Uncovered Deck

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A deck which has no roof or walls, with a floor height over 0.6 metres (2 feet) from finished grade, requires development and building permits.

When Do I Not Need a Permit?

No development permit and no building permit is required for a proposed uncovered deck that is not more than 0.6 metres (24 inches) above finished ground level and located entirely within a rear yard or interior side yard.

Preparing to Apply

Review Zoning Regulations

All development permit applications must meet the Zoning Bylaw

When reviewing the regulations in the Zoning Bylaw, you need to consider:

The zone that is applied to your property
Rules for your property such as land use, site coverage, setbacks, height limits, etc.
Overlays, special areas and applicable plans

Visit maps.edmonton.ca to find your property’s zone. Select Zoning and search for your property address. You can also visit the Edmonton Service Centre.

Review Application Requirements

If the proposed deck has a roof or walls, you need to apply for an Addition - Home Improvement Permit.

When planning an uncovered deck or applying for permits, consider these factors:

Setbacks and site coverage are governed by the zoning of the project property.
If the deck will be built on a corner lot or in the front yard, you may need to talk to a Development Officer about the regulations. There are specific rules around this type of development. Call 311, contact us, or visit Edmonton Service Centre with a site plan.
Plan the location of the deck to not obstruct a basement bedroom window, gas meter, or any HVAC vents for dryer, furnace, heat recovery ventilation (HRV), and so on. Overhead electricity wires must be at least 3.5 meters (11½’) above the deck walking surface.

Site Plan

A Site Plan should:

Be prepared by a person skillful in technical drawing, or draftsperson or architect
Preferably be on a Real Property Report or Plot Plan
Include the following:
- A north arrow
- Address of property
- Corresponding streets and avenues
- Dimensions of the site (property lines)
- Distance from property lines and existing structures to proposed structure(s).
- Height of proposed deck at its highest point from ground level
- Location and measurements of proposed and existing buildings/structures and decks
- Location of existing and proposed accesses to the site
- Identification of all caveats, covenants, easements
- Identifying the required landscaping, preserved landscaping and proposed ground cover (see Landscaping Brochure)

Sample Site Plan / Plot Plan

Abutting Property Plan (for Front Yard decks in the areas in Mature Neighbourhood Overlay)

May be provided as part of the Plot Plan (see Sample Site Plan / Plot Plan) or as a separate plan
Show Setback distance to:
- Foundations of abutting principal structures
- Any fully-enclosed portion of those structures not supported by a foundation (for example, cantilever)
- Where the Abutting Lot is vacant, the Front Setback shall be deemed to be that of the next Abutting Lot

Sample: Abutting Properties Plan

Structural and Engineering Documents (mandatory)

Provide a completed Deck Design Form, and one copy of any plan, elevation and section drawings and engineering or specifications required per the form and as discussed in the Deck Application Guide.
Prepared by a person skillful in technical drawing, or draftsperson or architect .
Minimum scale: 1/8"=1'-0" or 1:100; Preferred scale: 3/16"=1'-0" or 1:75
Metric or imperial units of measurement are acceptable. Please be consistent.
Online: One combined file, in the order discussed in the Application Details Guide or name each PDF file to facilitate plans examination.

How to Apply

Before submitting your application, ensure you have reviewed the requirements and have all required supporting documents.

Applying Online

Create an account, apply, pay and check application status.

Homeowners

Apply

Contractors and Professionals

Apply

Applying In Person

Bring one copy of the completed Residential Construction Application Form and one copy of all required drawings, documents and details to the Edmonton Service Centre.

Development Advisors and Safety Codes Advisors will be able to tell you if you are missing items or answer questions about your project. Applications missing any required plans, documents and details will not be accepted.

Fees

Permit and related fees you can expect to pay at time of application are listed on page 2 of the 2018 Residential Permit and Fees publication.

There are several ways to make a payment.

After You Apply

Development Process

The basic development process involves the following steps:

Review: City staff will review all development applications and building plans.
Approve/Refuse: Development permits must comply with zoning regulations and building permits must comply with all required safety codes.
Inspect: Projects must undergo specific inspections to ensure construction is conducted safely. For inspections information or booking, visit Safety Codes Inspection Services.

For more information on the development process, visit edmonton.ca/development.

View Application Status

Online

Check application status at any time
See fees owing and pay online using a credit card
Download approved permit documents

Submit Changes or Revisions

Changes and revisions can be submitted at various stages of the process
Consult the Development Officer to submit changes or revisions
Changes to plans after the Building Permit is issued must be approved by the Safety Codes Officer who issued it

For More Information

Edmonton Service Centre

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

Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday
8am to 4:30pm

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	developmentservices@edmonton.ca

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