Permits and licensing · Alberta
Renovation permits and contractor licences in Alberta
In Alberta, building, electrical, gas and plumbing permits are issued under the Safety Codes Act by accredited municipalities or, elsewhere, by agencies acting for the province. Electricians, plumbers and gasfitters must be certified, contractors who take money before the work is done need a prepaid contracting licence, and new-home builders must be licensed.
Regulators and licensing bodies in Alberta
These official bodies license contractors, oversee safety or issue permits in Alberta.
Alberta Municipal Affairs – Safety codes
Administers the Safety Codes Act, which covers building, electrical, gas, plumbing and private sewage work.
Safety Codes Council
Oversees the accredited municipalities and agencies that deliver permits and inspections. Its website shows where to get a permit for your address.
Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
Licenses prepaid contracting businesses under the Consumer Protection Act and offers tips on hiring a contractor.
Residential Protection Program (new home warranty)
Licenses residential builders and oversees the mandatory new-home warranty coverage required by the New Home Buyer Protection Act.
Alberta apprenticeship and trade certification (Tradesecrets)
Certifies tradespeople. Electrician, plumber and gasfitter are compulsory certification trades.
Trades that need a licence in Alberta
Electrical work
Electrician is a compulsory certification trade: only certified journeypersons or registered apprentices may perform its restricted activities. Electrical work falls under the Safety Codes Act permit system; in Calgary, if you hire someone to do the work, they must apply for the permit.
Sources:Tradesecrets – Compulsory certification trades(opens in a new tab)Alberta – Permits and Alberta’s safety code system(opens in a new tab)Calgary – Home renovations and basements(opens in a new tab)
Plumbing
Plumber is a compulsory certification trade, and plumbing work falls under the Safety Codes Act permit system.
Sources:Tradesecrets – Compulsory certification trades(opens in a new tab)Alberta – Permits and Alberta’s safety code system(opens in a new tab)
Gas and fuel-burning appliances
Gasfitter (Class A and Class B) is a compulsory certification trade, and gas work falls under the Safety Codes Act permit system.
Sources:Tradesecrets – Compulsory certification trades(opens in a new tab)Alberta – Permits and Alberta’s safety code system(opens in a new tab)
Consumer protection
A contracting business that negotiates or concludes a contract with you in person away from its place of business and takes money before all the work on your home is done needs a prepaid contracting licence.
Sources:Alberta – Prepaid contracting licence(opens in a new tab)
New-home building and warranty
All residential builders must have a licence to obtain permits for new homes, and the New Home Buyer Protection Act requires home warranty coverage on all new residential homes.
Sources:Alberta – Residential builder licensing(opens in a new tab)Alberta – New home warranty(opens in a new tab)
Building and renovation permits in Alberta
Building, electrical, gas, plumbing and private sewage projects that fall under the Safety Codes Act must meet provincial requirements. Permits are available through municipalities accredited to administer the Act and, in non-accredited municipalities, through agencies that provide inspection services on behalf of the province. Primary responsibility for compliance rests with the owner.
Sources:Alberta – Permits and Alberta’s safety code system(opens in a new tab)Safety Codes Council – Where to get a permit(opens in a new tab)
Permit information from large municipalities
Before you hire a contractor in Alberta
Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.
If you’ll pay before the work is finished, check that the business holds a prepaid contracting licence.
Official lookup: Service Alberta – Find out if a business is licensed(opens in a new tab)
Ask to see the tradesperson’s Alberta certificate and check it with the Tradesperson Lookup Tool.
Official lookup: Tradesecrets – Tradesperson lookup tool(opens in a new tab)
Buying or building a new home? Search the builder’s licence and the home’s warranty in the public registries.
Official lookup: Alberta – New home warranty public registries(opens in a new tab)
Make sure the contractor and tradespeople have WCB coverage, and ask to see proof of liability insurance.
Check with your local government whether permits or inspections are needed and at which stages.
Official lookup: Safety Codes Council – Where to get a permit(opens in a new tab)
Always insist on a written contract. Be wary of contractors who knock on your door, demand a large down payment or refuse to put the work in writing.
Sources for renovation permits and licences in Alberta
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources.
- Alberta – Permits and Alberta’s safety code system(opens in a new tab)
- Safety Codes Council – Where to get a permit(opens in a new tab)
- Alberta – Prepaid contracting licence(opens in a new tab)
- Alberta – Hiring a contractor(opens in a new tab)
- Alberta – Residential builder licensing(opens in a new tab)
- Alberta – New home warranty(opens in a new tab)
- Tradesecrets – Compulsory certification trades(opens in a new tab)
- Calgary – Home renovations and basements(opens in a new tab)
Find licensed pros
Compare local pros for the regulated trades in this guide, then confirm their licence with the regulator before you hire.
Renovation permits in other provinces and territories
Planning a renovation?
Describe your project once and hear from local pros. Ask each one for their licence and permit details before you hire.