Building Permits and Development Permits

Before You Start

The Town of Olds issues two different types of permits for most projects:

  1. Electrical, gas, and plumbing work need separate permits not issued by the Town. Learn more about Safety Codes here.
  2. Submit the application with all required plans to the Planning Department via the online portal.
  3. If you will be digging, request utility locates. Locates must be available on site while work is being done. Please obtain line locates before digging:
  1. Commercial projects require a fire safety plan. This is not required for residential projects.
  2. An invoice for permit fees and security deposits will be e-mailed to you. All fees must be paid before the permit is issued.
  3. Depending on your project, it will be reviewed either by Town staff or by Council.
  4. A 21-day appeal period applies after the decision.
  5. Once approved, you will receive your permits and a Plan Review outlining any conditions or required inspections.
  6. Inspections are completed by the Town's certified Safety Codes Officer.
  7. Upon completion of all Development Permit conditions and the closure of the Building Permit, any security deposits will be returned to you.

Development and Building Permit Applications

  • All permit applications are now submitted via the online portal. 
  • Through this portal, you can track the status of your application and add or review comments.

Building Permits Are Required When:

  • the work exceeds $5000 in value
  • the work goes beyond painting, decorating, re roofing or siding, etc.
  • the work affects health or safety
  • structural changes are being made
  • there is change to the building’s use or occupancy classification.

For details, see Alberta Safety Codes Act [See section 6(1)], or contact the Town Planning and Development department at planning@olds.ca or call 403-507-4806.

Fire Safety Plans

Additional Forms

Fees

Building and Development FAQs

  1. Fill out the online application and submit all plans to the Planning Department.
  2. If you will be digging, request utility locates. Locates must be available on site during work.
  3. If the project is commercial, complete a fire safety plan. This is not required for residential projects.
  4. An invoice will be sent online for permit fees and security deposits. All fees must be paid before the permit is issued.
  5. You can track the status of your application through the online portal.
  6. There is a 21-day appeal period following a decision for Development Permits.
  7. If your permits have been approved, you will receive them along with a Plan Review. This outlines what has been approved and explains when inspections are required.
  8. Inspections will be performed by a certified Safety Codes Officer.
  9. After work is completed to Town standards, any security deposits will be refunded.

Yes - if you plan to demolish or relocate something larger than 144ft2.

Even for demolition and relocation projects, the Town requires:

  • a Building Permit (to ensure Alberta Building Code standards are followed); and 
  • a Demolition Permit.

You will be asked to contact your utility providers to disconnect all services before a permit can be issued and to have a plan for disposing of materials.

If you plan to rebuild, you must submit a new set of development and building permit applications.

Please submit an application via the online portal.

In some cases, a Development Officer or the Town Council may be able to approve a relaxation or variance.

Please submit a development permit application for your requested variance via the online portal.

Once a decision is made by the Approval Authority, there is a 21-day appeal period.

Appeals can be submitted to the regional Appeal Board, which serves 18 different municipalities across Central Alberta. For more information please visit the Appeal Board page.

Simple applications for Permitted Uses are often approved within one week. Development Permits for Discretionary Uses are circulated to area landowners and external agencies for at least 14 days prior to decision.

You have one year from the date your Development Permit is issued to commence the work unless an extension is granted by the Development Authority.

Contractors must have a current Town of Olds Business Licence to operate.

They may also require provincial or trade-specific licences. Please confirm with your contractor that they have the required licences and documentation.

Contact a licensed Alberta Land Surveyor for an official determination of your property boundaries.

How do I find the zoning of my property?

View the Land Use Zoning through the GIS Map by selecting the Land Use at the top and ensuring the Land Use filter is active.

Permits can still be issued after work has begun, but you may be required to change parts of the design, or remove structures that do not comply with safety codes or the Land Use Bylaw.

We strongly recommend getting all permits in place before starting any work. It can be harder to gather required information later - especially if permits are needed for the future sale of the property.

Yes – you’ll need to fill out a separate permit application for each project. Each form requires specific information for review and approval.

Planning and Development staff may be able to combine application fees if your project has multiple elements.

An off-site levy is a fee the Town charges to help pay for expanding municipal services like water, sewer, and roads.

Off-Site Levy Bylaw 2023-36

Contact Us

Town of Olds
3501 70 Avenue
Olds, Alberta, Canada
T4H 1L7

Phone: 403-556-6981
Email: admin@olds.ca

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