Home Improvement - City of Medicine Hat
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If you are planning a residential addition or enclosure project, a Development Permit will likely be required, and a Building Permit will always be required. Whether or not your project requires a Development Permit will depend on the specifics of your home and lot, and the size of your planned addition or enclosure. The information on this page will help to guide you through the approvals needed for these types of projects.
Examples of residential additions and enclosures:
Deck/patio enclosure
Room addition (addition to an exterior wall)
Carport enclosure (conversion to garage)
Breezeway enclosure
Bay window addition
A development permit covers the what and where a development may proceed. It approves what type of development is allowed on a particular property, taking into account land use and setback issues of the City's Land Use Bylaw.
The scope of work being done will determine what permits you require. For application information, see the How to apply section below.
A Development Permit is required when:
Enclosing a deck, patio, carport or breezeway
Adding a room to an existing exterior wall
Adding a storey to any existing building
Potentially, a Development Permit may be required when:
Enclosing a front porch
Adding a bay window
Doing other addition/enclosure projects
NOTE: If a Development Permit is required, this must be applied for and approved prior to Building Permit and trade permit applications. A Planning or Development Officer can provide assistance. Contact Planning & Development Services with any questions about your specific project.
A Building Permit and applicable trades permits are required for all projects involving the construction of additions or enclosures.
What other permits/approvals are required?
Other permits (below) may be required if the proposed project involves specific considerations:
Electrical Permit: Required for installing or modifying electrical systems, including moving lights or outlets.
Gas Permit: Required for installing, modifying or adding to any gas system.
Plumbing Permit: Required for installing or modifying plumbing systems or any plumbing equipment.
Mechanical Permit: Required for installing or modifying heating, ventilation or air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Land Owner Consent Form: Required if the property is a part of a condominium, or is otherwise not owned by the applicant.
As a homeowner, you are able to obtain homeowner's permits for plumbing, electrical, gas and mechanical work. To apply for any of these homeowner's permits:
You must be doing the work yourself
You must own and reside in the home
You must be capable of performing the work in accordance with the Safety Codes Act
It must be a single-family dwelling (not a condo building, etc.)
NOTE: Depending on the homeowner's permit you are applying for, other restrictions may apply. For more info, visit Homeowners trade permits.
Enforcement action issued by a City inspector.
A fine for building without a permit.
Having to undo work that has been completed.
NOTE: As a homeowner, you are responsible for paying any penalties, even if you hired a contractor who assured you that permits were not required. For more info, visit Tips for hiring contractors.
If you are not the owner of the property, then you must get the owner's consent to apply for any changes. See section below: How to apply.
A homeowner's trade permit is authorization from The City to perform a limited scope of electrical, plumbing, gas or mechanical (HVAC) work.
Permits are required for common renovation projects such as:
Changing the exterior finish material of a house
Adding or changing the size of a window or exterior door
Building or finishing a living/recreation room, bedroom or bathroom
Repairs due to fire or flood damage
Permits are NOT required for maintenance or minor cosmetic upgrades such as:
Replacing flooring, painting, installing kitchen cabinets
Replacing windows of the same size
Replacing the exterior finish of a house with similar materials (e.g. replacing existing vinyl siding with new vinyl siding.)
Development Permit vs Building Permit
Approves what type of development is allowed on a particular property, taking into account land use and the City's Land Use Bylaw.
Ensures construction or demolition meets the requirements of the Alberta Building Code.
Don't see your project? Contact us.