Please submit all development and building permit applications, as well as compliance certificate requests, to the Town’s Municipal Government Building at 5012 48 Avenue, Sylvan Lake.
T 403 864 5557
In addition to our building and development permits, applications are also required for the following:
Land Use Bylaw
The Land Use Bylaw governs how land is used and developed in Sylvan Lake.
Building Permits
A building permit is written approval by the Town that building plans meet the Alberta Building and Safety Codes Act. A licensed Safety Codes Inspector inspects all building permits.
You may need a building permit if you are:
- Building, adding to, or renovating a building;
- Demolishing a building;
- Putting up a sign (certain types);
- Changing the use or occupancy of a building;
- Installing a swimming pool or hot tub;
- Installing a wood burning fire place; or
- Building a deck of 24 inches or higher above the ground.
Apply for a building permit at our office, 5012 - 48 Avenue. Application requirements are outlined within each category below.
- All contractors must have, or obtain a valid Town of Sylvan Lake business license;
- For building code questions, please contact a building inspector at 403 358 5545
- Please see the Safety Codes Services Fee Bylaw 1900/2024
Development Permits
You are required to have a valid development permit before you can apply for a building permit to construct a building or structure, or to apply for a business license.
You may need a development permit if you are:
- Constructing a new building;
- Adding onto or renovating an existing building;
- Demolishing an existing building;
- Changing the use of a building;
- Considering a cannabis retail store;
- Putting up a sign; or
- Installing an in-ground swimming pool or hot tub.
Apply for a development permit at our office, 5012 - 48 Avenue. Application forms are fully fillable and requirements are outlined within each category below.
Abandoned Wells Declaration
The Alberta Municipal Government Act Subdivision and Development Regulations requires a developer and/or property owner applying for a subdivision or development permit to identify the location of any abandoned oil or gas wells that are in close proximity to the proposed development. An Abandoned Wells Declaration form, and accompanying map must be completed and attach to all subdivision applications and development permit applications for any new building or additions greater than 47 m² (505 ft²).
Water Access Platform
Water access platforms are permitted within the Marina Bay Residential District (RMB) provided they meet the Land Use Bylaw requirements. A development permit is required for any water access platform in this district.
Residential building and development
Most residential development including new home construction, home improvements such as garages, decks, or sheds, and demolition require a development permit and/or a building permit.
All new residential dwellings, or renovations to existing dwellings, require a development permit from the Town prior to starting any work.
To apply you need:
- Application form for single detached dwellings, duplexes, triplexes and four-plexes; or
- Application form for multi-residential development (row houses, stacked row houses, and apartments).
- A completed building permit application form (for each unit);
- Three sets of plans for each unit (no larger than 11" x 17"). One (1) with the Development Permit Application and two (2) with the Building Permit Application;
- New Home Warranty certificate for all new residential buildings submitted with the Building Permit Application (you can visit homewarranty.alberta.ca for more information);
- National Energy Code for Buildings Compliance Report submitted with the Building Permit Application;
- Fee payment;
- Architectural controls approval submitted with the Development Permit Application (if applicable);
- A building grade certificate (signed), or grade plan submitted with the Development Permit Application;
- A current title (less than 30 days old);
- Fire Safety Plan (complete and signed) submitted with the Building Permit Application
Your plans must include:
- A site plan (for each unit) including parking stall locations and dimensions;
- A building floor plan (for each unit);
- Building elevations (for each unit) including colours and finishing materials;
- A landscape plan, if more than four dwelling units, or multi-residential development;
- Foundation plan;
- Building cross sections;
- Roof truss layouts (can be on site at the framing stage).
Our Development Officer assigns civic addressing when a development permit is issued. Civic addressing must be assigned before a building permit can be issued for all new duplex or multi-unit dwellings.
All accessory buildings, including detached garages, sheds, carports, gazebos, green houses, and playhouses larger than 107.6 square feet (10 metres2), and over 8.2 feet (2.5 metres) in height, need permits.
Information on building placement and setbacks are found in our garage and shed brochure.
To apply you need:
- A completed development permit application form;
- A completed building permit application form;
- Three sets of plans (no larger than 11" x 17") one (1) with the Development Permit Application and two (2) with the Building Permit Application ;
- A completed garage worksheet (for Building Permit Application);
- A site plan showing the accessory building, including size, and distances from property lines;
- Building elevations;
- A building grade certificate, or grade plan;
- Fee payment;
- A current title (less than 30 days old);
- Fire Safety Plan (completed and signed) for buildings over 240 square feet (22.3 square meters).
Accessory buildings are not allowed to encroach over any utility right-of-ways.
Locate underground utilities. Please call Utility Safety Partners (formerly Alberta One Call) before building at 1 800 242 3447 or www.utilitysafety.ca
Decks less than 24 inches (0.6 metres) from grade, do not need a permit; however, the deck must keep the minimum setback distances from property lines. If the deck is ground-level (less than one foot high), we consider this a patio, and do not require a permit. Patios may extend to the property line.
A deck 24 inches (0.6 metres) or taller from the ground, requires a permit.
To apply you need:
- A completed development permit application form;
- A completed building permit application form;
- A completed deck worksheet;
- A site plan showing the proposed deck, including deck size, and distances from property lines;
- Fee payment;
- A current title (less than 30 days old).
A permit is not required to build a fence provided it meets the following:
- The maximum height of a fence in the back yard is 6.56 feet (2.0 metres);
- The maximum height of a fence in the front yard is 3.28 feet (1.0 metre);
- The fence is fully within your property lines.
More information regarding fences can be found in our fence brochure.
Ensure your fence is located on or within your property lines. To determine your property lines, you can use your Real Property Report to assist in locating property lines. Fences are not allowed to encroach on municipal land.
Please contact Utility Safety Partners (formerly Alberta One Call) at 1 800 242 3447 or www.utilitysafety.ca to locate underground utility lines.
If you are developing or renovating your basement you need a building permit. A development permit is not required for basement development, unless you are installing a new exterior entrance, new windows, or any other changes that affect the exterior of the building. Application requirements for basement development vary from those of a secondary suite. If you would like to construct a secondary suite, which is a separate self-contained dwelling unit within the residence, please refer to the Garage and Secondary Suites section.
To apply you need:
- A completed building permit application form;
- Two (2) sets of plans (no larger than 11" x 17");
- Fee payment;
- A current title (less than 30 days old);
- Fire Safety Plan (completed and signed).
Your basement plans must include a basement floor plan identifying each room, and indicating the size of rooms and the size of windows in any bedrooms.
If your basement was previously finished without proper permits, you may still apply for the permits. Requirements for this process are the same as those associated with a new application. You may be required to expose concealed framing.
Garage and Secondary Suites
All garage suites and secondary suites need permits. Regulations for garage suites and secondary suites are defined in the Land Use Bylaw.
If you want to develop a secondary suite, or legalize an existing suite, you need a development permit and a building permit.
A secondary suite is a separate and subordinate dwelling unit contained within a detached dwelling, and that meets the requirements of the Land Use Bylaw. Please see our Secondary Suites Map.
To apply you need:
- A completed development permit application form;
- A completed building permit application form;
- A site plan showing all parking stalls with their measurements as well as the suite entrance;
- A floor plan of the suite and main floor;
- Fee payment;
- A current title (less than 30 days old)
- Fire Safety Plan (completed and signed).
The Alberta Building and Safety Codes Act has important safety requirements for secondary suites, and we recommend that you contact a Safety Codes Officer, 403 358 5545, for more information.
A garage suite is a dwelling unit, contained within a detached garage, and that meets the requirements of theLand Use Bylaw.
To apply you need:
- A completed development permit application form;
- A completed building permit application form;
- A site plan showing the detached garage, the size, all parking stalls with their measurements as well as the suite entrance;
- A floor plan of the suite and the garage;
- Building elevations;
- Architectural controls approval (if applicable);
- A building grade certificate or grade plan;
- Fee payment;
- A current title (less than 30 days old);
- Fire Safety Plan (completed and signed).
All secondary suites and garage suites are required to comply with the Province of Alberta's Building and Safety Codes Act, as well as the Fire Code.
Commercial, industrial and institutional building and development
A development and building permit are always needed for the construction, exterior renovation, or demolition of any commercial, industrial or institutional building. Interior renovations may also require a building permit.
If you are moving your business to a new location you may be required to submit one or more of the following applications including a development permit, sign permit and building permit. A development permit is required if there is a change in use (the use of the building). If the use you are proposing is not listed within the land use district (zone), a permit cannot be approved. Please contact the Planning and Development Department directly, as we are happy to advise you which uses are considered under a district and which permits you will require.
To apply you need:
- A completed development permit change in use form;
- A completed building permit application form (if applicable);
- A completed business license application form;
- A site plan of the property showing all parking stalls;
- Interior floor plan;
- Details about the business;
- Fee payment;
- Fire Safety Plan (if required); and
- Authorization from the property owner, and/or a current title (less than 30 days old).
To apply you need:
- For a commercial, industrial or institutional please submit a completed development permit application form:
- A completed building permit application form;
- Three sets of plans (no larger than 11" x 17");
- National Energy Code for Buildings Compliance Report;
- Fee payment;
- Architectural controls approval (if applicable);
- A building grade certificate (signed), or grade plan;
- A current title (less than 30 days old);
- Fire Safety Plan (completed and signed).
The plans must include:
- A site plan, including parking stall locations and dimensions;
- A building floor plan;
- Building elevations, including colours and finishing materials;
- A landscape plan;
- Foundation plan;
- Building cross sections;
- Roof truss layouts (can be on site at the framing stage).
Demolition permits
A demolition permit is a form of both a development permit and building permit, to approve the demolition, or move of a building from a site. A demolition permit ensures that the services are disconnected prior to demolition, and that the site is safe during and after demolition. The process also takes into consideration the preservation of existing trees.
- A completed demolition application form;
- A completed building permit application form;
- Photographs of the front and rear elevations of the building to be removed, and any existing trees;
- Fee payment;
- A current title (less than 30 days old);
- Fire Safety Plan (completed and signed).
If you are relocating a house within the Town of Sylvan Lake, a development permit and building permit is required for the new location.
Building movers are required to obtain a permit from the Public Works Department, 403 887 2800, when transporting a building on public roads.
Signage permits
Most signs require a sign permit, but some exceptions exist. For signage rules please review our Land Use Bylaw. A building permit may also be required so please contact Planning and Development to enquire.
- A completed sign permit application form;
- A completed building permit application form (where required);
- A drawing or picture of the sign showing what it will look like and all dimensions;
- A drawing showing the proposed sign location, either on the building, or property with all dimensions and distances from the property lines;
- Fee payment;
- Authorization from the property owner and/or a current title (less than 30 days old).
Home Occupation permits
Sylvan Lake has three Home Occupation classifications:
The secondary use of a principle dwelling unit by a permanent resident of the dwelling to conduct business activity or an occupation.
- The business should not create additional traffic or be noticeable from the outside of the dwelling. Example: professional and office services (office only).
To apply for a Home Occupation Type 'A' you will need:
- A completed Home Occupation Business License application form.
The secondary use of a principle dwelling unit by at least one permanent resident of the dwelling to conduct business activity or an occupation.
- The business may have up to six associated client visits per day, but not employ any non-residents.
To apply for a Home Occupation Type 'B' you need:
- A completed Home Occupation Business License;
- A parking plan showing the number of parking stalls and dimensions;
- Details of your business;
- Fee payment;
- A current title (less than 30 days old).
The secondary use of a principle dwelling unit, its accessory buildings and site or combinations thereof, by at least one permanent resident of the dwelling to conduct business activity or an occupation.
- This business may create additional traffic; and
- May employ one non-resident.
To apply for a Home Occupation Type 'C' you need:
- A completed Home Occupation Business License;
- A parking plan showing the number of parking stalls and dimensions;
- Details of your business;
- Fee payment;
- A current title (less than 30 days old).
Appeals
An applicant has the right to appeal any decision by the Development Officer, or Municipal Planning Commission, including an approval with conditions or a refusal of a development permit application. The public may also appeal a decision, typically where a decision involves the use of discretion, or a variance of a regulation in the Land Use Bylaw.
- Our Subdivision and Development Appeal Board) SDAB, receives development appeals;
- You must file your appeal, along with the required fee to the SDAB, within the appeal period;
- You may contact Legislative Services for more information, 403 887 2141.
Our Development Officers review permitted use development permit applications, and providing the development meets all regulations of the Land Use Bylaw, may issue approval with, or without conditions. If a variance or relaxation is required for a permitted use, the application is then treated in the same manner as a discretionary use (see below).
- All decisions regarding development permits are advertised on our Development Approvals page.
Our Development Officers review all discretionary use development permit applications, and may either issue an approval with, or without conditions or refer the application to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) for decision.
- All decisions regarding development permits are advertised on our Development Approvals page.