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A heating and ventilating permit is required when installing, repairing, or altering any heating, ventilating, or air conditioning undertaking.

About the Service

A heating and ventilating permit is required under the Safety Codes Permit Bylaw when installing, repairing, or altering any heating, ventilation, or air conditioning undertaking such as but not limited to:

  • Ventilating systems
  • Kitchen exhaust
  • Residential hydronic systems
  • Heat recovery ventilators

A heating and ventilating permit is not required for:

  • Installation of a gas-fired or solid-fuel-burning appliance, unless there is duct work attached to the appliance other than the combustion air duct. A Home Improvement Permit is required.
  • Chimney installation alone 
     

Air Conditioner (Cooling) Permits

If the installation of an air conditioning (cooling) unit requires a ducting design alteration or is over 5 tons (60,000 BTU) in size, both an HVAC permit and an electrical permit are required. Otherwise, where an air conditioning unit is hard-wired into the electrical system, only an electrical permit is required.

If the air conditioning unit is a portable, plug-in type, no electrical permit is required.

How Do I Obtain the Service?

Apply for a heating and ventilating permit together with the appropriate building permit type:

  • As part of a New House Permit application for a new single detached, semi-detached, row house or garden suite. New home heating and ventilation work must be completed by a licensed mechanical contractor
  • As part of a Home Improvement Permit application, in the case of an existing single detached house, garden suite, or a single address on a semi-detached house or row house

A heating and ventilating permit is not to be applied for separately unless the project is limited to only heating and ventilating work. Where the work includes other interior or exterior alterations, apply for an HVAC permit together with the appropriate building permit.

No fee refunds will be given if a standalone trade permit is applied for when trade permits should be included as part of the building permit project. 

To obtain a homeowner's heating and ventilating permit, a homeowner must own and occupy the single detached house for which this permit is intended and perform the work themselves.

Contractors must be licensed with the City of Edmonton.

A homeowner must own and occupy the single detached house for which this permit is intended, and perform the work themselves.

Apply Online

Submit the application online.

Apply: Homeowners

Apply: Contractors & Professionals

The status of the application can be tracked and inspections requested within the Self-Serve Project Dashboard under the 'Inspections' heading, or if necessary, call 311. Work is not complete until it passes all required inspections.

Email or Drop off the Application

  1. Download and complete the fillable PDF Single Family Homeowners Heating and Ventilation Permit Application form.
    For furnace replacement and basement development work, also download and complete the following fillable pdfs:
    1. HVAC Details for Furnace Replacement Application
    2. HVAC Details for Basement Development Application
      Attach any plans and /or specifications to the application, and email to HVACTechDesk@edmonton.ca or
      drop off at the Edmonton Service Centre
  2. All homeowner permit applicants may be contacted by the permit issuer to confirm identity and residency by presenting government-issued photo ID, driver's licence or equivalent through a video call.
  3. Begin work only after the City of Edmonton has issued the required permits following a satisfactory review of the application.
  4. Request an inspection within the Self-Serve Project Dashboard under the 'Inspections' heading, or if necessary, call 311.

A permit must be obtained prior to starting any work and booking an inspection.

For inquiries and questions, please book a virtual or in-person appointment.

GeoExchange Systems (Geothermal)

Find application information for GeoExchange systems on the Renewable Energy Systems page.

Inspection Information

  • After the work is completed an inspection of the equipment is required
  • All equipment that will be concealed must be inspected and approved before it is covered
  • If the work has not had an inspection but has been covered, the inspector has the authority to request the area to be opened for inspection

Request an inspection within the Self-Serve Project Dashboard under the 'Inspections' heading, or if necessary, call 311.

Find inspection information on the Safety Codes Inspections page.

In Person

City of Edmonton
2nd Floor, Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 0J4

 

By Phone 311
Fees

2023 Fees

New Construction with an HVAC system

Any new HVAC system for semi-detached or duplex homes

Renovations/Replacements/Alterations to Existing Systems

Contact the City About This Service

Edmonton Service Centre

Contact Us Online

Hours of Operation (by appointment):
8am-4:30pm
Monday - Friday

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Email HVACtechdesk@edmonton.ca