If you are planning to construct a sunroom, solarium or enclosed deck on your property you will be required to obtain the necessary permits. 

Prefabricated sunrooms and solariums

For prefabricated sunrooms or solariums being installed on an existing deck you are required to submit the following information:

• Completed development permit application
• Completed building permit application
• Three copies of a site plan (see below for details required on the plan)
• Three copies of a floor plan, showing dimensions and labelled rooms
• Three copies of elevation drawings for all three sides of the structure. The elevation drawings must contain all the window, glass, screen and door dimensions of the proposed sunroom as well as the existing house elevations (including window and door dimensions).
• Two copies of drawings from the supplier that have an Alberta engineer's seal affixed.
• Two copies of the foundation plan
  • If the foundation is existing and is either piles or a slab on grade, a letter will be required from an Alberta Engineer confirming that the existing structure and foundation is adequate to support the proposed sunroom addition.
  • If the foundation is new construction see the foundation options outlined below.
• Current copy of title
• Application fee (see current fee schedule)

Stick built sunrooms and enclosed decks

For stick built or conventional construction sunrooms or enclosed decks you are required to submit the following information:

• Completed development permit application
• Completed building permit application
• Three copies of a site plan (see below for details required on the plan)
• Three copies of a floor plan showing dimensions and labelled rooms
• Three copies of elevation drawings for all three sides of the structure. The elevation drawings must contain all the window, glass, screen and door dimensions of the proposed sunroom as well as elevations of the existing house (including window and door dimensions).
• Two copies of a structural cross section showing all the materials of the proposed structure (ie. walls are 2x6 spruce studs @ 16" o/c, R20 batt insulation, 6 mil poly). If using prefab trusses or floor joists, you will be required to submit the layout from your supplier.
• Two copies of the foundation plan
  • If the foundation is existing and is either piles or a slab on grade, a letter will be required from an Alberta Engineer confirming that the existing structure and foundation is adequate to support the proposed sunroom addition.
  • If the foundation is new construction see the foundation options outlined below.
• Application fee (see current fee schedule)

Foundation information

• The following foundations are not required to be designed by a professional engineer or registered architect:
  • Full concrete foundation.
  • 4 ft. concrete frost wall on a strip footing.
  • 4 ft. pier foundation on a spread footing.
• The following foundations are required to be designed by a professional engineer or registered architect:
  • Concrete pile and grade beam systems
  • Concrete piles
  • Screw piles
  • Preserved wood foundation
  • Shallow foundations (ie. slab on grade)
  • ICF - Insulated Concrete Forms (may require engineering if no CCMC approval number is provided)

Regulations for setbacks from property lines, site coverage and height are dependant on the zoning of your property. To view this information, visit the dwellings and additions page.

Site plan information

A site plan must show the proposed location of the structure, distances to property lines on all three sides, existing structures on the property, length and width of the proposed structure as well as any utility right of ways or easements. You may be required to submit a site plan prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor for your proposed addition.

This information is required in order to determine whether the proposed structure complies with the Land Use Bylaw as well as calculating spatial separations under the Alberta Building Code.

Please note, upon submission and review of your application by a Safety Codes Officer, you may be required to reduce or remove openings (ie. windows) in your proposed structure depending on the proximity to a property line.

More information