Essential Guide to Permits in Calgary for Home Renovations

Whether you’re planning a bathroom upgrade or a full basement development, understanding the permit process is a key part of successful home renovations in Calgary. At Calgary Home Renovations | LBProjects, we believe informed homeowners make better decisions, and this guide is here to walk you through the essentials—who’s responsible for pulling permits, when you need them, and a few helpful facts to keep in mind along the way.

What’s the purpose of a permit?

Permits in a Calgary home renovation exist to ensure your work meets current safety, building, zoning, and municipal code standards. They help protect homeowners, neighbours, and future buyers by confirming that construction work is done right. In this blog, we’ll break down the basics: who pulls the permit, when you need one, and a few things you might not know about the process.

City of Calgary Building Permit Overview

Who pulls the permit?

In Calgary home renovations, it depends on the type of permit:

• Building Permits (also referred to as framing permits or building safety permits) can be pulled by either a licensed contractor or the homeowner.

• Trade Permits (plumbing, HVAC, and electrical) must be pulled by a licensed professional in that specific trade. That means only a licensed plumber can pull a plumbing permit, and the same applies to HVAC techs and electricians.

If you’re hiring a renovation company like ours, we typically take care of the permit applications on your behalf. But the key is making sure whoever is doing the work is qualified and properly permitted to do it.

When do you need a permit?

Here’s the simplest way to look at it:If you’re making aesthetic changes only (like replacing cabinets, flooring, or fixtures in their current location), you likely don’t need a permit.

But if your renovation involves any of the following, you will need permits:

• Removing or relocating walls (especially load-bearing)

• Adding or relocating electrical, plumbing, or HVAC

• Changing window or door sizes

• Building a new bathroom or kitchen

Finishing a basement with new layouts or utility work

Basically, if you’re touching anything behind the walls, assume a permit is required.

When is a Development Permit required?

A Development Permit is different from a Building Permit. It’s based on how your project affects land use, zoning, or exterior structure changes.

You may need one if:

• You’re building an addition, garage, or deck

• You’re adding a secondary suite

• Your renovation alters the exterior of your home

• Your project doesn’t comply with current zoning bylaws

The City of Calgary provides guidelines and zoning tools to help you determine when a Development Permit is necessary. But when in doubt, we’re happy to help navigate it with you.

Interesting facts about permits in Calgary Home Renovations

1. Real Property Reports (RPRs) can sometimes be modified and used as a basic site plan when submitting permit applications. This can be a cost-effective alternative if you’re working with existing conditions.

2. The City of Calgary will accept hand-drawn site plans, provided they’re clear, legible, and include all necessary information. While this isn’t always recommended, it can be a practical workaround if you're dealing with older homes or looking to avoid the cost of hiring an architectural designer for smaller jobs.

For more on this, check out our blog post: The Importance of Getting a Permit Before You Renovate

Final Thoughts

Permits might not be the most exciting part of a renovation—but they’re absolutely essential. They protect your investment, ensure compliance, and make sure the work is safe and legal. If you’re planning home renovations in Calgary, we always recommend consulting a professional to confirm what’s required. At Calgary Home Renovations | LBProjects, we handle this process for you, ensuring your renovation starts and finishes on solid ground.

Have a project in mind? Get a Quote