtaining a DCP: $1,500-$3,000
  • Failure to obtain a development permit: $1,500-$3,000
  • Failure to comply with a development permit/permit conditions: $1,500-$3,000

Safety risks

Without a valid permit, you may face fines, project delays, or problems when selling your property. In addition, work that does not meet requirements can pose serious safety risks. Therefore, applying for and obtaining a permit is an important first step before starting your project.

Resale issues

An inspector may stop work they deem illegal, which is another complicated issue to resolve. Working without permits can also complicate the future sale of your property, as potential buyers and mortgage lenders often require proof that all work was done legally.

Special considerations and exceptions

Zoning regulations

Calgary's zoning regulations are important for the city to function. They maintain the aesthetic integrity of residential neighborhoods throughout the city and divide Calgary into residential, commercial, and industrial zones, among others. They can also affect homeowners considering home improvements in Calgary, as they determine what type of improvements are allowed.

Historic and conservation areas

If your property is located in a historic or conservation area, additional restrictions and permit requirements may apply. The building cannot be on the Inventory of Valued Historic Resources.

Who is responsible for obtaining a permit

Homeowner responsibility

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate permits. This means before you start the project. A professional contractor may be able to obtain the necessary permits and arrange for the appropriate inspections on your behalf. Be sure to discuss this with your qualified repair contractor.

The role of the contractor

Although the homeowner is legally responsible for following this process, contractors should include documentation in their proposals. Even consider adding this responsibility to the contract!

Inspections and compliance

The inspection process

Scheduled inspections and on-site inspections are provided to ensure the safety of all Calgarians. Other trade permits for electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical work may be required. Each trade follows its own set of codes, and the work must be performed by a licensed tradesperson.

Timeframe for approval

Submitted applications are typically reviewed within 20 days, and the City of Calgary file manager will contact you if you need to submit additional information or documentation. Your application may also require a bylaw review, where it will be cross-checked against the land use bylaw rules by a specialized review team.

Tips for a successful permit application

Preparing your documentation

Before submitting your application, it is important to carefully review the building codes and regulations. Not all projects require a permit, so understanding when you need one can save you time and effort. Also, make sure all your documentation is complete and accurate before submitting.

Avoid common mistakes

Incomplete applications are a common cause of delays in the permitting process. For the best chance of getting your permit approved and avoiding unnecessary delays, it is important to work with a professional land surveying company.

Working with professionals

Working with a custom home designer can be invaluable when navigating land use codes and the permitting process. Our extensive experience in home design and renovation has given us a deep understanding of the process. We can help you bring your home improvement project to life and transform your home while avoiding costly redesigns and delays during the permitting process.

Understanding whether you need a permit for renovations in your Calgary home is critical to ensuring safety, legality, and compliance with local building codes. While cosmetic improvements such as painting, replacing flooring, and updating cabinets typically do not require permits, any structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or gas modifications do require the appropriate permits. The City of Calgary has simplified the process through online applications, making obtaining permits more accessible and efficient. Remember that as a homeowner, you are responsible for ensuring that you obtain the necessary permits before beginning any work, and the consequences of working without permits can be severe, including fines of up to $100,000 and potential safety issues. Consulting with qualified contractors and professionals can help you navigate the permitting process and ensure that your renovation project meets all necessary requirements.