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Planning Permits
Permits
The Safety Codes Act requires that all contractors and homeowners in Alberta obtain permits prior to commencing work on buildings covered by the Alberta Building Code or work governed by the Canadian Electrical Code, the Alberta Gas Code or the Alberta Plumbing Code. Safety Permits differ from Development Permits by addressing only the materials, construction methodology, installation and placement of buildings, facilities, and other structures, and whether they are constructed in a manner that is consistent with Provincial codes and regulations. In essence, the purpose of the safety permit process is to ensure that buildings, and other structures, do not, because of structural faults, or location, pose a danger to the public. Provincial law, therefore, requires that buildings, electrical systems, gas systems, plumbing, etc., be built in conformity with the relevant safety codes.
Development permits, on the other hand, are issued in order to ensure that the proposed development, or use of land, is one that is deemed to be acceptable according to the zoning provisions of the County Land Use Bylaw. Secondly, the development permit process ensures that all applicable development standards such as setbacks, parcel size, etc., are adhered to. Development permits are generally required for most types of development (see County document relating to the development process), as are safety permits. However, there are instances where a development permit is not required, but a safety permit is, and vice versa. If both are required, the development permit must be obtained first.
As of January 1, 2002, Kneehill County is accredited under the Safety Code Council to provide all safety permits. Residents of Kneehill County are required to obtain their permits through the Municipality. IJD Inspection Services is the agency contracted to perform all inspections in the County. After the inspections have been executed, you will be invoiced for the associated fees. If you have any questions relating to this issue, please contact Jenna Frere at (403) 443-5541.
What Types of Developments Require safety Permits
Safety permits are required for the construction, or installation, of electrical, gas, plumbing and private sewage systems, as well as the construction of (or addition to) a building, or a change in the intensity of use of a building, as specified in the Safety Code Act, including: construction, erection or placement of a farm dwelling, mobile home (or an addition or alteration thereto) or an intensive livestock operation. An application for required safety permits must be made, and a development permit issued, prior to a development being commenced. A separate permit form will be issued for each of the following components: building (which includes the foundation, frame, roof, etc.); electrical system; gas and plumbing (one form) and private sewage disposal.
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What types of development require a Building Permit?
- the construction, relocation, alteration, addition, repair or demolition of almost all buildings or parts thereof
- excavation of any land for the erection of a building or part of a building
- installation of any solid fuel burning appliance (e.g.: fireplace/space heater/furnace/boiler)
The Building Permit Process
Where a building permit is required, a form must be completed and the following information provided:
- Floor Plan for each floor level in the building. The plan must show the size and use of all rooms and floor areas, plus the location and size of floor joists, beams, and columns. Floor plans are required with most applications, including those for dwellings, commercial and industrial proposals, etc.
- Site Plan, which shows the size, shape, and position of the proposed building on the parcel, as well as the distance from the building to the property lines and other buildings, sewage system and well.
- Elevation Drawings of each face of the building. Each elevation must show the size and position of all openings (windows and doors) and the finished ground level.
- Cross Section that describes, with dimensions, every part of the building that appears in the cross section, including the foundation.
- Mechanical Information that describes the heating and ventilating systems in the building.
Please note that construction methods that differ from what is prescribed in Part 9 (housing and Small Buildings) of the Alberta Building Code must be designed by a professional engineer licensed to practice in Alberta. Some examples that require professional involvement are:
- Shallow foundations (foundations less than 1.2m. below grade, or less than frost penetration).
- Pile and grade beam foundations.
- Preserved wood foundations.
- Hydro-radiant floor heating systems.
- Timber framing, post and beam and arch-rib construction.
Please obtain building permit form from the County and return it, and other required information, to the County office
The Electrical Permit Process
A permit with respect to an electrical system may be issued to:
- a homeowner for construction of an electrical system on his/her residential premises:
- if the ampacity of the service, or equivalent, does not exceed 100 amperes, and the system voltage does not exceed 300 volts
- if only that person and immediate family members permanently reside or, in the case of a residence under construction, will permanently reside in that residence
- if the construction will not in any way interfere with an electrical system or property belonging to another person, and
- if any assistance is required, it will be provided by family members only working without remuneration;
- a farmer or rancher for construction of an electrical system for his/her own use within any building or structure located on his/her farm or ranch:
- if the ampacity of the service or equivalent does not exceed 100 amperes, and the system voltage does not exceed 300 volts
- if the construction will not in any way interfere with the electrical system or property belonging to another person, and
- if any assistance is required, it will be provided by family members only working without remuneration;
- Please refer to Section 29 of the AB Certification and Permit Regulations to determine who else may be issued a permit.
Electrical inspections are mandatory at “rough-in” stage when work is done by homeowners, and at “completed rough-in” stage when done by contractors.
The Plumbing Permit Process
Permits may be issued to the following individuals:
- a person who holds a trade certificate as a plumber issued under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act or,
- a person to personally carry out the installation of, alteration of, or addition to, any plumbing or private sewage system within residential premises owned and occupied by that person if the carrying out of that installation, alteration or addition does not in any manner interfere with any installation, which is under the control of a supplier or purveyor of water, or for which the supplier or purveyor is responsible or,
- a farmer to personally carry out the installation of, alteration of, or addition to, any plumbing system that is located on his/her farm and that is not intended for public use.
A safety codes officer, prior to issuing a permit for work to be performed in the plumbing discipline, may request the submission of designs for any proposed work.
Plumbing inspections are required at “completed rough-in” stage (prior to covering) and final stage.
The Gas Permit Process
A permit issuer may issue a permit in the gas discipline to:
- a person who holds a trade certificate as a gasfitter issued under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act or,
- a person to personally carry out the installation of, alteration of, or addition to, any gas installation on or within residential premises owned and occupied by that person or,
- a farmer to personally carry out the installation of, alteration of, or addition to, any gas installation that is located on his/her farm and that is not intended for public use,
if the carrying out of that installation, alteration or addition does not, in any manner, interfere with any gas installation, alteration or addition and does not, in any manner, interfere with any gas installation, which is under the control of a supplier or for which a supplier is responsible.
Gas inspections are required at final stage, after the work has been completed.
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