Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) permits and inspections for commercial, industrial and multi-unit residential buildings.

Includes kitchen exhaust systems, make up air units, spray applications, roof-top units, dust collecting systems and ventilation systems.

For heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work inside a home see HVAC Permit.

When a project involves a general contractor, HVAC permits are attached to building permit.

Contact your general contractor to be added to the online HVAC permit application.

Important Information

Permits

Most HVAC projects will also require a building permit. See Do I Need a Permit? for more information.
C-2 schedules must be signed by an engineer and submitted a minimum 2 business days prior to requesting a final inspection.

Inspections

Pending request volumes, inspections may not occur on the date requested.
Due to the “spot check” and “point in time” nature of inspections, safety codes officers will not review all work in all areas.
A limited number of inspections are included in the value of a permit. See Which Inspections Do I Need? for more information.

Service Overview

Fees

Base inspection costs are included in permit fees. See Additional Fees for more information on costs for additional inspections.

Fees listed below apply to both stand-alone HVAC permits and HVAC permits obtained in connection with a building permit.

New Construction
2022 fees effective January 1, 2022

Project Type	HVAC Permit Fee	Minimum Fee	Safety Codes Fee
New commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-residential development	$0.61 per $1,000 construction value	$174	4% of the permit cost with a minimum of $4.50 and maximum of $560

Permit Fee Estimates

Construction Value¹	HVAC Permit Fee	Safety Codes Fee²	Total
Under $286,440.67	$169	$6.76	$175.76
$500,000	$295	$11.80	$306.80
$50,000,000	$29,500	$560	$30,060
$100,000,000	$59,000	$560	$59,560

Altering or Replacing an Existing System
2022 fees effective January 1, 2022

Project Type	HVAC Permit Fee	Safety Codes Fee¹	Total
Commercial building	$176 per unit or address	$7.04	$183.04 per unit or address
Multi-unit residential building	$114 per unit or address	$4.56	$118.56 per unit or address

⁽¹⁾ Construction value is defined as the total cost of materials and services. Construction value does not include: landscaping, parking lots, sidewalks, furnishings, appliances, interior window coverings, temporary service connections, insurance or bonding, interim financing, permit fees, professional consulting fees, GST.

⁽²⁾ Safety code fee is 4% of the permit cost with a minimum of $4.50 and a maximum of $560.00.

For more information see the 2022 Building and Trade Permit Fees (effective January 1, 2022).

Additional Fees

Permit Cancellation

Requests to cancel a permit once a permit has been issued are charged a $110 fee. Refunds must be greater than $10 to be processed.

Additional Inspection Fee
2022 fees effective January 1, 2022

Fee	Safety Codes Fee¹	Total
$270	$10.80	$280.80

The additional inspection fee is applied in each scenario:

(1) Deficiencies

Address not located on site, building, or suite as per City bylaws. For more information see Commercial Construction Address Sign Standards
Immediate building access not provided
Site is not safe to access
Project not ready for inspection
Incorrect type of inspection requested
A previously identified deficiency has not been corrected

(2) Repeated Inspections Due to Failures

The value of a permit includes two attempts to pass for a single type of inspection. The additional fee is charged for the third inspection and every subsequent inspection.

(3) Additional Inspections

The value of a permit includes a limited number of inspections. Additional inspections requested by contractors are charged an additional fee.

(4) Failure to Cancel an Inspection Prior to Deadline

Requests to cancel an inspection must be provided before noon on the business day prior to the inspection date.
If a request for cancellation is not provided prior to the deadline, the additional fee will be charged.

For more information see the 2022 Building and Trade Permit Fees .

Timelines

Permit Review Timelines

HVAC permit applications submitted in connection to a building permit are typically reviewed within 1-4 business days after the building permit is issued.

Stand-alone HVAC permit applications are reviewed to determine if a development permit and/or building permit is/are required. HVAC permit applications are typically reviewed within 2 business days.

Inspection Timelines

Request inspections by visiting the project dashboard in selfserve.edmonton.ca.
Inspections can be requested based on the capacity of a given day and are typically completed on the requested day.

Permits

Do I Need A Permit?

An HVAC permit is required when installing or altering heating and ventilation equipment.

HVAC equipment includes, but is not limited to: HVAC systems, make up air units, kitchen exhaust systems, heat pumps, air conditioning units, spray booth exhausts, dust collecting systems, ventilation systems.

An HVAC permit is not required for routine maintenance.

Stand-Alone Permits:

Most HVAC projects also require a building permit.
Many HVAC projects involving changes to the exterior of a building (including the roof) will require a development permit.

To apply for an HVAC stand-alone permit:

Apply for a development permit. Once you receive confirmation that a development permit is not required, proceed to the next step.
Apply for a building permit. Once you receive confirmation that a building permit is not required, proceed to the next step.
Apply for a stand-alone HVAC permit.

For more information see Section 11 of the City of Edmonton's Safety Codes Permit Bylaw 15894.

Stand-Alone HVAC Permits

A stand-alone HVAC permit is issued when the scope of the project does not require a building permit.

Stand-alone HVAC permits are rare:

Most HVAC projects will also require a building permit.
Many HVAC projects involving changes to the exterior of a building (including the roof) will require a development permit.

To apply for an HVAC stand alone permit:

Apply for a development permit. Once you receive confirmation that a development permit is not required, proceed to the next step.
Apply for a building permit. Once you receive confirmation that a building permit is not required, proceed to the next step.
Apply for a stand-alone HVAC permit.

Note: Permits applied in error will be refunded less a fee. See Additional Fees for more information.

Permit Application Requirements
Stand Alone HVAC permits applications must include:

Architectural drawings
Mechanical drawings

Who Can Apply for Permits?

Permit applicants must meet the following criteria:

Hold a valid business licence with the City of Edmonton
Be a ticketed journeyman registered with the City of Edmonton

To register a ticketed journeyman with the City of Edmonton email the following items to hvactechdesk@edmonton.ca:

Completed HVAC Contractor Journeyperson Form
City of Edmonton business licence number
Copy of sheet metal worker certification
Copy of a government-issued photo identification (driver's licence, passport, or similar ID)

Alternative Solutions / Variances

Variances or alternative solutions are installations, processes, equipment, or actions that are not consistent with the Alberta Safety Codes Act but provide an equal or greater level of safety.

Alternative solutions must be authorized by a Safety Codes Officer.

To obtain approval for an alternative solution submit the Variance/Alternative Solutions Request Form with your permit application.

Refunds and Contractor Changes

Cancellations/Refunds

To cancel your permit email the Cancellation/Refund Request form to hvactechdesk@edmonton.ca.

All requests to cancel a permit application are charged a fee. See Fees for more information.

Contractor Changes

Contractor changes can be completed online by the building permit applicant or assigned general contractor.

Note: If inspections have occurred under a listed contractor, a new permit is required to change contractors.

Apply for Your Permit

Application Form

Architectural drawings (stand alone HVAC permits)

Mechanical drawings (stand alone HVAC permits)

After You Apply

Work cannot be started until permits are issued. Starting construction without a permit can result in stop work orders, fines and/or administrative penalties.

Any major changes design changes must be submitted for review.

Request Your Inspection

The following information is required to request an inspection:

12-digit permit number. Example: 123456789-001 or correct site address

Site contact name and phone number

Note: Safety Codes Officers will not call ahead to provide notice of an inspection

Instructions for entry (lockbox code, directions to correct building, etc.)

Type of inspection requested

Specifics of the area to be inspected

For example: “Inspection requested for mechanical shafts on the west side of the building.”

Note: Pending request volumes, inspections may not occur on the date requested.

Request Online
To request by telephone, call 311 or 780-442-5311 if calling outside Edmonton.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I be notified when an inspection will occur?

Safety Codes Officers will not call ahead or provide advance notice of an inspection.

When requesting an inspection the site supervisors must ensure sites are available and access is immediate.

See Addressing, Access, Safety Checklists for more information.

Why was my inspection not conducted today?

Pending request volumes, inspections may not occur on the date requested.

Why did my inspection fail?

A deficiency report outlining the reasons for a failed inspection is sent immediately following the inspection.

For questions about the failed inspection report, call the HVAC technical advisor at 780-496-3118 with the following information:

A copy of the deficiency inspection
Permit number associated with the inspection

Note:

Deficiencies will not be detailed when more than 4 infractions are found.

Why was a deficiency not noticed by a previous inspector?

The purpose of a safety codes inspection is to provide a visual audit for compliance to applicable codes and standards.

Safety Codes Officers review select work site areas to conduct assessments.

Due to the “spot check” and “point in time” nature of inspections, Safety Codes Officers will not review all work in all areas.

Who should I contact for advice on fixing deficiencies?

The purpose of a safety codes inspection is to provide a visual audit for compliance to applicable codes and standards.

It is the responsibility of licensed professionals employed by contractors to ensure thorough knowledge and application of safety codes standards.

Safety Codes Officers:

Will confirm whether proposed (complete) solutions meet code standards
Will not provide advice related to technical questions

Contractors should consult with the mechanical engineer associated with the project to resolve technical questions.

When will my permit be issued?

Trade Permit Connected to Building Permit

When a trade permit is submitted in conjunction with a building permit, the following must be completed before the trade permit is issued:

permit application review is complete, and
all fees are paid

Consult with your building permit holder to determine the status of the building permit application.

Stand-Alone Trade Permit

When a permit is submitted for stand-alone work, the following must be completed before the trade permit is issued:

Application for a development permit and confirmation that a development is not required.
Application for a building permit and confirmation that a building permit is not required.

Note: Stand-alone trade permits submitted in error will be refunded less a fee. See Additional Fees for more information.

When does my permit expire?

Permits expire:

90 days from the date of permit issuance if construction has not started, or
24 months from the date of permit issuance

For More Information

Edmonton Service Centre

2nd Floor, 10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0J4

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

HVAC - Commercial Permits and Inspections

Important Information

Service Overview

New Construction
2022 fees effective January 1, 2022

Permit Fee Estimates

Altering or Replacing an Existing System
2022 fees effective January 1, 2022

Permits

Apply for Your Permit

Inspections

Request Your Inspection

Technical Information

Frequently Asked Questions

For More Information

Edmonton Service Centre

HVAC - Commercial Permits and Inspections

Important Information

Service Overview

New Construction 2022 fees effective January 1, 2022

Permit Fee Estimates

Altering or Replacing an Existing System 2022 fees effective January 1, 2022

Permits

Apply for Your Permit

Inspections

Request Your Inspection

Technical Information

Frequently Asked Questions

For More Information

Edmonton Service Centre

New Construction
2022 fees effective January 1, 2022

Altering or Replacing an Existing System
2022 fees effective January 1, 2022