Application Requirements for House Permits
Permit application requirement details for new house projects including Single detached, Semi-detached, Duplex, Backyard Housing and Row Houses.
Applications can be submitted online or mailed to the Edmonton Service Centre. This page lists the minimum submission requirements. Applications missing any required plans, documents and details will not be accepted.
- The current land use regulation is Zoning Bylaw 20001
- Alberta's building code effective 01 May 2024 is the National Building Code-2023 Alberta Edition.
Auto-Review in Developing Areas
The City uses an Auto-Review process for Development Permit applications for Single Detached and Semi-detached houses in developing areas that are zoned Small-Scale Flex Residential Zone (RSF).
How Does it Work?
When applying for eligible projects online at selfserve.edmonton.ca, the interactive application process will enable you to verify a project complies with applicable zoning regulations. Projects that meet the Auto-Review criteria may obtain a Development Permit in as little as 1 day, greatly reducing timelines, especially during peak construction season.
Resources and Education
Applicant Responsibilities
The City uses Auto-Review to assist in the Development Permit application approval process. Applicants complete the application form and confirm the information they have submitted is accurate and complete. The information entered into the application is verified for compliance with the Zoning Bylaw and is used as the basis for the Development Permit decision.
Drawings and plans are still required to be provided with the Development Permit application. The City will audit applications selected at random to confirm the accuracy of the information submitted and compliance with all applicable regulations.
Accurate and complete information is essential. A Development Permit issued on the basis of incorrect information contained in the application is invalid.
A Development Permit may be cancelled if the application for the Development Permit contained a material misrepresentation, if the Development Permit was issued as a result of a material error, and/or if material facts were not disclosed at any time during the application process for the Development Permit.
If the City becomes aware of incorrect, inaccurate, or misleading information provided in the application by the applicant, either knowingly or unknowingly, any issued Development Permit may be deemed invalid from the date of issuance and the City will not be liable for any claims, damages, or costs associated with the Development Permit or application.
Project Eligibility
Most new single and semi-detached house applications in lots zoned small-scale flex residential (RSF) in developing neighbourhoods are eligible for Auto-Review. To qualify, projects must be on registered lots and meet all requirements of the Zoning Bylaw. Ineligible projects include multi-unit housing, lots that are within the top of bank, and reduced setback developments.
For a complete list of eligible and ineligible projects, see the How-to Guide . Applications that do not meet the required criteria will be redirected to a Development Planner for a review and decision. These applications will take more time for a decision to be rendered and will be processed in the order received.
After You Apply
Following submission of the Development Permit application, here is what to expect:
Development Permit is issued - All aspects entered through Auto-Review meet eligibility criteria. A Development Permit is provided within a few minutes by email notification to the applicant and includes a House Design report that lists the details provided in the application.
- Following a successful audit, the Development Permit will be issued.
- If corrections are made to your application submission, City staff will notify you and issue the permit with a copy of the House Design report that includes the revised details.
- If issues are found, a Development Planner will contact you.
As part of the Building Permit processing, further clarification may be sought if omissions are found with the Development Permit application.
Plot Plan
Plot Plan to be prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor with a preferred scale of 1:300.
Note: Minimum scale: 1:500 on legal-size paper
- Municipal address and legal description
- North arrow, scale and date of preparation
- Zoning of the property
- Property lines and property dimensions shown and labeled
- Identification of all streets and alleys (lanes) abutting the subject site
- Easements, rights-of-way and/or restrictive covenants
- Site depth, as measured between the mid-points of the front lot line and the mid-points of the rear lot line
- Site width, as measured from 9.0 metres from the front lot line
- Setbacks from proposed buildings and/or structures dimensioned to all property lines
- Distances between buildings within the site
- Dimensions (closest distance), location and distance to property lines of all existing and proposed structures including air conditioners, cantilevers, eaves, overhangs, unenclosed steps and landings, and all projections
- Dimensions and location of existing and proposed accesses to the site, show driveways and pathways in front yard, curb cuts/site access (all dimensioned from the property line)
- Geodetic elevations of the site, including finished grades, bottom of footings, top of foundation wall, and finished main floor
- Geodetic elevation taken alongside property lines at a distance equal to the front setback where a walkout basement is proposed
- Off-site detail - from the property line to the roadway or alley (within the boulevard) such as existing City-owned trees (include caliper measurements), curb cuts, street furniture, including but not limited to, lights, fire hydrants, signs, mailboxes, above-ground utilities
- For new buildings and additions that are 5.5 metres or greater in height and are 4.5 metres or less from the property line abutting overhead power lines, it is strongly encouraged that the power lines are shown on the plot plan
- Identification of the required landscaping, preserved landscaping and proposed ground cover. Provide number, type, percentage of soft landscaping, and approximate sizes of existing and proposed trees and shrubs.
- Provide technical calculations of site area and site coverage
- Number of parking spaces, providing depth, width, angle and number of spaces
- Identify any buildings that are to be demolished as part of the application
Infill Site Documents
These documents are only required if the proposed development is located in a redeveloping area.
Lot Grading Plans are required for all new house projects including Single detached, Semi-detached, Duplex, Backyard Housing and Row Houses.
Review the Infill Lot Grading Plan Requirement Checklist for a complete list of plan requirements.
Backyard Housing - Lot Grading Plans
- Lot Grading Plans are required for all new Backyard Housing developments and are subject to the Residential Lot Grading Guidelines , Residential Lot Grading Requirement Certificate , inspections and fees.
Lot Grading Plans are not required for Backyard Housing under the following conditions:
- Conversion of the at-grade space of an existing garage, provided the building footprint is not altered.
- Second storey additions to an existing garage, provided the building footprint is not altered.
- Sites that have an approved subdivision grading plan in effect. For these sites, Backyard Housing must be graded in accordance with the approved subdivision grading plan.
More information about Lot Grading requirements are available at Residential Lot Grading.
- Drawings should be min. scale 1:300
- May be included on the site plan for small developments provided the drawings remain clear and uncluttered
- Identify existing and proposed Trees, shrubs, flower beds and groundcover (indicate what is to be added and/or retained)
- Schedule of existing and proposed plant material required (trees and shrubs), indicating the Type (deciduous, coniferous), Sizes (calliper and height), and Species (common and botanical names)
- Surface treatment for all areas; including parking and pathways
- Garbage collection facilities (screening details showing location, dimensions and materials)
- Location and Elevation of any Fencing, Privacy Screening, retaining walls, and garbage enclosure
- Amenity Area/Private Outdoor Amenity Area (Section 5.20 of the Zoning Bylaw)
- Percentage of soft landscaping
What is Low-Impact Development?
Low-Impact Development (LID) is a type of stormwater management facility that incorporates plants, engineered soils and natural processes to capture stormwater runoff close to its source.
Eligibility
Applicants have the option to include LID as part of a new development. Corner infill sites of 3 or 4 units that propose LID and follow the Low-Impact Development Guidelines for Corner Lot Infill Developments are eligible for streamlined EPCOR and City of Edmonton approvals of the facility. The guidelines contain details about standardized designs, plant species recommendations, drawing and submission requirements, construction and maintenance considerations, and soil specifications. If you have questions about LID, contact LIDoutreach@epcor.com.
As part of a Development Permit application that contains an LID facility, the submission package must include a site mechanical plan, stormwater management calculations, a Lot Grading Plan, and Landscaping Plan.
Drawing Details
The following details must appear on both your Lot Grading Plan and Landscaping Plan:
- Type of LID facility
- Total roof size including garage, if applicable
- Location and shape of LID facilities
- Slopes
- Surface area of catchment area for each LID facility
- Flow arrows for roof, eaves, downspouts and overland flow
- Width and length of LID facility
- Individual surface area of LID facilities
- Ponding depth
- Media Layers
- Depth of growing soil media
- Depth of filter layer
- Depth of drainage layer
- Location of inlet
- Location of overflow
- Location of surrounding sewer systems
- Setback distances between LID facility and:
- Neighbouring property lines
- Buildings
- Public right-of-ways
- Percent size of LID facility based on catchment area
- Erosion control and energy dissipation
Vegetation
- Plant identification
- Mature size
- Location of plantings
In addition, based on the design, drawings may require the following:
- Location of geotextile (if applicable)
- Shared swale (if applicable)
- Location of service connection (if required)
- Location and size of underdrain (if required)
Development Permit Notification Sign Requirements
- Elevation Drawing of the structure without markup is required for the notification sign
- Acceptable Formats: PDF, JPG or PNG
- Resolution: minimum 300 DPI
- Sign Size
- Recommended Drawing Size for 24x18 sign to display one image: 12” x 8”
- Recommended Drawing Size for 4’ x 4’ sign to display more than one image and/or a company logo: 24” x 26” (multiple images can be added to this sign, as long as they all fit within the recommended size)
- Contact information of the contractor, Development Permit applicant and/or landowner
The City will create the Development Permit Notification Sign when your permit is issued. If you have questions, please contact your Development Planner about this requirement.
View these Development Permit Notification Sign examples: demolition and a new house .
