New Home Construction

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Building a new home requires several types of permits, including a Development Permit and a Building Permit.

Proposed Zoning Bylaw Changes Affecting Row Housing

Please be advised that City Council is considering proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments at a Public Hearing on June 30. The proposed regulations will impact the design and setback requirements for most row housing in the Small Scale Residential (RS) Zone and may affect other forms of development. If approved by City Council, any application that is approved June 30 and onwards must comply with the new regulations. For more information, review the handout.

Before you begin, review all of the requirements below for a complete application.

Preparing to Apply

Review the Zoning Regulations

Not all residential properties have the same zoning regulations. Your proposed project will need to fit with the zoning regulations of the area where you plan to build.

To confirm a project’s property zoning, use the City of Edmonton’s interactive zoning map.

Go to maps.edmonton.ca
Enter the property’s address in the fields on the left and click ‘Find Address’
The property’s ‘Current Zone’ and ‘Overlays’ will be highlighted.

Type of development, lot dimensions, lot area and placement of buildings will all be assessed before your project can be approved, as part of the Development Permit application.

Use the Listing of Historic Resources to help determine if there may be a historic resource concern in your proposed project area. For more information on how to receive Historical Resources Act approval for a development project, visit the Government of Alberta’s website.

New House Permits in Developing Areas

The City uses an interactive Auto-Review tool on selfserve.edmonton.ca for single and semi-detached developments in small-scale flex residential zones. Auto-Review enables applicants to verify that they comply with applicable zoning regulations. Where an application complies with the Auto-Review criteria, the Development Permit can be issued within minutes, saving you time. Learn more by visiting the house permit application requirements page.

Low-Density Infill Development Pre-Application Meeting

Pre-application meetings are available for new low-density infill developments. The purpose of a pre-application meeting is to help you submit a well-informed development permit application, such as required application documents, variances to the Zoning Bylaw, and to give other feedback.

2025 Low-Density Infill Development Pre-Application Meeting Fees (effective January 1, 2025): $190

Visit the pre-application meetings page to request a pre-application meeting.

Applications for Single Detached, Semi-detached and Row Houses (Up to 4 Principal Dwellings)

With or without a Secondary Suite

Application Requirements

For complete submission details for house permits including Single detached, Semi-detached, Duplex, Row Houses, and Backyard House, consult the application requirements.

Online Application

Apply

If you have not already registered, "Sign Up" after you click "Apply" above. You will be able to access your applications and apply for permits at any time.

In-person Application

Drop off or mail in your application to the Mail Room at the Edmonton Service Centre.

New House Permit Paper Application Form

Footing and Foundation Only Building Permit Application (Optional)

Payment Options

Full payment must be made at the time of application.

Fees:

2025 Single Detached House Permit Fees (Effective January 1, 2025)

Online

Payment can be made online during the application process using Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

In Person/By mail (cheque only):

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

Over the phone:

311 or, if outside of Edmonton, 780-442-5311

After You Apply

The Development Process

The basic development process involves the following steps:

Review: City staff will review all development applications and building plans.

Approve/Refuse: Development permits must comply with zoning regulations and building permits must comply with all applicable safety codes.

Construct: You may start building once you have the approved Development Permit and issued Building Permit.

Inspect: Projects must undergo specific inspections to audit construction. An Occupancy Permit will be emailed to the permit holder following successful completion of all mandatory inspections. See the Residential Inspections page to learn how to prepare, when to request and what to expect during inspections.

Construction Site Management

The Working With Neighbourhoods webpage provides a list of resources and tips for best practices for building.

Prepare your Project Implementation Plan.

Temporary use or crossing of the road right-of-way for demolition, deliveries, and construction requires On-Street Construction and Maintenance (OSCAM) Permits. This is to ensure you are not damaging the boulevard, sidewalk or City-owned trees while you access your site. You should apply for your OSCAM Permit once your Demolition or Building Permit applications have been submitted.

More Information Required

City staff may request additional information at various stages of the Development Permit and Building Permit process. To learn how to reply to a more information request in selfserve.edmonton.ca, see the More Information Requested (MIR) Guide.

Changes or Revisions

Changes and revisions can be submitted at various stages of the process.

To make changes before a Development Permit or Building Permit is issued, consult with the City staff assigned to your file.

After a Development Permit or Building Permit is issued, request Permit Revisions in selfserve.edmonton.ca.

Note: some changes after construction begins may be made without engaging in the Permit Revision process. For details, review Part 9 Project Product Swap and Plan Revision Procedure .

Submit blower door rest results to BPRevisions@edmonton.ca.

Review your permit conditions or the 9.36 section of Energy Code Requirements for ways to resolve Energy Efficiency deviations.

Application Processing Times

Overall application processing times can be found on the development and construction application processing times web page in the New Home Construction Permits section. Visit the building permit queue time web page for general building permit processing wait times or check the status of your specific application by visiting the project dashboard in selfserve.edmonton.ca.

Inspections

Lot Grading Inspections

A Lot Grading Plan is one component of a Development and/or Building Permit approval, and if an approved plan does not exist then a proposed Lot Grading Plan must be submitted as part of the development application.

During the construction phase, the owner/project manager must ensure that the site is configured to provide interim control of surface drainage to ensure that adjacent private properties are not impacted by stormwater run-off from the site. At the completion of the proposed development, the applicant must submit a grade certificate to apply for grading approval.

For more information, please visit the lot grading page.

Safety Codes Inspections

Safety Codes inspections are conducted throughout each phase of construction and prior to occupancy.

Inspections allow for proactive and reactive adjustments during construction projects, ensuring minimum code requirements are satisfied.

Every permit holder is responsible for requesting inspections at specific stages of construction. Inspections are completed by City of Edmonton Safety Codes Officers who work to educate builders, tradespeople and citizens, investigate issues, and enforce relevant bylaws, regulations and acts. These expert staff members ensure that construction complies with requirements set out in the Alberta Building Code, National Energy Code and other relevant Codes and Standards.

Required inspections are included in the permit cost. However, additional inspections resulting from deficient work will incur a fee. An Occupancy Permit will be emailed to the permit holder following successful completion of all mandatory inspections. White stickers will no longer be left on site.

For inspection information on inspections or to request an inspection, visit Safety Codes Inspection Services.

Development Permit Inspection

A Development Permit Inspection may occur for select residential sites to confirm that new construction is completed in accordance with an approved Development Permit.

Inspections are scheduled automatically and may occur at any point during construction.

Development Permit Inspections

Landscape Inspection

Landscape inspections are required for some residential developments. Applicants are notified at the Development Permit stage about landscaping requirements. See Landscaping for Non-Residential, Large Scale Residential (5+ Units) and Mixed Use Developments for details.

Need Help?

Contact our Development Services team to get help with your project.

For General Questions

Appointments
Book an appointment for general questions about your project and the permit requirements.

Phone
311 (outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311)