Online Services - Self-serve Help

How do I register to use the Self-Serve website for online permitting?

To create an account, click Sign Up at selfserve.edmonton.ca.

Troubles logging in?

Click the “Forgot username and/or password” button at selfserve.edmonton.ca. If an account is registered to the email provided, you will receive a link via email to reset the password. If you encounter any issues, please email the request to eservices@edmonton.ca.

How can I change the email on my account?

Click the "Change Email" button under the My Profile section in your accounts drop down menu.

How can I change the company name or account type on my Self-Serve account?

Please email the request to eservices@edmonton.ca.

How do I find my customer ID?

The customer ID can be found on business accounts under the My Profile section in your accounts drop down menu, under Account Information.

How can I pay for a permit on Self-Serve?

Payment can be made by logging into your Self-Serve account and clicking on the permit. When fees are owing, an option to make payment will appear. If you do not see the permit on your portal, contact the applicant to list you as a team member with access to either edit or manage a project. Once listed, the permit will appear on your portal.

I would like to pay for a permit on Self-Serve, however I do not wish to use Visa or MasterCard. Are there other options available?

All online permit applications must be paid for online using either Visa or MasterCard. If you do not wish to pay online, payment can be made at the Edmonton Service Centre as a walk-in customer or book a payment appointment.

When I pay online, do City employees see my credit card number? Is my credit card number stored on the City's files?

No. When you pay online, the City of Edmonton cannot access your credit card number and the number is not stored in the records.

Why must I provide the cardholder name and email address?

The system sends the receipt to the email address that you provide. This is your proof of payment. The City uses the cardholder name when there is a need to trace a credit card transaction because the City does not have access to your credit card number.

My credit card payment was declined. What can I do?

Check that your credit card number and expiry date are correctly keyed. If the problem persists, check with your credit card company. The City is unaware of the reason for the decline. It may help to print the Transaction Declined screen.

If your card was declined, your permit remains in the 'New' status, and inspections can not be scheduled. Until the credit card payment problem is resolved, you can pay at the Edmonton Service Centre as a walk-in customer or book a payment appointment.

When a credit card payment is declined, a receipt is not prepared. No message is sent to your email account.

Can I make changes to the contractors on my project using Self-Serve?

The applicant and/or manager of a project can make Contractor changes through their portal prior to the commencement of inspections. Once inspections have commenced, a Contractor Change Request form is required.

I encountered difficulties submitting a permit application on Self-Serve. How can I check if the application was submitted?

You can check the status of your draft on your dashboard. The draft will show a status on the right hand side which will indicate whether it is submitted/in review or if it is still a “draft”. If you encounter any issues, please reach out to eservices@edmonton.ca.

How do I delete an unwanted draft?

Open the draft and select the “Cancel Application” button (top right hand corner).

How do I respond to a More Information Request?

When information is requested by city staff, those listed on the project with applicable access will be advised via email with instructions. To learn how to reply to a more information request in selfserve.edmonton.ca, see the More Information Requested (MIR) guide.

Can I request a permit revision?

Yes, after a Development or Building Permit is issued you can request a revision. To learn how to request a revision, see the Permit Revision guide.

Can I give other accounts access to view and work on my projects?

Yes, a Team Settings feature is available on Self-Serve where the permit holder can add team members on the permit application. 

Do I need an address to apply for a permit?

Yes. For online applications, an address is required to apply for a permit.

If I am the subcontractor on a house building permit, do I need to apply for a separate subcontractor permit?

No. The house building permit and multi-family row housing permit covers the subcontractor's work. You do not have to pay permit fees because the builder has paid for all the subcontractor's permits (plumbing, gas, HVAC, electrical).

Can I do a legal address search?

Yes. Legal address searches are provided by the City's interactive map service. Select Legal Description, then search by Plan No. and Block (specify the legal address of interest).

Can I search for the address of any permit?

Yes. You can search all permits provided by the City's interactive map service. Enter the date range, area (neighbourhood or city wide), and application type.

Who do I contact regarding my trade permits and inspections?

Please see the applicable technical desk contact information below for support:
HVAC: 780-496-3118 or hvactechdesk@edmonton.ca
Plumbing & Gas: 780-496-3117 or plumbingandgastechdesk@edmonton.ca
Electrical: 780-496-6674 or electricaltechnicaladvisors@edmonton.ca

How do I book an inspection?

Inspections can be booked on selfserve.edmonton.ca through the applicant portal and anyone listed as a team member with access to manage or edit. Simply log in, click on the desired project and navigate to the Inspections tab for the option to schedule any available inspections. Alternatively, inspections can be booked by calling 780-442-5054 or 311.

How do I view inspection results?

Inspection results can be viewed under the Inspections tab by selecting the Results button on the applicable inspection.

How do I cancel an inspection?

To cancel an inspection, navigate to the Inspections tab and select the Cancel button next to the applicable inspection.

I have scheduled a future-dated inspection and now wish to adjust that date. What should I do?

If the inspection scheduled is more than one business day away, you can cancel it on Self-Serve by navigating to the Inspections tab and selecting the Cancel button next to the applicable inspection. If the inspection scheduled is within one business day, call 780-442-5054 or 311 to reschedule.

If there are multiple redundant/duplicate trade permits that I do not need, what do I do?

If you are unable to cancel a permit on Self-Serve, please contact the relevant section below:
HVAC: 780-496-3118 or hvactechdesk@edmonton.ca
Plumbing & Gas: 780-496-3117 or plumbingandgastechdesk@edmonton.ca
Electrical: 780-496-6674 or electricaltechnicaladvisors@edmonton.ca

The City has modified an address after the permit was issued, causing an obsolete address to appear when booking an inspection. How do I know if an address change has occurred?

This is particularly a problem when the unit numbering of a multiple family row housing complex changes. Sometimes the inspection results are defined against the wrong unit. If inspections and unit numbers are mixed up, please contact 780-442-5054. If you hear that address changes have occurred, you can ask the Development Officer for a copy of the official row housing addressing plan. If you are unsure what the correct address is, you can also find the address of the lot by using the City's interactive map.

If my company is not the only subcontractor on the building permit, will I be able to see the inspection results of the other firms?

You do not have access to see the permits of other subcontractors. You can only see the permits that have you listed as the subcontractor.

Can I book a final building inspection before the final plumbing, gas, heating and ventilation inspections?

Yes, you can request a final building inspection before the final heating, ventilation, plumbing and gas inspections. Each contractor is responsible for requesting their discipline's inspections. For residential housing, the general contractor is responsible for scheduling inspections for all the trades.

I scheduled an inspection for the following workday, but the inspection did not occur. What went wrong?

Development Services, on a ‘best efforts' basis, attempts to provide the requested inspections on the next business day. Sometimes a given day's workload is too high, and some inspections must be rescheduled.