Basements
A building permit is required!
What do you need?
1. A completed Building Permit Application Form and payment. Please allow 10 working days for processing permits. Download the Application form. Download the Fee Schedule
2. One set of floor plans on a scale of not less than 1:100 or legibly drawn showing the following:
• Proposed and existing room(s) layout
• Dimensions of all rooms
• Use of each room (bedroom bathroom, etc.)
• Location of all walls, partitions, doorways, windows and other openings
• Window sizes, door sizes, location of smoke alarms, light switches and plugs
• Finish of all floors, walls and ceilings
• Details of any structural changes proposed (may required a engineer design)
• Electrical panel placement
3. The names of your contractors who will be working on your project.
• Contractors must be licensed with the City of Airdrie.
• Contractors performing plumbing, gas and electrical work must hold a valid certificate to perform work.
Inspections are required when the framing stage is complete, prior to concealing work. Call 948-8833.
Room heights
Minimum heights for the following rooms are:
• Bedroom/Family Room 7’ 5” (2.3m)
• Laundry/Bathroom 6’ 11” (2.1m)
Bedroom Windows
Bedroom windows must open for ventilation, natural light and emergency exiting.
• Each bedroom must have at least one window that has an “opening” of at least 3.8 sq.ft. (0.35 m2 ).
• The opening cannot have any dimension less than 15” (380mm).
• The opening is required to be maintained during an emergency without the need for additional support.
• A minimum 22” (550mm) clearance in front of windows opening into a window well.
• Window must open from the inside without the use of tools or special knowledge. This includes opening of security bars. If security bars are provided they shall be openable from the inside without the use of keys tools or special knowledge.
Slider Type Window
Furnance/boiler rooms
• The furnace room must be enclosed and provided with a minimum 32” x 78” door.
• Minimum clearances are required to be maintained around your furnace room appliances. Check your appliance labels as these clearances will be checked at time of inspection.
• Furnaces require a disconnect switch which can be either the breaker or another switch. When the doorway is made, the switch must be located between the entryway and the furnace (switch may need to be relocated).
Heat and ventilation
• A warm air vent must be provided in each finished room. Warm air vents must be located so at least one exterior wall or window is bathed by warm air. This does not include bathrooms, utility rooms or kitchens, where this may not be practical.
• Warm air vents in finished areas must have heat registers with adjustable openings and cannot be located on a furnace plenum.
• The return air system must be designed to handle the entire air supply of the house. This may mean installing a cold air return in each room or providing provisions under your doors to allow for air movement.
• Do not locate return air openings within 10 ft (3m) (horizontally) from the furnace and not in an enclosed furnace room, bathroom or laundry room.
Bathrooms
• The bathroom must have a fan which is vented to the exterior to remove odors and condensation and the switch must be located inside the bathroom.
• All shower valves must be pressure-balanced or thermo static-mixing valves.
• Low flow water closets are required as per City Bylaw.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Alarms must be labeled as conforming to CAN/CSA-6.19
• A 120v smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm are required either within each bedroom or outside each bedroom but within 5m of each bedroom door.
• The smoke alarm must be 120v powered, the CO alarm can be 120v or battery powered, however plug in alarms are not acceptable. You also have the option of using a 120v combination smoke/CO alarm.
• Alarms are to be mechanically fixed at a height recommended by the manufacturer (normally on the ceiling). If you are replacing an existing smoke alarm with a 120v combination smoke/CO alarm interconnected with smoke alarms on other levels, only use alarms from the same manufacturer to ensure the proper function of the interconnection of alarms – see the installation manual.
Beams and floor joists
• Do not drill or notch beams unless allowed by the manufacturer (see specifications for product).
Plumbing
• All clean outs require access cover. Wall and floor access covers must be accessible.
• Hose Bibb shut off requires access covers.
Electrical
• The electrical panel requires 3 ft 3 in (1m) of clearance in front at all times and cannot be inside a clothes closet or bathroom.
• One circuit may have a maximum of 12 outlets (combination of lights and receptacles).
• Boxes installed on an insulated outside wall must have a vapour barrier hat installed around the box before it is nailed to the stud.
• All junction boxes must remain accessible (do not cover a box with drywall or build it into an inaccessible location).
• Three way switches are required to control the basement stairway lighting from top and bottom landings.
• All communications cables must have FT1 or FT4 ratings (for flame-spread) imprinted on the cable. These cables must be separated from power cables by 2” (50mm) throughout (drill separate holes through the studs as well as install separate boxes).
• Bathroom switches must be located inside the bathroom. They are to be at least 500 mm from the side of the tub or shower. Switches must be on a GFCI protected circuit if less than 1 meter from the tub or shower.
• Branch circuits that supply receptacles installed in bedrooms shall be protected by an arc-fault circuit interruptor.
• All receptacles 1.5 m from any sink require GFCI protection unless they are located behind an appliance. e.g. a bar fridge.
Secondary Suites
A second self contained dwelling unit that is located with a primary dwelling unit, where both dwelling units are registered under the same land title.
Secondary suites are only allowed when the City of Airdrie’s Land Use Zoning allows for this use and the construction of the suite has been properly permitted and constructed to conform as a secondary suite. When this approval is not in place your dwelling must be occupied as a single tenancy.
Floor Plan Example Drawing
The Floor Plan Example is for
reference only and should not be copied for Building Permit Applications.
Please Call for Information
Building Permit Inquiries: 948-8832
Inspection Requests: 948-8833
Safety Codes Officers:
Building: 948-8832
Electrical: 948-8854
Gas and Plumbing: 948-8847
Chief Safety Codes Officer: 948-8843
Fax: (403) 948-8834
Email: building.inspections@airdrie.ca
Office Hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Payment may be cash, personal cheque, visa, mastercard or interac.