- Residential and commercial construction, including new building construction 10 square meters (107 square feet) or more in area.
- Demolition, repair, relocation, alterations (changes) or additions to an existing building or structure.
- Construction of a foundation to support a building or structure, regardless of size.
- Basement development in existing buildings.
- Addition of a secondary suite in a dwelling.
- Construction of, or changes to, structures such as garages, decks, mobile homes, or swimming pools (in ground or above ground).
- Addition of a seacan which is 10 square meters (107 sq.ft.) or more in area to any property.
- Solar panels attached to any building (residential, accessory, commercial).
- Hot tubs and ponds greater than 0.6 meters (2 feet) deep.
- Retaining walls over 0.6 meters (2 feet) in height.
- Decks over 0.6 meters (2 feet) above grade, and roof enclosures over existing or new decks or carports.
- An event tent, or group of tents, collectively 60 square meters (646 square feet) or more in area, or closer than 3 meters (10 feet) to any structure, or which contain commercial cooking equipment.
- Change of occupancy or use of an existing building. Generally applies to non-residential buildings; for example, an office becomes a health facility, or a retail store becomes a restaurant.
Building Permits
It allows the construction or demolition of structures contingent on meeting the requirements of the Alberta Building Code. It gives authorization to erect, demolish, relocate, alter or repair a structure, or change the use or occupancy of a space within Medicine Hat.
Building permit applications are reviewed for compliance with the National Building Code - Alberta Edition by a Safety Codes Officer to ensure that our built environment is safe.
A building permit is required for:
- Addition of a secondary suite in a dwelling.
A building permit is not required for:
How long will it take to approve permits?
- Building permits: Typically within 15 business days, provided that an approved Development permit (if required) has been issued. The timeline of a Building permit application will increase if amendments or resubmissions are needed from the applicant.
- Trade permits: Typically within 5 business days, provided the associated Building permit (if required) has been issued.
Extending a permit
If you have already received a City permit for building, plumbing, electrical, gas or HVAC work, but are not able to complete the work during the time period, you may apply online for an extension of your permit.
- You cannot extend a permit that has already expired.
- You cannot extend a permit more than once.
- You cannot extend a permit more than one year beyond the original expiration date.
Contact Us
Planning & Development Services
580 1 St SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
403-529-8374
Email us
Stay up to date.
Subscribe to eNotifications to stay connected with City of Medicine Hat news, activities, events, programs, operations and more.