Do I need a permit?
The short answer is: probably yes. Still, building permissions differ depending on the type of project - farm, residential or commercial - the intended use and location of the building. Here’s a quick reference guide.
FARM STRUCTURES
Intensive Livestock Structures such as hog, dairy, and poultry require the following permits:
- Development permit
- Building permits
- Alberta Environment permits
Note: Fully engineered construction drawings are required for permit applications and construction. If your new building will be located next to a primary or secondary highway, then an Alberta Transportation permit may be required. Contact your local Alberta Transportation Office to find out. Note: approval to build may take as long as six months. New approaches or access to your property from municipal or provincial road allowances must be approved by the applicable municipal government.
Farm Operation Buildings such as tool or machine sheds, constructed on farm land to support your operations have the following requirements:
- A development permit may be required from your local municipality, depending on proximity to road allowances/rights-of-way. Contact your local municipality office for more information.
- If your new building will be located next to a primary or secondary highway, then an Alberta Transportation permit may be required. Contact your local Alberta Transportation Office to find out.
Note: approval to build may take as long as six months. New approaches or access to your property from municipal or provincial road allowances must be approved by the applicable municipal government.
- Currently in the province of Alberta, building permits are not required for farm operations support buildings, like a work shed, for example. However, permits for electrical and plumbing work in these buildings is required.
PERSONAL USE ACREAGE OUTBUILDINGS
Buildings constructed on Acreages that are for personal use and do not support a business income have the following permit requirements:
- Development permit from your local municipality
- Building permits from your local Code Authority
The development office of your local municipality can direct you to an approved Code Authority contact. - If your new building will be located next to a primary or secondary highway, then an Alberta Transportation permit may be required. Contact your local Alberta Transportation Office to find out.
Note: Detailed construction drawings will be required to get your permits. In some cases if your Acreage is taxed farm and the building will house livestock or equipment solely to maintain the acreage such as tractor then your Municipality may approve as a farm design structure but this must be obtained in writing. No Building Permit will be required in this case either. New approaches or access to your property from municipal or provincial road allowances must be approved by the applicable municipal government.
COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES
Any structures built in Alberta for the purpose of conducting business, or to house equipment and/or vehicles related to a business operation (other than farming) require the following permits:
- Development permit from your local municipality
- Building permits from your local Code Authority
The development office of your local municipality can direct you to an approved Code Authority contact.
- If your new building will be located next to a primary or secondary highway, then an Alberta Transportation permit may be required. Contact your local Alberta Transportation Office to find out.
Note: Detailed construction drawings will be required to get your permits. In some cases if your Acreage is taxed farm and the building will house livestock or equipment solely to maintain the acreage such as tractor then your Municipality may approve as a farm design structure but this must be obtained in writing. No Building Permit will be required in this case either. New approaches or access to your property from municipal or provincial road allowances must be approved by the applicable municipal government.
