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Permit Glossary

Key terms for understanding permits, zoning, and approvals

Understanding permit terminology helps property owners, homeowners, contractors, and business owners make better decisions before starting a project. This glossary explains common terms used in building permits, development permits, zoning reviews, and municipal approvals.

Core Permit Terms

Building Permit

A building permit is an approval issued by a municipality confirming that proposed construction complies with the Alberta Building Code. Building permits are typically required for structural work, additions, layout changes, new buildings, or construction that affects life safety.

A development permit confirms that a proposed project complies with municipal zoning regulations such as land use, setbacks, building height, parking requirements, site layout, and use classification.
Permit-ready drawings are drawings prepared to support a permit application. These drawings show the proposed construction and demonstrate how the project complies with zoning regulations, building code requirements, and municipal submission standards.
Permit drawings are technical drawings submitted to a municipality as part of a permit application. They may include floor plans, elevations, site plans, sections, and construction details.
Trade permits are permits issued for specialized work such as plumbing, electrical, gas, and HVAC installations. These permits are typically separate from the main building permit.

Planning and Zoning Terms

Land Use Bylaw
A Land Use Bylaw is a municipal regulation that controls how land and buildings can be used. It establishes zoning districts, permitted uses, discretionary uses, setbacks, height limits, parking requirements, and other development rules.
Zoning is the system municipalities use to regulate land use and development. Zoning determines what types of buildings and uses are allowed on a property.
A setback is the required distance between a building or structure and a property line. Setbacks help regulate building placement, privacy, access, and separation between properties.
Lot coverage refers to the percentage of a property that may be covered by buildings or structures. Municipal zoning bylaws often limit lot coverage to manage building size and site intensity.
A discretionary use is a land use that may be allowed in a zoning district but requires municipal review and approval. Approval depends on whether the use is appropriate for the site and surrounding area.
A permitted use is a land use allowed within a zoning district when it meets all applicable regulations.
A change of use occurs when a property or tenant space is proposed to operate under a different land use category than the one previously approved.

Building Code Terms

Alberta Building Code
The Alberta Building Code establishes minimum construction standards for buildings in Alberta, including structural design, fire protection, accessibility, energy efficiency, and life-safety requirements.
Egress refers to a safe way to exit a building or room in an emergency. Egress requirements are especially important for bedrooms, basements, secondary suites, and commercial spaces.
Fire separation refers to construction designed to slow the spread of fire and smoke between spaces or dwelling units.
Life-safety requirements are building code rules intended to protect occupants, including exits, alarms, fire separation, ventilation, and structural safety.

Approval and Compliance Terms

Retroactive Permit
A retroactive permit is a permit application submitted after construction has already occurred. The work must be reviewed and may need to be modified or upgraded to comply with current regulations.
Grandfather rights refer to situations where a building or use was legally established under previous regulations and is allowed to continue even if current zoning rules have changed.
A non-conforming property is a building, structure, or use that was legally established under previous regulations but does not comply with current zoning rules.
A relaxation is an approval allowing a limited variation from specific zoning requirements when the municipality determines the change is appropriate.
A variance is a planning approval that allows a project to depart from certain zoning regulations, often where strict compliance is difficult or where the impact is considered acceptable.

Site and Drawing Terms

Site Plan
A site plan is a drawing showing the property, building location, property lines, setbacks, parking areas, access points, and other site features.
A floor plan is a drawing showing the layout of rooms, walls, doors, windows, stairs, and other interior features.
An elevation is a drawing showing the exterior face of a building, including height, roof shape, doors, windows, and materials.
A section is a drawing that cuts through a building to show construction details, heights, floors, ceilings, walls, and structural components.

Why These Terms Matter

Permit terminology can be confusing, but understanding these terms helps clarify what is required before construction begins. Permit Masters helps clients interpret zoning rules, building code requirements, and municipal approval processes so projects can move forward with confidence.