Business Licence and Permit Applications

All home-based businesses are considered a home occupation. Please fill in the Home Occupation Permit form.

If you are doing any renovations to your home, you may also need to complete a Building Permit application.

You will also need a business licence.

Class 1 Home Occupation

• Takes up a maximum of 15 m² (161 ft²) of your house;
• Cannot be located outside or in a separate building from your house;
• Should not create any nuisance or disrupt the privacy of your neighbours
• Customers are not permitted to visit the home, but deliveries are allowed.
• Only permanent residents of the home can be employed by the business.

Class 2 Home Occupation

• Can take up to 30 m² (333 ft²) OR 20% of your home - whichever is less
• Outdoor space may be permitted if it will not impact next door neighbours
• Should not create any nuisance or disrupt the privacy of your neighbours
• Can accomodate customers as long as the traffic generated doesn't disrupt the neighbourhood.

The following types of businesses are not allowed to operate out of a residential area in the Town of Olds:

• Commercial dog breeding;
• Cannabis production, distribution or sales;
• Vet clinics or hospitals;
• Dog kennels

Mobile Vendor Permit Application Form

Mobile vendors also need a business licence.​

Before submitting a permit application with the Town, please determine whether the following are required by the province or federal government:

• Alberta Health Services Food Handling Permit - if you are selling food
• Direct Sellers' Licence
• Fire Inspection
• Insurance documentation
• Any other provincial licences

You will also be asked to provide a photograph of your mobile vending unit, and authorization from the owner of the property where the vending unit will be parked. The fee for a Mobile Vendor permit is $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents.

Mobile Vendors are regulated by Bylaw 2018 - 46.

1. Electrical, gas and plumbing work need separate permits not issued by the Town. Learn more here.
2. Fill and submit the application forms (listed below) with all required plans to the Planning Department.
3. If you will be digging, request locates. Locates must be available on site while work is being done. 

   Please obtain line locates before digging:

   ALBERTA ONE CALL : 1 (800) 242-3447 or www.alberta1call.com 
   DigShaw: 1 (866) 344-7429 or www.digshaw.ca

4. If the project is commercial, complete a fire safety plan. This is not required for residential projects.
5. An invoice will be e-mailed to you for permit fees and security deposits. All fees must be paid before the permit is issued.
6. Depending on your project, it will be reviewed either by Town staff or by the Municipal Planning Commission.
7. If the permit requires a decision from the MPC, there is a 21-day appeal period.
8. If your permits have been approved, you will receive them along with a Plan Review. This is an overview of what has been approved and will describe when an inspection is needed.
9. Inspections will be performed by the Town's certified Safety Codes Officer.
10. After work is completed to Town standards, any security deposits will be returned to you.

Accessory Building Application Package

Accessory buildings:

• require a permit if larger than 10 m² (107.6 ft²);
• cannot be located in the front yard;
• must be a minimum of 1.0 m (3.28 ft) away from the side and rear property lines; and
• must not be taller than 4.5 m (14.76 ft).

If you are building a garage, it can be located:

• between 1.0 m and 2.0 m (3.28 ft to 6.56 ft); OR
• 6.0 m (19.7 ft) or more from the rear property line.

Garages may also require a hard surfaced driveway, and are subject to size limitations depending on the zoning and size of your property. For example:

• 70m² (754 ft²) in R1 and R2
• 143m² (1539ft²) in R5

Change of Use

You do not require a permit to build a deck that is:

• Shorter than 0.61m (2 ft); and
• Not covered or enclosed.

If your deck will be more extensive, please download the Deck Permit Application Package.

If your deck will include a gazebo or pergola, please also fill out the materials for Accessory Buildings (above).

Decks still require permits even if they are not attached to a building.

Please fill out a Driveway / Parking Pad / Curb Cut Application.

If the driveway accesses an unpaved alley, it can be unpaved as well. If it accesses a paved road, it must also be hard surfaced within 1 year of permit approval. There is a $1000 refundable security deposit in this case to ensure the driveway is paved.

Driveways must also be at least 6m (20 ft) away from any property boundary that is next to a street intersection.

The maximum allowed width of new driveways depends on the size of your lot:

If you are planning a curb cut, Operations staff will inspect the site within 5 days of receiving the application and provide you an estimate of cost. If you agree, the Town will hire a contractor to do the curb cut in accordance with design standards.

Please fill out the Wood Burning Unit Form.

General Development Permit Application

General Building Permit Application

Please fill out a Detached Dwelling & Duplex Application.

The Town will work closely with you to help understand the regulations in place when building a new home. You will be asked to provide:

• Certificate of Title
• Site Plan
• Elevation Drawings
• Floor Plans
• New Home Warranty - please click here for more information
• Written confirmation from an Alberta Land Surveyor of the building location relative to the property lines.

The East Olds area has specific design standards in place to preserve its character. Please see Schedule E of the Land Use Bylaw if you are planning a new home in this area.

If you are planning a secondary suite, please provide us with:

• Secondary Suite Application Package
• A current copy of your Certificate of Title
• Site Plan or an existing Real Property Report

Any parcel of land that has a detached dwelling space can have one secondary suite, unless it already has a bed and breakfast, day care, or Class 2 home occupation. The secondary suite must be completely separate from the main dwelling, with no shared airflow. (Separate furnace, etc.) An extra off-street parking space must be provided.

The suite can have a maximum of:

• 80 m² (864 ft²) in floor area;
• 40% of total floor area of the detached dwelling (including the basement and main floors);
• 2 bedrooms, each with a maximum of 15 m² (161 ft²).

Secondary suites can be installed above a garage, as long as the suite itself is not taller than either the main dwelling, or 7.5m (25 ft).

If the suite has its own separate building, the exterior walls need to be at least:

• 1.5m (5 ft) from the side property boundaries;
• 1.5m (5 ft) from the rear boundary if there's a window or door facing an alleyway;
• 3m (10 ft) from the rear boundary if a window or door does not face an alleyway;
• 2.5m (8ft) from the main and any accessory buildings.

Solar Installation Application Form

Before you apply:

• The intention of the program is to support urban hen keeping within the Town of Olds as a hobby and non-commercial activity. You cannot sell eggs or any products produced by your hen(s) as they are for personal use only.
• It is in your best interest to not invest in urban hens, equipment, etc. until you obtain your permit.
• An application does not guarantee you will obtain a permit.
• The Town of Olds does have the discretion and authority to deny a request for a permit due to documentation or medical concerns from neighboring properties and/or any other concerns.
• Existing urban hen holders have until January 1, 2023, to become compliant with the current bylaws. 

Application Requirements
Applicants must go through the Town of Olds pre-application process prior to building their coops and/or runs. The Town of Olds is accepting a maximum of 40 applicants.

To apply, complete the Urban Hen Permit Application 
What you should do prior to submitting your application:

1.  Make sure to review the Town of Olds Bylaws

   Land Use Bylaw 2021-02

   Community Standards Bylaw 2021-04

2.  Complete an Urban Hen Keeping Course
3.  Registered with Alberta’s Premises Identification Program (PID)

Obtaining a Development Permit:

1.  Site Plan – Showing dimensions of the rear/side yard of the proposed property location and the dimensions of the hen coop and run.
2.  Certification or proof of an urban hen keeping course.
3.  Provincial Premise Identification (PID) number from the Province of Alberta.
4.  The number of urban hens (maximum of six (6).
5.  Owner authorization if the property is not owned by applicant.

Submission Process

Applications must be submitted before the end of the month prior to Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) meeting. (MPC meets every 3rd Thursday of each month). Once the application is received, a letter will be circulated to neighboring properties of the proposed application. 
Once the application has been approved by MPC you will need to license your hens. Applicants will be required to show their approved development permit.

Licensing

To license your hens, applicants need to bring proof of Premises Identification Number and Hen Course completion to the Town of Olds Administration Building or submit them online via the Urban Hen Licence Application Form.