Permits: It's Not As Scary As You Think!
Planning a renovation can feel like an overwhelming process and there are companies that want to try to capitalizE on that, we are not that type of company.
Seven Day Permits success is built on its experience in the construction, design and permitting processes. We truly believe education is key and that educating contractors anD homeowners about the project they are starting always creates a smoother design project.
This section is here to help you find the relevant information you need surrounding a variety of projects in Calgary.
General information surrounding what is needed to get going!
General information about permitting in Calgary including helpful links to permit requirements, the Land-Use Bylaw and more!
General information about hiring a contractor and what to look for!
What does Seven Day Permits Need To Get Going?
The scope of the project will determine what is required from our clients to get going. As each project is different, the type of information we need can vary, but, there are a few things every builder or homeowner should find prior to starting any renovation:
Real Property Report (RPR)
An RPR, or real property report, is a site survey of your property. This is required for any exterior renovation (new doors / windows) as well as Additions, Decks, Garages, or other accessory buildings. While it’s not required for interior renovations, this is still a very helpful document to have as this survey will give us the overall size of the building which can increase the speed at which we can produce new drawings. This is also the document we need to provide any bylaw check on your property.
Don't have a Real Property Report / can't find it / Current One Out of Date (There are new structures on the Site)?
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN RPR OR HAVE MISPLACED YOURS, YOU CAN CONTACT THE CITY TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ONE ON FILE. TO DO THIS, SIMPLY CALL YOUR LOCAL PLANNING DEPARTMENT (403.268.5311 IN CALGARY) AND ASK IF THEY HAVE ONE, AND IF SO, THE PROCESS TO GET A COPY. EACH MUNICIPALITY HAS DIFFERENT PROCESSES FOR ORDERing STORAGE FILES ON A PARTICULAR PROPERTY, COSTS AND TIMELINES CAN VARY.
IF THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE ONE, AND WE NEED ONE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR PROJECT, YOU WILL NEED TO ORDER A NEW RPR. THESE TYPES OF DOCUMENTS ARE PRODUCED BY SURVEYING COMPANIES. AT SEVEN DAY PERMITS, WE USE ARC SURVEYS. BUT ANY SURVEYOR WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH GETTING A NEW OR UPDATED SURVEY.
IF YOUR RPR IS OUTDATED (THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES TO THE DWELLING OR ADDITIONAL STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN BUILT), WE MAY NEED TO GET A NEW SURVEY FOR YOUR PROJECT. NOT ALL CHANGES TO THE SITE WILL REQUIRE A NEW SURVEY, SO CONTACT US BEFORE YOU ORDER A NEW ONE AND WE CAN ADVISE IF AN UPDATED ONE IS REQUIRED.
As Built Plans
What are As Built Plans?
AS-BUILT PLANS ARE THE ORIGINAL PLANS/BLUEPRINTS OF YOUR HOME. THESE ARE INCREDIBLY HELPFUL WHEN LOOKING AT ANY RENOVATION TO A PROPERTY. THEY WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT ALL EXISTING STRUCTURES (BEAMS/POSTS/ETC.) AS WELL AS THE EXISTING FLOOR PLANS, ELEVATIONS, AND SECTIONS.
WHILE NOT REQUIRED FOR SEVEN DAY PERMITS TO PRODUCE NEW DRAWINGS, HAVING THESE AS A REFERENCE CAN ELIMINATE A LOT OF UNKNOWNS ABOUT WHAT WE ARE WORKING WITH. IT IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED THAT CLIENTS TRY TO FIND THEM, OR CONTACT THE CITY TO GET COPIES OF THEM. IN ANY RENOVATION, THERE CAN BE ASSUMPTIONS MADE ABOUT THE EXISTING STRUCTURE AND HOW THE HOME WAS BUILT. WITHOUT STARTING TO DEMO, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO KNOW FOR SURE WHAT IS IN WALLS OR HOW THINGS ARE SUPPORTED. HAVING THESE PLANS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY AID SEVEN DAY PERMITS AND OUR CONSULTANTS (ENGINEERS) WHEN LOOKING AT A NEW PROJECT.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COPY OF YOUR HOMES ORIGINAL PLANS, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY ON FILE.
Don't Have As Built-Plans?
If you do not have any existing plans or as-builts you can contact the city to see if they have them on file. Even if they are not required for your project, having the original plans of your home is something every homeowner should have and are always beneficial when planning a renovation.
Typically, the city will have plans of homes built from the 80’s on. older than that and it is a bit hit or miss. To do this, simply call 311, ask to speak with “property research” and let them know you are waiting to order all original building permit drawings. They will walk you through the process.
Outside of Calgary, the process is the same, contact your local planning department and ask to speak with someone regarding ordering plans for your home.
Permitting In Calgary
General information surrounding all renovation and home improvement projects in Calgary.
An interactive Map that lets you see information about your lot including your Land-use District, historical permits, community association contact, Ward contact as well as relevant city policies that affect your property.
Land-Use Bylaw
THE LAND-USE BYLAW IS THE GUIDE THAT DETAILS ALL OF THE MUNICIPAL RULES (BYLAWS) YOUR PROJECT NEEDS TO MEET – IT IS A LARGE DOCUMENT, BUT DO NOT LET THAT DISCOURAGE YOU FROM TAKING A LOOK.
Alberta Building code
THE ALBERTA BUILDING CODE IS THE GUIDE THAT DETAILS ALL OF THE RULES (BUILDING CODES) YOUR PROJECT NEEDS TO MEET. LIKE THE LAND-USE BYLAW, ANYONE CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS DOCUMENT (FOLLOW THE LINK below), BUT, IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU CONTACT us TO HELP.
Hiring A Contractor
Hiring a contractor is a big decision and something that needs to be taken seriously. We have seen it all too often where homeowners are taken advantage of. the truth is, there are only a few key steps you need to take to ensure you are making a confident and educated decision on who will be working on your project. The link below takes you to the City of Calgary website where you can find additional information. below are also few quick things you should know and should confirm with any builder you are looking to hire:
Business license, Business ID Number (REquireD)
All contractors require a business license, and if they have a valid business license they have a business id (BID). The BID is not a Corporate Registration Number or a Business Number / GST Number. It is an approval given to each company from the City of Calgary that allows them to perform work within City limits. Make Sure Your Builder Has This – and confirm the number with the City!
Provincial License (Optional)
This is a big one, if a contractor is asking for payments (partial or in full) prior to all of the work being completed then they need to be registered with the Government of Alberta. Basically, if your builder is asking for a deposit or progress payments they need to also have a provincial license. You can verify by contacting the Consumer Contact Centre at 1-877-427-4088 or visit Service Alberta.
Ask for REferences
Should go without saying, but you would be surprised how often this is overlooked. Get references, real references that you personally contact. Do not simply rely on website reviews, ask for the addresses and contact information of their past clients that they completed a similar project on. You can then do a simple drive by to see the completed work as well as talk to other homeowners that have worked with your potential builder.