Interior and Exterior Renovations

Are you renovating or developing unfinished or partially finished areas of your home? Find information about permits and inspections you'll need here.

Basement Developments

Finishing your basement? Whether it's to be enjoyed by your family, or you would like to develop it into a House Suite, see what permits and information you need to know before you begin.

Design considerations for all Basement Developments:

  • bedroom windows must meet egress:
    • easy to open
    • unobstructed
    • at least 540 square inches of openable space, with no dimension less than 15 inches (width or height).
    • 30 inch clearance in front of bedroom egress windows in a window well
  • the furnace room must be separated from the rest of the floor area, with a door 32 inches wide
  • continuous handrails are to be installed for all flights of stairs
  • stair rise to be consistent through the flight of stairs with no rise exceeding 7 7/8 inches
  • hard wired and interconnected smoke alarms are to be installed in every bedroom
  • hard wired and interconnected smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detectors are to be installed within 16 feet 5 inches of every bedroom and on each level

Required Permits

You will need a Development Permit if you are:

  • Installing a below-grade (walk-out) entrance
  • Developing your basement for a House Suite

You will need a Building Permit whether you're finishing your basement for your family's use or as a House Suite.

Interior Renovations

If you're adding, moving, or removing walls within your home, or updating your kitchen layout, find out what permits you need for your renovation.

Required Permits

You will not need a Development Permit for any interior project. 

You will require a Building Permit for all interior projects.

No Permits are required for...

  • painting walls
  • replacing flooring
  • replacing countertops
  • changing interior door sizes or locations
Exterior Renovations

Looking to spruce up the look of your house? Here are the permit requirements for some of the more common projects:

You will need a Development Permit if you are:

  • changing the pitch of your roof (from flat to a peak)
  • adding a new below-grade entrance

You will need a Building Permit if you are:

  • changing the pitch of your roof
  • changing/adding window sizes or locations, or
  • changing/adding door sizes or locations

You don't need a permit to:

  • replace shingles or siding
  • paint the exterior of your house

Explanation of Permits

Learn about the different criteria that we review before issuing a Development Permit and a Building Permit. 

Development Permit

If your project requires a Development Permit, it is to ensure that the project you are proposing complies with the Zoning Bylaw in regards to placement, size and height. 

Can I build larger than what the bylaw allows?

You can request a variance to any Zoning 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.

Due to legislated timelines set out in the Municipal Government Act (MGA) , Development Officers have 20 days from the receipt of an application to deem it complete or incomplete. Failure to submit a complete application will lead to delays in the approval and issuance of your permit.

In most cases, it will take 5-7 business days for review and decision once an application is deemed complete. Depending on the size or location of the proposed building, consultation with neighbouring landowners may be required. If this is the case for your build, the timeline for review is extended by approximately three weeks.

If your project requires a variance to regulations in the Zoning Bylaw, there is a 21-day appeal period which must be advertised 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.

Building Permit

A Building Permit is required to review the safety components of completing renovations, whether interior or exterior, ensuring it is constructed correctly and is safe for you to use.

How long does it take to process?

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. 

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.

What are the fees?

The fees are subject to change each year at May 1 to be in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Please refer to Schedule A for current fees:  Safety Codes Fee Schedule (pdf)

The Safety Codes Permit Bylaw 3551.2015.pdf will have information pertaining to a Building Permit for your project type.

Permit Application Process

Review the requirements for each step of the permit application process, from preparing your documents to starting construction.

Who can apply?

A homeowner or licensed contractor can submit permit applications. If you are not the owner of the property, you will need to include a Letter of Authorization with the application package.

If you are a contractor requiring a City of Red Deer Business Licence, please visit our Licensing page before submitting your permit application(s).

How do I apply?
Watch a video tutorial of the application process

Applications can be submitted through the City's online portal: MyPermits 
Watch a step-by-step video guide of the application process. 

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Before submitting your permit applications, prepare digital copies of the required plans and documents for your submission.
TIP: Match the name of your plans and documents to those on the requirement list(s).

Review the respective requirements list and forms for each permit.

Development Permit

Building Permit

Step 2: Submit your applications

Following the instructions below, use MyPermits and ProjectDox to submit the applicable permit applications for your project.  

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

Step 1: Enter permit and project information through MyPermits, by clicking the tile below.
(This step will be completed TWICE if both permit types are required for your project; 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 required documents to ProjectDox, The City's online plan submission system.

  • An instructional email will be sent with each permit application (Development and Building)
  • Emails may end up in your junk/spam mail folder. Please add @reddeer.ca as an allowable sender to make sure you are receiving our emails.

Step 3: After you've have submitted your permit applications, keep an eye on your email. Notifications will be sent as your permits progress through their respective reviews. 

link to the MyPermits site
Step 3: Processing your applications

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 the Safety Codes Act, respectively.

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

  • If we need more information;
  • When payment is required;
  • When the permit is issued.
Step 4: Subtrades permits

You will need additional permits to put in lights and outlets, heat and plumbing.

  • Electrical - for wiring outlets and lights or sub-panel
  • Heating - for heating devices, such as a wood stove (solid fuel appliance)
  • Gas - for gas appliances, such as a unit heater, radiant heater, furnace or a boiler
  • Plumbing - for floor drains, sinks, showers, wash stations, etc.

Who can apply?

Homeowners:

The City of Red Deer allows homeowners to obtain permits; however, if you have no previous knowledge or experience with these installations, you should engage the services of a licensed contractor to apply for the required permits and complete the work.

There are a few exceptions:

  • Gas permits may only be obtained by a licensed gasfitter
  • Heating permits may only be obtained by a licensed heating contractor
  • Homeowners cannot obtain an Electrical Permit for the following work:
    • hot tubs or pools
    • main service or panel changes
    • duplex, townhouse or any unit with a shared wall
    • secondary suites
    • solar panels
    • rental properties
    • electrical car charging stations.

Contractors:

Contractors applying for permits require a valid City of Red Deer Business Licence. Please visit our Licensing page should you require a new or renewed licence prior to applying for your permit.

How do I apply?

Homeowners and contractors can apply online using MyPermits, or submit an application form via email to inspections@reddeer.ca. 

Step 5: Site inspections

What inspections will I need?

The required inspections will be 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.

If you've obtained any sub-trade permits, you may need two inspections during the course of the respective permit. 

  1. A rough-in inspection before concealing any work
  2. A final inspection once everything is complete

If you obtain multiple sub-trades permits, these inspections will apply to each permit type.

When can I schedule an inspection?

Once your Safety Codes Building Permit has been approved and issued, you will receive an email with instructions of 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.

Questions?

Email: inspections@reddeer.ca 
Phone: 403-342-8190
In person: Main floor of City Hall, 4914 48 Avenue

City Hall is open between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and statutory holidays.