Garage, shed, gazebo or similar structures

Use this page to help guide you through submitting a complete application. We will explain when you need a permit, what permits you need, what your application requirements are and go over some common rules relating to your project.

Do you need a permit?

• It is greater than 10 m 2 (107 sq. ft.) – if it is under 10 m 2 , review the section for buildings under 10 m2 (107 sq. ft.)
• It is attached to a house – this is considered an addition and not a garage or similar structure. You will need to review the additions page.

If you’re a home builder, contractor or tradesperson

• If you’re a contractor or tradesperson hired to work on a new or existing property, it’s your responsibility to ensure the correct permits are in place before occupancy.
• Pulling the correct permits includes ensuring the permit is closed and approvals are granted before occupancy.
• Note: when an electrical contractor is doing the work only a Master Electrician can obtain an electrical permit.

If you’re a homebuilder or prospective home buyer

• You can apply for your own permits or speak with your homebuilder, contractor or tradespeople to ensure the right permits are in place for your project. If you are planning on doing electrical work yourself, you can obtain a homeowner’s electrical permit.
• You can contact 311 or visit calgary.ca/propertyresearch to request information about your property, before starting your next renovation project.

If you are updating or building a garage that is not attached to your home, you need a Residential Improvement Project Permit. Watch the following video to learn more from our industry expert Jonathan Hasse, safety codes officer, at the City of Calgary.

Building safety approval (building permit)

Building safety approval is to make sure that the structure meets building safety requirements. Review the construction (building code information) section of this page for more information.

Electrical permit

• all new wiring installations
• when extending or altering any existing electrical branch circuit wiring.

When do you need additional permits?

You may require additional permits depending on if it meets the rules of the Land Use Bylaw or if you are doing any additional work including electrical or plumbing.

Planning approval (development permit)

• If accessory residential building in the Land Use Bylaw is listed as discretionary in your district, there is no guarantee of approval.
• If your design or location does not meet land use bylaw rules​, this means you are requesting a relaxation to the rules of the land use bylaw, there is no guarantee of approval.
• If you are building higher or bigger than the rules:
  • If the garage is higher than 4.6 meters (15’-1”)
  • If the height from the parking surface to where the wall meets the roof truss is higher than 3 metres (9’-10”)
  • If the garage is greater than 75 m 2 (807 sq. ft.) or
  • If the garage will be larger than the existing house

  Plumbing permit

  A separate plumbing permit is required for all new plumbing installations, as well as when extending or altering any existing plumbing systems. For more information about what type of electrical work a homeowner may obtain a permit for, review the homeowners permits eligibility and plumbing permit sections. For information for contractors, visit the trade permit contractor information page.

  How much will it cost?

  Building safety approval - building permit	Fee schedule	Permit fee	Safety codes council fee (4%)	Total
  Building safety approval - building permit : New garage	Fee schedule : building permit fee schedule	Permit fee : $321	Safety codes council fee (4%) : $12.84	Total : $333.84
  Building safety approval - building permit : New carport, shed, greenhouse, or pergola	Fee schedule : building permit fee schedule	Permit fee : $198	Safety codes council fee (4%) : $7.92	Total : $205.92
  Building safety approval - building permit : Renovation to an existing garage, shed, greenhouse, or pergola	Fee schedule : building permit fee schedule	Permit fee : $198	Safety codes council fee (4%) : $7.92	Total : $205.92

  Trade permit fees

  Trade permits	Fee schedule	Permit fee	Safety codes council fee (4%)	Total
  Trade permits : Homeowner electrical permit	Fee schedule : building permit fee schedule	Permit fee : $112	Safety codes council fee (4%) : $4.50	Total : $116.50
  Trade permits : Homeowner plumbing permit	Fee schedule : building permit fee schedule	Permit fee : $112	Safety codes council fee (4%) : $4.50	Total : $116.50
  Trade permits : Contractor trade permit	Fee schedule : building permit fee schedule	Permit fee : -	Safety codes council fee (4%) : -	Total : Get a permit fee estimate

  Planning Approval

  Planning approval - development permit (if applicable)	Fee schedule	Permit fee	Advertising fee	Development completion inspection	Total
  Planning approval - development permit (if applicable) : Proposed land use bylaw relaxation for a garage, shed, greenhouse, or pergola	Fee schedule : planning applications fee schedule	Permit fee : $365	Advertising fee : $30	Development completion inspection : $155	Total : $550

  How do you pay for a permit?

  Online submissions

  For online submissions you will pay your permit fees in full at the time of your application using a credit card

  In person submissions

  You will be required to pay in full at the time of your application. You may pay by credit or debit card, cheque or cash.

  How long will it take to get a permit?

  Timelines indicated are not a guarantee and depend on volumes, application completeness, and the applicant’s timely replies to additional information requests from the City.

  Tip: To avoid delays in processing your application, make sure your application includes all the required documents, plans and information listed on the checklist below. See the tips for a smooth application for details on submitting a complete application.

  Timeline

  Building safety approval - building permit	Our process	Timeline
  Building safety approval - building permit : - New garage - New carport, shed, greenhouse, or pergola - Renovation to an existing garage, shed, greenhouse, or pergola	Our process : Application is reviewed for compliance with the land use bylaw and safety codes	Timeline : Approximately 7 days

  Planning approval timelines

  • 60 days to decision
  • 21 days advertisement/appeal period

  Review our development permit process page for more information about the planning approval process.

  When does your permit expire?

  You will receive a permit expiry reminder in the mail. If you need more time, you can extend your permit. Review the extend or reinstate your permit section.

  Permit type	Expiry (from date of issuance)
  Permit type : Building permit	Expiry (from date of issuance) : 180 days
  Permit type : Contractor trade permit	Expiry (from date of issuance) : 330 days
  Permit type : Homeowner permit	Expiry (from date of issuance) : 330 days
  Permit type : Development permit	Expiry (from date of issuance) :

  Your permit conditions will outline your commencement date. Commencement date is the day you must start construction by for the development permit to be valid. If you do not start construction by that date, you can request an extension of commencemen t .

  Do you need to hire a professional?

  If you are hiring someone to do the work for you, they will need to apply for the permit. Visit our hiring a contractor page to review the 5 steps to choosing a contractor.

  Professional architects or engineers

  An architect or professional engineer may be required to design and inspect your project. Refer to the current National Building Code – Alberta Edition, Division C, Section 2.4.2 or a consultant to determine if professional involvement is required. Where professional involvement is required, plans or documents must be stamped by the corresponding professional(s).​​

  If your project requires engineer’s review, then a seal of professional engineer registered to practice in the province of Alberta for the proposed design should be provided. The engineer should be registered with APEGA- The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta. Please visit APEGA website for professional engineer’s stamp authentication requirements.

  What are the rules when designing your project?

  The following information will help you prepare your building permit application, and make sure it meets the City’s requirements.

  Where are you building?

  Enter your address to find your land use district and property information This property is in the Airport vicinity protection area.

  Where can you build on your property?

  How close can your building be to your property lines?

  Accessory residential buildings (garages, sheds, pergolas, etc) are not permitted to be located in the actual front setback.

  

  If the rear property line is shared with an alley or another property, the distance from the property line must be 0.6m (1.9ft) unless:

  • The building is under 10 m 2
  • The exterior is maintenance-free (examples of maintenance-free materials including vinyl siding and stucco), or the owner of the adjacent property grants a private maintenance easement.
  • All water drainage off the building remains on the property.
  • There is no eave overhang onto the neighbouring property.
  • The building is under 10 m 2
  • The exterior is maintenance-free (examples of maintenance-free materials including vinyl siding and stucco), or the owner of the adjacent property grants a private maintenance easement.
  • All water drainage off the building remains on the property.
  • There is no eave overhang onto the adjacent lot.

  How close can your building be to your house?

  • For accessory residential buildings greater than 10m2 (107 sqft)
    • 1.0m (3.2ft) clearance from the main residential building or house measuring from the closest wall of each building. Includes second floor cantilevers, bay windows etc. If your building is closer than 1.0m you will need a development permit.
    • There is no minimum separation, however if you attach the structure to your house, it is considered an addition

    

    The property has a zero lot line, where can you build?

    • Zero lot lines allow you to build up to your side property line. Zero lot lines commonly exist in combination with maintenance access right-of-ways on the opposite side of the property and on neighbouring properties.
      
    • If your proposed structure projects into a maintenance access right-of-way, the document showing allowance for this type of construction must be presented at the time of application.

    Building near rights-of-way

    • Permanent structures are not permitted to be built in URWs. This includes, but is not limited to, any portion of a building, such as footings, walls or eaves.
    • ODRWs must be kept clear of structures, planting, landscaping, debris, and any other obstructions. Read more in the lot grading brochure
    • MARWs are specific to your property, and can be found by accessing your property’s information from Alberta Land Titles.

    What design rules do you need to meet?

    Height

    

    • The maximum height of your building cannot be higher than 4.6m (15 ft) when measured from the finished floor to the highest point – usually the roof peak.
    • The maximum height of the underside of the eaveline cannot be higher than 3.0m (9.8 ft) when measured from the finished floor to the intersection of the wall and the roof structure at the highest point.
    • The finished floor height of the building cannot be higher than 0.6m (1.9ft) above grade unless the building is a garage. For example, a pergola built on a deck with a deck height higher than 0.6m would not meet the bylaw and would require a Development Permit.
    • The building cannot be more than one storey in height, however it is allowed to have an attic
      • The attic must:
        • not have windows
        • be accessed by a removable ladder
        • be used by the occupants of the house for storage
        • have a maximum height of 1.5m (4.9ft) measured from the attic floor to the underside of any rafter

        Parking

        How many parking stalls do you need to provide?

        • All required stalls must be located on the property and cannot be in tandem (located one in front of the other).
        • At least one parking stall is required in most land use districts
        • If your property is located in the following districts, you will require 2 stalls.
          • R-1N or R-C1N and the property width is less than 9m (29.5ft)
          • R-2, R-C2 or R-2Mand the property width is less than 9m (29.5ft) or the property area is less than 270m2 (2906 sq. ft.)
          • If your property is an irregular shape and you are unsure of your property width, please refer to the example below to see how to measure your property width and determine how many parking stalls are required.
          • Not all parking stalls need to be provided within a garage. Parking requirements can be met with a parking pad or driveway, provided that all required stalls are located on the property and cannot be in tandem (located one in front of the other).

          How big do the parking stalls need to be?

          • For the purpose of parking stall requirements, walls of a garage, fences and property lines are considered barriers.
          • If the parking stall touches two barriers the stall must be at least 5.9 m x 3 m.
          • If the parking stall touches only one barrier the stall must be 5.9 m x 2.85 m.
          • If the parking stall touches no barriers the stall must be 5.9 m x 2.5 m.

          How big can the garage be?

          1. The total area of accessory residential buildings on a property cannot be more than:
             • the building coverage (footprint) of the main residential building (house), or
             • 75 m 2 (807 sq. ft.) per dwelling unit
          2. The combined parcel coverage of all buildings cannot exceed a certain percentage of your total property size. This percentage is determined by your specific land use district. See the graph below to determine your allowable lot coverage.

          Land use district	Allowable coverage (%)	Parcel area Parcel width < 10 m	Parcel area Parcel width < 8.7 m	Parcel width > 11 m	Semi-detached / duplex	Row / townhouse
          R-C1L R-C1Ls	40	x	x	x	x	x
          R-C1 R-C1s R-C2 R-1 R-1s R-MH R-CG*	45	x	x	x	x	x
          R-C1N	45	50	x	x	x	x
          R-1N	50	x	60	45	x	x
          R-2	45	x	x	x	50	x
          R-2M	45	x	x	x	50	60
          *Parcel coverage rules for R-CG change as density increases.

          Note: If the aggregate area of all accessory buildings is under 10 m 2 (107 sq. ft.) those structures will not contribute to parcel coverage.

          How to calculate lot coverage

          To calculate lot coverage, you will need to divide the footprint area of all applicable buildings by the property size. (Total building area ÷ property area) × 100 = lot coverage %. Tip: You can use a Real Property Report (RPR) as your site plan. The lot dimensions will be located on the document.

          Example:

          

          
          Calculation: (Total building area ÷ property area) × 100 = lot coverage per cent

          1. Find the allowable coverage for the property based on your land use district.
             R-C1 = 45%
          2. Calculate the property area.
             10.36 m × 32.0 m = 331.52 m 2
          3. Add all applicable building areas:
             

          house:	77.2 m 2
          covered deck*:	9.3 m 2
          shed:	10.2 m 2
          proposed garage:	+ 40.8 m 2
          Total building area	= 137.5 m 2

          total building area = 137.5 m 2	× 100 = 41.47%
          property area = 331.52 m 2

          Rooftop decks and balconies

          • If you are proposing a rooftop deck or balcony, a development permit will always be required.
          • There is no guarantee your development permit would be approved if your building includes a rooftop deck or balcony.
          • If your application is approved, you will still need a Building Permit to review the Building Safety of the structure.

          Semi-detached garages

          • A semi-detached garage is where two garages share a common wall along a property line
          • The maximum size of each side of the garage is 75m 2 per single family home, per side of a semi-detached home and per rowhouse unit.

          Lane grades for unpaved lanes

          • If a detached garage is accessing an unpaved rear lane, a lane grade can be established through a Development Site Servicing site visit. This will ensure that the garage floor will be at the correct elevation in relation to the lane. The City of Calgary will assume no responsibility for water runoff into the garage, or access problems arising from construction of a garage, due to a grade that is inconsistent with the design grade approved by Development Site Servicing.
          • This service is not mandatory.
          • Residential grades requirement list
          • Note: there is a fee for this service.

          If you have questions or need clarification on the Land Use Bylaw rules, or have general permit questions, please contact the Planning Services Centre.
          

          Construction information (building code) to consider when designing your building

          Buildings under 10 m2 (107 sq. ft.)

          Accessory residential buildings under 10 m² (107 sq. ft.) in area typically do not require a building permit, however, they must comply with the rules listed under where can you build? and what design rules do you need to meet?

          Building within 0.6m of the side property line

          When building within 0.6m (1.9 ft.) of the side property line, accessory residential buildings which are 10 m 2 (107 sq. ft.) or larger have the following requirements for fire-ratings and permitted locations of eave projections:

          Fire rating

          5/8" Type X drywall is required to be installed from floor to ceiling on all interior walls that are located within 0.6m (1.9 ft) of the side property line.

          Eave projections

          Eave projections are not permitted within 0.45 m (1.5 ft.) of a side property line shared with an adjacent property (excluding rain trough). All water drainage off the building must remain on the property. A non-vented soffit (underside of eave projection) is required for eaves within 1.2 m (3.9 ft.) of a property line shared with an adjacent property. If the eaves will project towards the lane instead, the roof trusses will likely be resting on the beam over the overhead garage door. If this is the case, you will need to provide a copy of the beam calculations or manufacturer’s truss layouts when you apply for a building permit. The National Building Code (Alberta Edition) has specific distance requirements for eaves and soffits, as demonstrated in this diagram:

          Temporary tent garages

          Temporary tent garages on residential properties do not require a building permit, however; they must comply with the rules listed under where can you build? and what design rules do you need to meet? Note: tent garages are not considered maintenance free structures, so the setback rules apply.​​

          Parking pad

          Although a building permit is not required for a parking pad, if you plan on pouring a parking pad for the purpose of building a garage in the future you should consider the location after reviewing the rules listed under where can you build? and what design rules do you need to meet? If your garage slab will have an area bigger than 55 m 2 (592 sq. ft.), and does not have a concrete foundation that is 1.2m below grade, you will need a concrete slab designed by a professional engineer. Please refer to Building Regulations Bulletin 2014-011.

          Homeowner Trade Permits

          Homeowner permit eligibility

          • You legally own the home - if you have recently purchased the property, it takes some time for the title to transfer to you. We may request a copy of your purchase agreement as proof of ownership.
          • You live in the home or intend to reside in it - the home cannot be a rental property.
          • You are doing the work yourself - you cannot pull a permit on behalf of the individual or company doing the work. If you are hiring someone to do the work for you, they will need to apply the permit. Visit our hiring a contractor page to review the 5 steps to choosing a contractor.

          Other requirements

          • Homeowners cannot pull a homeowner's electrical permit and plumbing permit for apartment-style condos. A licensed contractor must install the wiring in these types of residences.
          • The electrical and/or plumbing system can only service that home, including a secondary suite contained within it.
          • If the home is a semi-detached dwelling, one side of the property is acceptable (the side the owner lives in). This includes any accessory buildings on the same property.
          • Row-type, individually owned condominium townhouses are acceptable with authorization from the condo board to the unit owner. The permit would apply only to the unit that the owner lives in. Other units in the complex are not included.
          • If the home is owned by a corporation, a director can pull this if they live there and are completing the work themselves. The City of Calgary will request a copy of the corporation documents to show proof of ownership.

          Electrical permit

          • All new wiring installations.
          • Extending or altering any existing electrical branch circuit wiring.
          • As a homeowner, you can:
          • Tie into the main panel without physically changing it.
          • Add a sub-panel to an existing main service, provided there is an existing main breaker.
            
          • Install electrical wiring for above-ground swimming pools and hot tubs.

          Homeowners are not permitted to:

          • Install, alter or modify the main electrical service, including the main panel, main breaker or the meter base.
          • Install electrical wiring in permanent, in-ground swimming pools and hot tubs.
          • Install or alter solar photovoltaic systems.
          • Have a journeyman certificate.
          • Own the home.
          • Must live in the home.

          Plumbing permit

          • All new plumbing systems.
          • Extending or altering plumbing systems.
          • Water and sewer lines in or around the home that are being replaced
          • The gas lines located upstream from the water heater shut off valve.
          • The venting system (e.g. size and design).
          • The type of water heater (e.g. changing from a natural draft water heater to a direct vent water heater).
          • Repair a leak in a water distribution or drainage system.
          • Replace existing faucets and fixtures.
          • Remove blockage in the drainage.

          Gas permit

          • Have a Journeyman certificate
          • Own the home
          • Must live in the home

          What to do if the work has already been completed?

          Concealed wiring procedure

          If your renovation has previously been finished without proper permits, you can still apply for the permits after the work has been completed.
          For an electrical permit, when the work has been concealed by drywall, you are required to follow the concealed wiring procedure. A homeowner’s permit cannot be issued for concealed wiring completed without proper permits. To have the inspection done, the owner must hire a licensed electrical contractor. The contractor will have to obtain an electrical permit and check that the wiring complies with electrical codes. However, the homeowner is responsible for any previously concealed electrical wiring. Note: There is a possibility the inspector may ask for drywall to be removed to complete their inspection.

          Concealed plumbing procedure

          If your renovation has previously been finished without proper permits, you can still apply for the permits after the work has been completed.
          For a plumbing permit, when the work has been concealed by drywall, you are required to follow the concealed plumbing procedure. A homeowner’s permit cannot be issued for concealed plumbing completed without proper permits. To have the inspection done, the owner must hire a licensed plumbing contractor. The contractor will have to obtain a plumbing permit and check that the plumbing complies with plumbing codes. However, the homeowner is still responsible for any previously concealed plumbing. Note: There is a possibility the inspector may ask for drywall to be removed to complete their inspection.