What it means
In Alberta, building work is regulated under the Safety Codes system. Building permits are issued by the municipality or an accredited agency, and separate permits may apply for electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC work. Drawings are reviewed, and inspections take place as work progresses.
What requires a permit and what the review involves vary by municipality and by scope.
Why it matters
Starting work without a required permit can lead to stop-work orders, fines and difficulty with insurance, sale or lease. Review times also affect the schedule, so permit applications should begin as early as the design allows.
Owners should know who applies, who pays and who coordinates the inspections.
How HSM handles it
HSM prepares and submits permit applications as part of our design-build service, and our engineering group makes sure the drawings meet the applicable code before submission. We hold the electrical, mechanical and other permits for the work our crews perform, and we book inspections ourselves.
Because our trades are in house, inspectors meet the people who did the work, and any corrections are made by the same crew. We keep the owner informed of review status and conditions of approval.
What to plan for
Allow time for review in the schedule, particularly for larger or more complex projects, and share any landlord approvals early. Permit conditions can affect design, so review them with us when they arrive.
Do not assume a small change needs no permit. Ask us before you start any work, even minor, and we will tell you whether municipal approval applies.