Permit, licence, and land development application processing times are measured in calendar days from when a complete application is submitted to when a decision is made.
The City aims to meet the processing times within 75% of the target time or better. The average processing time and percentage of applications that were within targets are updated every 3 months.
Permits and licences are an important part of guiding development and helping ensure we are achieving the safe, inclusive, vibrant and walkable city envisioned by The City Plan. Establishing predictable, transparent service levels is part of Edmonton's Economic Action Plan, which includes actions to improve Edmonton’s regulatory processes and reduce red tape.
The development and construction application review process is a partnership between the City and the applicant to reach a decision. The processing time begins once the City receives a complete application and fees are paid.
A complete application is one that includes the information required for the initial technical review as stated in the minimum submission guidelines for each application type.
The application processing timeline includes City and partner agency time to review the application, obtain additional information from the applicant, and complete all detailed reviews.
If information is missing and not provided promptly or multiple revisions are required from the applicant during the review process, this adds to the length of time needed to complete the review.
The City encourages applicants to consider hiring professional contractors and designers to help ensure complete application submissions and avoid delays.
Any neighbour notification and/or appeal periods that may be required following the application decision are not included in the processing times. There may also be some variation in processing times during the peak construction season (March-August).
Note: To avoid delays before starting a project, homeowners are encouraged to visit the home improvement permits page to confirm if their project requires a permit and what information is needed to submit a complete permit application.
Home improvement permit application processing times for interior or exterior renovations to existing single-detached and semi-detached houses, row houses up to 4 units, secondary suites, decks and accessory structures, like sheds and detached garages, associated with these housing types.
Refer to the Commercial, Industrial, and Multi-Unit Residential Alteration Permits section for permit application processing times for interior and exterior renovations to apartments and/or condos (including renovations to the interior of individual residential suites) and row houses with 5 or more units. For garage and backyard housing please refer to the New Home Construction Permits section.
Housing types infographic
Actual Processing Time
Simple Projects - 25 days
Includes decks (single platforms in backyards less than 6 feet high), demolitions, detached garages (standard designs less than 55 square metres for single detached houses), home renovations and basements, hot tubs and swimming pools
Renewable Energy System - 10 days
Includes solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal (hot water), geoexchange systems
93% within target,
3-day average
Permit application processing times for new low-density residential construction in both redeveloping (development within existing residential and non-residential areas that have completed the cycle of growth, build out and maturation, and are changing to accommodate compact, mixed use development in support of City Building Outcomes) and developing (areas primarily outside of Anthony Henday Drive within city limits that have an approved statutory plan) areas. This includes single-detached houses, semi-detached houses and side-by-side row houses up to 4 units with or without Backyard Housing.
For new multi-unit residential buildings, including side-by-side row houses with 5 or more units and stacked row houses, please refer to the Commercial, Industrial, and Multi-Unit Residential Construction processing times section.
| Target Processing Time By Permit Type | Actual Processing Time April-June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Greenfield Development Permit - 20 days | 92% within target, 13-day average |
| Greenfield Building Permit - 35 days | 95% within target, 20-day average |
| Infill Development Permit - 40 days | 48% within target, 53-day average |
| Infill Building Permit - 35 days | 70% within target, 34-day average |
Permit application processing times for interior and exterior alterations and renovations, demolitions, or changes in business activities to the individual units or common areas of existing commercial, industrial, institutional, mixed-use, or multi-unit residential buildings. Multi-unit residential buildings include duplexes, row houses with 5 or more units, stacked row houses, and apartments or condos.
Also includes processing times for stand-alone temporary structures and hoarding associated with the above building types. For decks and accessory structures, such as sheds and detached garages, associated with single detached houses, semi-detached houses and row houses with up to 4 units, please refer to the Home Improvement Permit processing times section.
Building permits for alterations, stand-alone temporary structures and hoarding - 60 days
