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Part of Building and renovating

Permits and Alberta’s Safety Code System

Get a building permit for a project and permit regulations.

Overview

All building, electrical, gas, plumbing, private sewage disposal and petroleum tank projects that fall under the Safety Codes Act, must meet the requirements of the provincial law.

Primary responsibility for safety codes compliance rests with the owner of the building or installation in question.

When a permit is required

The Safety Codes Act requires you have appropriate permit(s) before:

  • selling
  • constructing
  • controlling
  • operating
  • supervising
  • undertaking any process or activity

What permits provide

You can expect the following once you have obtained a permit:

  • access to expert advice before costly mistakes are made
  • record of having done your due diligence to comply with the codes and standards
  • informs the jurisdiction with the responsibility for administering the Safety Codes Act that the project is taking place
  • additional oversight at the early stages of a project through services such as plans or design review
  • an inspection by a trained and certified safety codes officer

Where to get a permit

Permits are available through municipalities that are accredited to administer the Safety Codes Act, and agencies that provide inspection services on behalf of the province in non-accredited municipalities. To find more information on where to get a permit, visit the permitting section on the Safety Code Council website.

Administering services

Alberta’s safety codes system relies on municipalities or agencies to administer and/or provide services under the Safety Codes Act.

Accredited municipalities and regional services commissions provide services directly to Albertans or contract services to inspection agencies.

An accredited agency provides services in non-accredited areas of the province under the oversight of the Alberta Safety Codes Authority (ASCA), which is a division of the Safety Codes Council.

For more information about permits, visit the Safety Codes Council website.

Contact

Connect with Municipal Affairs:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-644-1010 (within Canada and the United States)
Toll free: 1-866-421-6929 (within Canada)
Email: [email protected]