Regulations

• Can be built up to both the side and rear property lines

Required Permits

• No permits are required for patios. 

Covered Patios

Covered patios and decks are considered part of the footprint of your house. For most properties, the total site coverage of all buildings on the lot can range from 40-45 per cent. You can find the maximum site coverage for your zone in The City's Zoning Bylaw 3357/2024 - Part 6 - Residential Zones (pdf).

Depending on the type of cover you plan to build over your patio, the following permits will be needed:

• Open aired roof, such as a pergola, will not require a Development Permit, but will require a Building Permit if it is attached to the house
• Solid roof, will need both a Development Permit and a Building Permit

Any type of cover on a ground level patio may project one half of the minimum side yard requirement for the zone. Typically, it must be a minimum of 0.75m (2'5") from any property line.

Regulations

Sideyard Setbacks

• Minimum distance from a side property line can range from 0.35m (1'2") to 0.6m (2') depending on the zoning of your property. Use the 'Zoning Bylaw Districts' theme on the Interactive City Map to find your zone. 
• A deck on a duplex or townhouse can go up to the shared property line. 

Rearyard Setbacks

• Minimum distance from a rear property line is 4.5m (14'7")

Required Permits

• A Development Permit is only required if a variance to the bylaw is requested
  (example to be 4.0m from rear property line, rather than the required 4.5m)

Covered Decks

Covered decks are considered part of the footprint of your house. For most properties, the total site coverage of all buildings on the lot can range from 40-45 percent. You can find the maximum site coverage for your zone in The City's Zoning Bylaw.

Depending on the type of cover you plan to build over your deck, the following permits will be needed:

• Open aired roof, such as a pergola, will not require a Development Permit, but will require a Building Permit if it is attached to the house
• Solid roof, will need both a Development Permit and a Building Permit

Any type of cover on a ground level patio may project one half of the minimum side yard requirement for the zone. Typically, it must be a minimum of 0.75m (2'5") from any property line.

Regulations

Sideyard Setbacks

• The minimum distance from a side property line can range from 1.25m (4') to 1.5m (5'), depending on the zoning of your property. Use the 'Zoning Bylaw Districts' theme on the Interactive City Map to find your zone. 
• A deck on a duplex can be built to the shared property line

Rearyard Setbacks

• The minimum distance from a rear property line is 4.5m (14'7")

Required Permits

• A Building Permit
• A Development Permit is only required if a variance to the bylaw is requested
  (example to be 4.0m from rear property line, rather than the required 4.5m)

Covered Decks

Covered decks are considered part of the footprint of your house. For most properties, the total site coverage of all buildings on the lot can range from 40-45 percent. You can find the maximum site coverage for your zone in The City's Zoning Bylaw.

Depending on the type of cover you plan to build over your deck, the following permits will be needed:

• Open aired roof, such as a pergola, will not require a Development Permit, but will require a Building Permit if it is attached to the house
• Solid roof, will need both a Development Permit and a Building Permit

Any type of cover on a ground level patio may project one half of the minimum side yard requirement for the zone. Typically, it must be a minimum of 0.75m (2'5") from any property line.

A Development Permit is required to ensure that the structure you are proposing to build on your property complies with the Land Use Bylaw regulations, particularly regarding the placement. 

Can I build closer to the property line than what the bylaw allows?

You can request a variance to any of the Land Use Bylaw regulations. You will explain why you are asking for the variance, and what makes your site unique that a variance should be considered.

How long does it take to process?

Note: During building season (April 1 - October 31), processing times may take longer, due to the number of applications that are submitted during this time.

In most cases, it will take 5-7 business days for review. As a Development Permit is only required when a variance is requested, there is a 21-day appeal period before the permit can be issued, if approved.

What are the fees?

Please refer to 'Schedule A' of the Development Permit Fee Bylaw to find the fees associated with the Development Permit.

A Building Permit is required to review the safety components of building a deck, ensuring it is constructed in accordance with the National Building Code, Alberta edition, and is safe for you to use.

How long does it take to process?

Note: During building season (April 1 - October 31), processing times may take longer, due to the number of applications that are submitted during this time.

In most cases, it will take 7-10 business days to review and issue. The Building Permit cannot be issued until the Development Permit has been issued, if it applies.

What are the fees?

The fees have recently been updated, please refer to revised Schedule A for current fees:  Safety Codes Fee Schedule April 2024 (pdf)

The Safety Codes Permit Bylaw 3551/2015 (pdf) will have information pertaining to a Building Permit for residential dwellings.

Before submitting your permit applications, you need to prepare all the plan documents and forms that are required for your submission. Review the respective requirements list and forms for each permit.

User Guides

These guides will help you prepare and save your required plan documents to submit during your application process.

• Plan and Document Submission Standards for Permits (pdf)

Development Permit

• Development Permit Application - Deck (pdf)
• Letter of Authorization (pdf)
• Letter of Intent (pdf)

Building Permit

• Building Permit Application - Deck (pdf)
• Letter of Authorization (pdf)
• Letter of Intent (pdf)
• Uncovered Deck Detail Sheet (pdf)

Examples

If you are unsure of anything on the application requirement list, we have provided example applications to help you out.

• Building Permit Application - Deck EXAMPLE (pdf)

How do I apply?

Apply online:

Following the instructions provided, use MyPermits and ProjectDox to submit your Building and Development Permit applications.

Note, each permit and its requirements have to be submitted separately.

Step 1: Enter permit and project information through MyPermits. (you'll be doing this step twice; once for the Development Permit application and again for the Building Permit application)

Step 2: You'll receive an email with instructions on how to upload and submit your permit requirements to ProjectDox, The City's online plan submission system.  

After you've have submitted your permit application, keep an eye on your email. You will receive notifications as your permit progresses through its review. 

Once we receive your complete permit applications, the Development Officer and the Building Safety Codes Officer will conduct a review of the permits, ensuring the proposed development complies with the Zoning Bylaw and Safety Codes Act.

You will receive email notifications throughout the application process, including:

• If we need more information;
• When payment is required;
• When the permit is issued.

Good to know

Emails from The City of Red Deer may end up in your junk or spam mail folder. Please add @reddeer.ca as an allowable sender to make sure you are receiving emails related to your project.

What inspections will I need?

The required inspections are determined when the Safety Codes Officer reviews your application, and will be listed on the Safety Codes Building Permit when it is approved and issued.

When can I schedule an inspection?

Once your Safety Codes Building Permit has been approved and issued, you will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule an inspection.

How do I know the outcome of my inspection(s)?

You will receive an email notification informing you of the outcome of each inspection.