Permits

What is a building permit?

A building permit gives you legal permission to start your project as required and outlined by the Safety Codes Act or Municipal Bylaws. Building permits are required for, but not limited to:

• All new residential and commercial buildings
• Residential additions
• Commercial additions and renovations
• Residential renovations (decks, garages, basement development, structural alterations, etc.)
• Demolition and building relocation
• Accessory buildings greater than 10 m² (100 ft²)
• A deck more than 600 mm (2.0 ft) above grade
• Swimming pool
• Hot tub
• Retaining walls 1.2 m (3.94 ft) or higher to ensure that the construction meets the requirements of the National Building Code – 2019 Alberta Edition (NBC(AE)).
• Change of use or occupancy of a building.

A building permit is required before any work commences on a project and may be applied for by the registered property owner, an agent acting on behalf of a property owner, or a contractor contracted on behalf of the property owner.

A building permit is NOT required for:

• Minor repairs, painting, decorating, or re-roofing if there are not structural changes to the building and matters affecting health or safety are not at risk
• A single story, accessory building no greater than 10 m² (100 ft²) in building area providing it does not create a hazard, where it meets the setback requirements of the Land Use Bylaw and where matters affecting health or safety are not involved.

A Safety Codes Officer (Building Inspector) will review the application for compliance with the NBC(AE) and referenced documents. Once all the required information has been submitted, a building permit will be issued to the applicant, at which time construction may begin. A building inspector will perform inspections throughout the construction process verifying that the structure is being built in accordance with the approved plans and code requirements.

Download a Building Permit Application

Download a Building Permit Application Checklist

Electrical, plumbing and gas permit applications are reviewed by an authorized safety codes inspection agency contracted on behalf of the Town.

Permits are required for:

• Electrical installations
• Plumbing and gas systems
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems

Permits are NOT required for:

• Repair or alterations to any heating, ventilation or air conditioning system which are of a minor nature and which, in the opinion of the Safety Codes Officer, will not hinder the satisfactory operation of the system and does not involve the health or safety of the occupants of the

Applications for electrical, plumbing and gas permits must be submitted to Superior Safety Codes at:

Superior Safety Codes
3, 6264 – 67 A Street
Red Deer, Alberta | T4P 3E8
Phone: 403-358-5545
Fax: 403-358-5085

Email: info@superiorsafetycodes.com

To obtain a Gas, Plumbling, or Electrical Permit Application, visit: www.superiorsafetycodes.com

Service Connection Permit
All Water & Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Connections will require a permit before work can begin. This will be called a Service Connection Permit.

The Town Utilities Department will complete a two-part inspection.
• Water and Sanitary Sewer to be inspected initially before the foundation inspection – a portion of the Storm Sewer may also be inspected at this time as well.
• Storm inspection will be fully completed after foundation inspection – storm connections will be inspected and documented up to riser at foundation.

The installation of a water meter also requires a service connection application.

Applications must be submitted to the Town of Innisfail Operations Department:
• Phone 403-227-3376
• Email townhall@innisfail.ca

Download a Service Connection Permit Application

An Excavation permit allows the applicant to excavate that part of the Right-Of-Way (ROW) described in the permit application. An Excavation Permit must be applied before any work that disturbs the surface proceeds on any Town of Innisfail Road Right-of way as per Excavation Permit Policy 99-003.

These Permits support the Town in monitoring and coordinating activities within the ROW to:
• Allow construction work to take place in a safe and timely manner.
• Prevent conflicts between activities.
• Protect and maintain public infrastructure.
• Minimize disruption to businesses, residents and road users (i.e. motorists, cyclists and pedestrians).
• Maintain safety for all users.

The Town requires 48 hours’ notice for initial and final inspection. Applicants are required to check with the utility companies and the Town prior to excavation to ensure no conflicts with existing infrastructure. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to contact Alberta Once Call.

All applications must include a Traffic Accommodation Strategy and a Detailed Work Site and Location Plan which includes:

proposed signage, barricades, fencing, cones etc. will need to be attached to all application and approved prior to commencing work.

All excavation work must be completed within the dates listed on the excavation permit. The permit is valid for the time set out on the permit.

Extending the permit: If an extension is required, requests to extend must be received before the permit expiry date and are granted on a case-by-case basis.

Excavation applications must be submitted to the Town of Innisfail Operations Department:
• Phone 403-227-3376
• Email townhall@innisfail.ca

Download an Excavation Permit Application

A Hoarding Permit allows the applicant to occupy space on any Town-owned right-of- way (i.e., alley, sidewalk, boulevard, and street) for the purpose of storing building materials and equipment (i.e., cranes, concrete trucks, forklifts, material delivery vehicles) or for anything other than its intended purpose. Permits must be issued for any full or partial closures within the Right-of-Way (ROW) to allow any resident, contractor, mover, businesses, etc. to utilize a portion of the ROW for a specific duration.

• Road Closure – the partial or full closure of a Roadway
• Alley Closure – the partial or full closure of an Alley (laneway)
• Sidewalk/Pathway Closure – the partial or full closure of a Sidewalk/Pathway
• Placement of a Demolition Bin / Moving Bin / Material Stockpile / Unattached Trailer
• Laydown location related to a construction project
*Laydown areas that are entirely on a private property parcel only require permission from the property owner.

The purpose is to ensure that the public ROW is only occupied when the work cannot take
place solely on private property for work to be completed safely and efficiently, while
minimizing the impact to businesses, residents and property owners.

If the flow of traffic will be interrupted, applications must also include a Traffic
Accommodation Strategy and a Detailed Work Site and Location Plan which includes:
proposed signage, barricades, fencing, cones etc. and will be needed to be attached to all
application and approved prior to commencing work.
• For excavation work, refer to the Excavation Policy 99-003
• For special events, refer to the Special Events Conditions of Approval on the Special Event application.
• For outdoor patios, refer to the Use of Public Lands for Sidewalk Cafe or Merchant Display 2019-002.

Hoarding Permit applications can be sent to the Town of Innisfail Operations Department:
• Phone 403-227-3376
• Email townhall@innisfail.ca

Download a Hoarding Permit Application

Below are answers to some of the more commonly-asked permitting questions.

Do I need a permit to build a deck?
A permit may be required depending on the size of the deck. To find out more, download our DECK INFO SHEET.

Do I need a permit to build a garage?
For most building projects of this size, multiple permits are required. To find out more, download our GARAGE INFO SHEET.

Do I need a permit to build a fence?
A permit may be required depending on the height and locatrion of the fence. To find out more, download our FENCE INFO SHEET.