Plumbing and Gas Permits - Commercial

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Plumbing and gas permit for new buildings and changes to existing:

Commercial, industrial, institutional or mixed-use (a blend of commercial and residential) buildings
Apartments/condos
Row houses with 5 or more dwelling units
Stacked row houses

Includes sprinkler systems, utility connections (sewer), fan coil replacements.

For plumbing or gas work inside a home see residential Plumbing Permit or Gas Permit.

Service Overview

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 plumbing permits and plumbing permits obtained in connection with a building permit.

2024 fees effective January 1, 2024

Project Type	Permit Fee	Safety Codes Fee ¹	Total
Commercial building	$180 per unit or address	$7.20	$187.20 per unit or address
Multi-unit residential building	$115 per unit or address	$4.60	$119.60 per unit or address

¹ Safety code fee is 4% of the permit cost with a minimum of $4.50 and a maximum of $560.

Gas 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 gas permits and gas permits obtained in connection with a building permit.

2024 fees effective January 1, 2024

Construction Value¹	Permit Fee	Safety Codes Fee²	Total
$0 - $15,000	$180	$7.20	$187.20
$15,001 - $500,000	$260	$10.40	$270.40
$500,001 - $1,000,000	$350	$14.00	$364.00
$1,000,001 - $5,000,000	$525	$21.00	$536.00
$5,000,001+	$870	$34.80	$904.80

¹Construction 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.

²Safety code fee is 4% of the permit cost with a minimum of $4.50 and a maximum of $560.

Additional Meters

The inspection cost for one meter is included in the permit fee. The inspection cost for each additional meter is listed below.

2024 fees effective January 1, 2024

Service	Permit Fee	Safety Codes Fee	Total
Additional Meter Inspection Fee	$47	$4.50	$51.50

Temporary Heat

2024 fees effective January 1, 2024

Project Type	Permit Fee	Safety Codes Fees	Total
Commercial, industrial, institutional, multi-family development	$180	$7.20	$187.20
Single unit in a multi-family development	$115	$4.60	$119.60

Timelines

Permit Timelines

Plumbing and gas permit applications submitted in connection to a building permit are typically reviewed within 1-2 business days after the building permit is issued.

Stand-alone plumbing and gas permit applications are reviewed to determine if a development permit and/or building permit is/are required. Plumbing and gas permit applications are typically reviewed within 1-2 business days.

Permits

Do I Need A Permit?

A plumbing or gas permit is required when installing or altering plumbing, drainage or gas equipment or infrastructure.

A permit is required when replacing large equipment such as furnaces, hot water tanks, rooftop units and make-up air units.

Permits are not required for general maintenance or replacing small fixtures such as toilets, taps or shower heads.

Maintenance means the like-for-like repair or replacement of worn or damaged building components or systems, including mechanical and electrical systems, for their preservation or upkeep but not their improvement, renovation, remodel or upgrade.

Stand-Alone Plumbing or Gas Permits

Apply for stand-alone plumbing and gas permits only where the project is limited to: the plumbing and gas work; renovations and additions to an existing plumbing or gas system.

Where the work includes other interior or exterior alterations, apply for a plumbing or gas permit together with the appropriate building permit type:

As part of a New Commercial Building Permit application for any new building not included above; or
A Change to Existing Building Permit application for any existing building not included above

No fee refunds will be given if a standalone trade permit is applied for when trade permits should be included as part of the building permit project.

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

Stand-alone permits are rare. Most projects will also require a building permit.

A stand-alone permit application will be reviewed to ensure a development permit and/or building permit is/are not required.

Who Can Apply for Permits?

Permit applicants must meet the following criteria:

Hold a valid business licence with the City of Edmonton
Be a certified plumber or gas fitter registered with the City of Edmonton

To register a certified plumber or gas fitter with the City of Edmonton, sign up for a Self Serve Business or Organization account. This will include emailing the completed Plumbing and Gas Contractor Journeyperson Registration form with a copy of the journeyperson certificate to plumbingandgastechdesk@edmonton.ca.

Refunds and Contractor Changes

Cancellations/Refunds

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

All requests to cancel a permit application are charged a fee. See Additional 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

Permit Application Requirements for Gas Permits:

BTU load calculation (gas permits only)
For furnace replacement, download and complete the fillable Gas Permit Details for Furnace Replacement Application form
For new installation of other gas appliances, download and complete the fillabe Gas Permit Details for New Gas Appliance Application form

Apply Online
To apply in person visit the Edmonton Service Centre. Ensure to bring:

Application Form
BTU load calculation (gas permits only)

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.

Inspections

After your project has progressed to the right stage, you must request that a Safety Codes inspector visit your site.

Failure to complete required inspections may result in you having to remove finished walls and/or additional inspection costs and delays.

All required inspections for a project are listed in SelfServe after issuing a permit. You can request, cancel, or reschedule them there. You can also request inspections by calling 311 (outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311).

Deviation from reviewed plans cannot be endorsed on-site. When work completed does not match the reviewed plans, revised plans must be submitted for additional review.

Review the Commercial Inspections page to learn:

How to prepare for your inspection by displaying the address, providing safe access and having the reviewed permit documents printed on site for reference by the inspector
At which stages to request inspections
How to request inspections
What to expect during each inspection type

Technical Information

Temporary Heat on Construction Sites

Temporary heat permits are required for temporary heat sources on construction sites. Permits allow the use of natural gas, propane or electricity to be used as a temporary heating source. The permit holder is responsible for ensuring that only approved equipment is installed by a certified installer in a safe manner.

Permits are to be applied for in conjunction with the applicable building permit. The subcontractor is not to apply for a standalone permit unless a rental company is managing the setup/installation/rental of the entire system.

Temporary Gas Permit Option (Natural Gas or Propane)

The temporary gas permit option can be included in the building permit application for a commercial final permit and is automatically available in a new house permit application. The subcontractor is not to apply for a standalone permit unless it is a rental company that is managing the setup/installation/rental of the entire system. In that case, they may apply for a standalone gas permit.

Like all other trade permits, this permit will be listed in the project self-serve dashboard under the applicable building permit. If this permit was not selected at the time of permit application, it can be added later with applicable fees.

If natural gas or propane is the fuel source, a gas fitter must be assigned to the permit as these installations fall under the requirements of the B149.1 gas code.

This is a requirement even if using a quick-connect system for temporary heating appliances. The building permit holder needs to manage this temporary heat permit and assign it to the chosen subcontractor. The subcontractor will be automatically notified and asked to complete some permit application details, including the fuel type.

Once the trade permit application is completed and submitted, City staff will review and issue the permit.

If you are constructing a garage or garden suite and require a different heating source due to site limitations, a stand-alone temporary heat permit would be required for that installation.

If you are having a different fuel source at the onset of your build and anticipate switching to natural gas as the proprietary heating source when the service becomes available to that property, you will require a stand-alone permit for the first installation of heating equipment.

Temporary Natural Gas

After the temporary gas permit is issued, the permit holder requests a construction meter from ATCO, the utility provider. Once the temporary heater and lines have been installed, the building permit holder is to request an inspection in the self-serve dashboard of the project. The temporary gas system (propane or natural gas) can be energized without waiting for an inspection of the work. Inspections must be requested for all installations. Failure to follow permit conditions may result in penalties.

Temporary Propane

After the temporary gas permit has been issued, the temporary heat source may be installed. The gas system (propane or natural gas) can be energized without waiting for an inspection of the work. Inspections must be requested for all installations. Failure to follow permit conditions may result in penalties.

Please note:

Propane tanks, cylinders and hoses must be protected from vehicles and moving equipment through the placement of approved barriers
Propane cylinders must always remain upright and must be moved by using designated equipment and methods; and
Placement of propane tanks and cylinders must comply with clearance requirements from doors or windows, property lines and ignition sources

After the temporary heater, lines and tank have been installed, the building permit holder must request an inspection in the self-serve dashboard of the project. Installations must meet the applicable requirements of the CSA B149 Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code and the Safety Codes Act.

The Safety Codes Council provides additional information on temporary propane heat:

Temporary Propane Heat (web page)
Temporary Propane Heat for Construction Sites (brochure)
Safe Temporary Propane Heat for Construction Sites (video)

Violations and Infractions

A temporary construction meter is a privileged arrangement between the City of Edmonton and the utility provider. The City or the utility provider reserves the right to suspend temporary meter privileges for 90 days for a first-time offence and 180 days for repeat offences if an installation is found to violate the requirements listed above.

Common infractions include but are not limited to:

Crossing property lines with equipment supply piping
Failing to adequately protect gas equipment supply lines
Installations by non-certified installers
Unsafe electrical connections
Failing to call inspections
Failing to obtain permits

We recognize that a row house or multi-storey building may require temporary connections that may be susceptible to crossing property lines within the predetermined utility corridor from a set of banked meters. Each line is to terminate at a heating appliance or, in the case of a multi-storey building, at a manifold with shutoff valves for each outlet.

For information about the temporary electric heat permit option, review the Electrical page.

Gas Appliances

All gas appliances must be derated for high-altitudes.

When used gas appliances are being installed, the Used Gas Appliance Form must be:

Submitted a minimum 2 business days prior to the rough-in inspection
Available on-site during rough-in and final inspections

Automatic Shut-Off Taps

Automatic shut-off taps are required in the following circumstances:

Any washroom accessible to the public
- Note: employee washrooms are considered public washrooms

Automatic shut-off taps are not required:

Hotel rooms
Motel rooms
Executive CEO washrooms

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.

Resources

National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015
Gas Codes and Standards
Government of Alberta Municipal Affairs
Alberta Safety Codes Council

Frequently Asked Questions

When will my permit be issued?

Trade Permit Connected to Building Permit

Plumbing and gas permit applications submitted in connection to a building permit are typically reviewed within 1-2 business days after the building permit is issued.

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.

Contact Us

Edmonton Service Centre

Hours of Operation:
8am-4:30pm
Monday - Friday (by appointment)

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

Email	plumbingandgastechdesk@edmonton.ca