Building Permits

Building Permits

Building Permits are required to construct a new building or structure, or to demolish or relocate, repair, alter, or make additions to an existing building. 

Read the Building Permit bylaw 

New Online Application Portal – NEW

The Town of Canmore has launched a new online permit portal for select Development and Building Permit applications.

The new portal allows you to:

  • Submit select development and building permits online and check the status of your applications.
  • Manage multiple applications with access to letters, plans, and other important documents issued from the Town of Canmore – all in one place.
  • Ensure that you submit complete applications using the step-by-step process so we can process your application faster.
  • Pay for services online and access invoices and generate automatic payment receipts.

We are taking a phased approach to launching the online portal. The first phase of the launch includes the following new construction applications:

  • New Detached Dwellings Development and Building Permits
  • New Non-Residential Development and Building Permits (commercial, industrial, institutional, and mixed-use residential/commercial)

The above application types must be submitted using the portal. All other permits and development applications will continue to be submitted by email at planning@canmore.ca. For all permit requirements, review all Building Permit requirements below.

For questions or concerns, contact us.

*NEW* Projects with a Development Permit (DP) approval in place will only be reviewed against Building Code-related matters through the Building Permit (BP) process. This process improvement is being implemented as a one-year pilot project to assess how effectively this change streamlines the review process.

Building Permit Process

From the time staff begin reviewing your permit to the time your permit is issued can take up to six weeks. Payment of the fee does not constitute start time.

To ensure efficient review times, we will not accept Building Permit applications for projects which have not obtained any necessary Development Permit approvals prior to applying.  

Step One: Building Permit application submitted via online Portal (for select permits) or via email to planning@canmore.ca.

Step Two: Applicant contacted by Town of Canmore to make permit fee payment

Step Three: Application is reviewed for completeness. Depending on the application type, Planning and Engineering review is conducted.

Step Four: Review of application by the Safety Codes Officer

Step Five: Building Permit issued

Step Six: Applicant arranges for inspections 

Step Seven: Permit Services Report issued to building permit holder

Step Eight: Applicant can apply for an Occupancy Certificate. Once the Occupancy Certificate is issued, the file will be closed.

The Town of Canmore will not accept applications that: 

  • are incomplete (i.e. do not include all of the required documents identified in the applicable requirements list;
  • include documents that are unclear or illegible;
  • are not prepared to professional drafting standards; or 
  • stamped with phrases suggesting inappropriate use, such as “not for construction” or “preliminary.” 

Please do not include personal information on plans. 

Upon review of your application, the Town of Canmore may request additional information.

Forms and Requirements

The following documents and the applicable fee(s) are required for a complete application.

Use one of the application checklists below to help you prepare a complete application submission.

Residential Improvements

Uncovered Deck

Accessory Buildings (Garage, Shed, Carport) 

Residential Addition (Covered Deck, Sunroom, Second Story, Adding Floor Area)

Interior Alterations and Basement Development

Accessory Dwelling Units, Attached (Secondary Suite)

Accessory Dwelling Units, Detached (Garden Suite)

Solar Panels

Wood Burning Fireplace

Hot Tub and Pools

Residential Buildings

New Detached or Duplex Dwelling

New Multi-Unit Residential

New Manufactured Dwelling

Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Buildings

New Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Buildings

Tenant Improvements to Commercial, Institutional, and Industrial Buildings

Tent and Events

Bed and Breakfasts

Partial Foundation

Partial Foundation

Demolition

Demolition Permit - Mobile Home Move

Fences

No permits are required for fences, but they must meet certain height regulations. In both residential and commercial districts, the maximum height of a fence is 1.2m (4') in the front yard, 1.8m (6') in the side and rear yards, and 2.5m (8'2") at the highest point of a gateway. On corner lots, where the height of a fence may affect visibility, the maximum height allowed is 1m (40") within the corner visibility triangle.

Public Guide on Fences

Apply Now

The Town of Canmore requires that applications be submitted digitally.

To submit your building permit for the following application types:

  • Detached Dwelling
  • Commercial, Institutional and Industrial Buildings

*NEW* You must submit all required documents using the online permit portal.

To submit your building permit for ALL other application types:

Email your Building Permit Application Form and the required information outlined in the applicable application requirements list to planning@canmore.ca  

For application submissions that exceed 20MB, email planning@canmore.ca in advance of submitting your application. You will be provided with a file share link to upload your application submission. Please do not submit files using Dropbox.

Online Permit Portal Tips

  • Before you can submit an application online, you must create an online portal account. 
  • We are only processing select application types via the online portal. Review the information above to ensure that you are submit your application  using the right channel. Continue to submit all other applicationsvia email to planning@canmore.ca 
  • You will only be able to see new Portal applications. Any previous or active applications will not be visible online. 
  • Prepare your required documents separated in individual files, as you will be required to upload them individually. 
  • You have 20 mins of inactivity for each section of the online application before it times out. 
  • Save your progress often, as we do not have the ability to retrieve any information that may have been entered prior to timing out.  
  • Check your spam/junk mail for emails from (donotreply – it will include your name, permit number, and further instructions) 
  • Check your Portal account for regular updates. 
  • If applications are submitted via the Portal, all subsequent documents and correspondence will come through the Portal so you have everything you need in one place.
  • All issued documents will be available through the online portal via the “Docs and Images” section of your account. We will not email them to you seperately. 
  • We will not retain any payment related information you use to pay your application fees. It will need to be re-entered for each new application.
  • Payment will be required before your application is submitted for review.  
  • We can only accept payments of up to $150,000. Payments that exceed that amount will require a cheque.  
  • If we don't receive your payment within 7 business days, your application will be cancelled.

If you encounter issues with the Portal, submit an online inquiry. Select CityView Portal Help from the top of the list. 

We know that it takes time to adjust to a new system. That is why we are going slowly with select applications and are here to support you during the transition.We are committed to providing assistance wherever possible in a timely and efficient way. We appreciate your patience as we navigate the implementation of this new system. 

Fee Schedule

Access fee schedule

Additional Information about Permits

Browse the following sections for additional information for permit holders.

Before Starting Construction
  • Post the building permit card conspicuously on the site.
  • The signed and stamped drawings that were returned to you with the building permit card are the drawings that should be used for construction.
  • Only the work identified on those drawings is covered under the building permit.
  • Keep track of the inspections required as part of your building permit and to abide by the conditions of your permit.
  • Please ensure that you and your contractors maintain a safe and tidy construction site.

 

Moving Forward
  • If you do require access to a portion of the road right of way you must first obtain a road right of way usage permit from the Town of Canmore.
  • If you require access over a park or municipal reserve parcel as part of construction you must first obtain permission to cross a public reserve.
  • If you need to work on a Sunday or a statutory holiday, you must first obtain permission to work from the Town of Canmore. Submit this form Request for Permission to Work Sundays and Holidays
  • If you wish to make an amendment to your building permit, please submit the proposed revisions and supporting information electronically through planning@canmore.ca. Please note that additional fees are due if the amendment is submitted after the building permit has been granted. Until such time as the amendment is approved, no work other than that detailed in your existing permit and drawings are permitted.

Development with a Total Construction Value (TCV) of less than $50,000 will have up to one year to complete construction. Development with a TCV of $50,000 or greater will have up to two years to complete construction. 

The Safety Codes Officer may set an expiry date longer than two years to complete a development, if in their opinion the development requires a longer construction period due to the projects size, complexity, or falls tragedy to fire or natural disaster. 

Should you not be able to complete your project by the original expiry date issued with your Building Permit, a one-time 12-month extension can be requested (subject to applicable fees). Should the development not be completed within the 12-month extension period, the applicant will have to re-apply for a new Building Permit and pay the applicable permit fees.

The building permit MUST be posted on site until all work is complete. 

Once the review of an application is approved the following responsibilities apply. These are excerpts from the Town of Canmore's Building Permit Bylaw.

SECTION 11 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PERMIT HOLDER
On the issuance of a Permit, the permit holder must:
(a) comply with the terms and conditions of the Permit; and
(b) undertake the construction, process or activity in accordance with the Act and
applicable codes and standards; and (c) notify the Town:
(i) if the permit holder does not intend to complete the undertaking, or
(ii) if there is a change in ownership from the owner as stated on the Permit
application, (d) ensure that all plans and specifications required to apply for the Permit are available at the construction site at all reasonable times for inspection by a Safety Codes Officer, and
(e) ensure that the Permit is posted, or otherwise identified, at the construction site.

SECTION 12 TERM OF A PERMIT
In the absence of a different term set under Section 10, a permit expires if the undertaking to which it applies
(a) is not commenced within 90 days from the date of issue of the permit, or
(b) is suspended or abandoned for a period of 120 days, or
(c) is in respect of a seasonal use residence and the undertaking is suspended or abandoned for a period of 240 days after the undertaking is started. Despite subsection (1), when the term of a Permit has not expired, the Town may, in writing, and on the request of the Permit holder, extend the permit for an additional fixed period of time that the Town considers appropriate.

SECTION 14. DEVIATION FROM PERMIT CONDITIONS
No person shall deviate or authorize a deviation from a Permit or terms or conditions of a permit without first obtaining the written permission of the Town.

SECTION 15 PERMIT TRANSFER, TERMINATION
If a holder of a Permit relinquishes the holder’s interest or participation in the undertaking governed by the Permit before the undertaking is completed, the Permit or any label or identification number issued as part of a Permit:
(a) is terminated, and
(b) applies only to the part of the undertaking completed before the termination unless the Town authorizes the Permit or label or identification number to be transferred. A Permit is not transferable to any other person unless the transfer is authorized in writing by the Town.

Once the final inspection has been passed and unconditional occupancy granted, the building permit file will be closed by the Town. As part of closing the file, a Permit Services Report (PSR) will be issued to the building permit holder.

PSRs are issued for all files that are closed. Please note that in some cases a PSR will be issued where conditions of a building permit are not complete or the work does not comply. This is done when a building permit expires and there has been no renewal applied for by the applicant. 

The Alberta Building Code requires some homes to use different construction materials and designs to improve fire resistance.

Additional Details about Permits or Other Requests

Browse the following sections for additional information about permits or other requests that may be relevant to you.

An Occupancy Certificate is a required document that is issued by the Town of Canmore, which grants a permit holder the ability to occupy a building. An Occupancy Certificate is required for a building after construction, relocation, partial demolition or after a change of the existing occupancy classification has taken place.

View a detailed process map outlining the various steps to obtaining an Occupancy Certificate.

The Occupancy Certificate process cannot be started until a final inspection of the project has been passed by the Safety Codes Officer. Final inspections can be arranged by contacting Superior Safety Codes Inc. office at 1.888.717.2344, allowing a minimum of 48 hours to book. 

Depending on the scale of development, the requirements to obtain an Occupancy Certificate will differ. 

To initiate the Occupancy Certificate process, please submit the required information to the Planner assigned to your Building Permit application. Only Occupancy Certificate requests that provide all required information will be reviewed. Incomplete submissions will be sent back to the applicant. 

It is important to read and understand your Occupancy Certificate and ensure that any conditions that are listed on it are met by the prescribed date (where applicable). Should the conditions of occupancy not be met by the outlined dates, the occupancy for the building may be revoked and the water turned off. A building permit is still open until all conditions of occupancy are completed. 

Permits are available through municipalities that are accredited to administer the Safety Codes Act, and through agencies who provide inspection services on behalf of the Alberta Safety Codes Authority (ASCA) in unaccredited municipalities. Where to get a Permit: Safety Codes Council

 

Water meter installation requests are managed by the Town of Canmore. If you need to have a water meter installed or removed, please complete the following online Water Meter Installation or Removal Request Form

NOTE: For smaller developments requiring a meter(s) ranging in size from 15-20 mm, requests must be received a minimum of 5 business days in advance. For Larger size water meters, requests must be made up to 4 months in advance. For further information please contact water@canmore.ca .

The Town of Canmore doesn't issue HVAC or mechanical permits, but any Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning work will require the appropriate permits where that work is covered by the Alberta Building Code, Canadian Electrical Code, Alberta Gas Code, or Alberta Plumbing Code. Furnace and heating appliance installations require gas permits, and all wood-burning fireplaces and stoves require a building permit.

An accessory building can be built in any yard except the front yard of a residential property and must maintain the required setbacks. If an accessory building is attached to the house it is subject to the same setback regulations as the principal building.

Dust from demolition activities must be controlled. Dust shall not negatively impact neighboring properties. If there are concerns about dust migrating off site, an appropriate dust suppression system will be required.

Please contact Alberta Health Services Calgary main line at 1.855.943.2288 or contact Environmental Public Health · Alberta Health Services. 

Contact

Contact Us

If you have further questions, please submit them to the Planning & Development Department using the following form.

Submit now