Safety Codes Permits

It is the landowner's responsibility to comply with the provincial Safety Codes Act for new construction, additions or renovations, electrical, plumbing, gas and private sewage disposal systems by obtaining a Safety Codes permit. Alberta Municipal Affairs and the Safety Codes Council administer the Alberta Safety Codes Act. This Act provides codes for the building industry to ensure safety and minimum standards for residential, commercial, industrial and other buildings throughout the province. Effective December 19, 2011, the County of Stettler No. 6 and the Villages of Donalda, Botha, Gadsby and Big Valley have voluntarily terminated their accreditation with the Safety Codes Council for the purpose of the Safety Codes Act in the disciplines of building, plumbing and gas, electrical and private sewage disposal. The reason for the termination is based on the allocation of available resources and economic considerations. IJD Inspections Ltd. has provided the five partner municipalities with an excellent service over the past six years of accreditation. Any open permits will continue to be completed by IJD Inspections Ltd. out of Red Deer. Please call them at 1-877-617-8776 in order to complete your existing permit inspections. New applications for Safety Codes permits may be submitted to IJD Inspections Ltd. or any other Safety Codes inspection company. The County's administration office at 6602 – 44 Avenue in Stettler will continue to be a drop-off and collection point for building plans and other documents, both for IJD Inspections Ltd. and any other inspection company. For more information please call the Planning and Development Department at the County of Stettler No. 6, at 742-4441.

In order to apply for a Safety Codes permit you require a development permit from the County. One of the conditions on the development permit will be that, if and when you do apply for a Safety Codes permit to the Safety Codes inspection agency of your choice, you are required to provide the County's Planning and Development Department with a copy of your Safety Codes permit application so that we can review your building plan for compliance with any applicable statutory plan, restrictive covenants on the land title, the Land Use Bylaw and an approved development permit, for matters including land use, site plan, building height, yard setbacks, floor area and any variances approved by the Development Authority.

In order to assist landowners to comply with the Safety Codes Act and to facilitate its implementation, the County of Stettler No. 6, when reviewing a building permit for compliance as described above, will determine whether the property is serviced with a municipal sanitary sewer service or whether it will be privately serviced with a private sewage disposal system. We will provide this information to the Safety Codes inspection agency of your choice and suggest that they require you to submit an application for a Private Sewage Disposal System permit.

The following information is provided in order to assist you when you discuss your project with a Safety Codes inspection agency:

Building Permit

A complete building permit application must include:

  • Completed permit application
  • Method of payment
  • Two complete sets of construction drawings which includes a cross section, elevations, floor plan and foundation
  • Two copies of the site plan showing the size, shape and position of the proposed building on the lot
  • Copy of your approved Municipal Development Permit

Please note: If you are building a new residence, you are required to apply for a private sewage disposal system permit at the same time as applying for a building permit.

Eligibility

For a single-family dwelling, the applicant may be the owner and occupant of the property or may be a building contractor.

Typical Site Inspection Stages

  • Foundation: Complete with weeping tile, washed gravel, damp proofing prior to backfill
  • Framing and Insulation: Framing of walls, floors and roof complete
  • Final Inspection: Project is complete

Please provide 48 hours' notice to arrange for the necessary inspections.

Electrical Permit

In order to be issued an electrical permit, the applicant must submit:

  • Completed permit application
  • Method of payment

Eligibility

For a single-family dwelling, the applicant may be the owner and occupant of the property or may be a contractor who holds a Master Electrician Certificate. Service must be 100 amps or less for a home-owner permit.

Typical Site Inspection Stages

Rough-in Inspection: Prior to covering

  • Meter base, service panel, service conductors and grounding must be installed.
  • All outlet boxes are to be mounted and secured in such a manner that they will be flush with finished walls and ceilings.
  • All wiring installation in outlet boxes and splices must be completed.
  • All ground wires are to be attached to the outlet boxes and spliced as required.

Final Inspection: Project is complete

  • All wiring devices (switch, receptacles, fixtures, and wall plates) installed.
  • All branch circuits wiring to be installed in panel and connected to the circuit breakers.
  • Panel directory to be properly labeled.
  • Gas and water lines to be bonded to ground.

Please provide 48 hours' notice to arrange for the necessary inspections.

Plumbing and Gas Permit Applications

In order to be issued a plumbing permit, the applicant must submit:

  • Completed permit application
  • Method of payment

Eligibility

For a single-family dwelling, the applicant may be the owner and occupant of the property or may be a Certified Plumbing and Gas Contractor.

Typical Site Inspection Stages

  • Rough-in Below Grade Inspection: Prior to covering
  • Rough-in Above Grade Inspection: Prior to covering
  • Final Inspection: Project is complete

Please provide 48 hours' notice to arrange for the necessary inspections.

Private Sewage Disposal System Permit Applications

A complete PSDS permit application must include:

  • Completed permit application
  • Method of payment
  • Site plan
  • Percolation tests/Soil classification
  • System design
  • Expected volume of sewage per day
  • Depth to the water table if less than 2.4m from ground surface
  • The proper site and soil evaluation and logging information required under Alberta regulations that must accompany an installation permit, must be provided by a system designer. A list of design and installation professionals is provided by Alberta Onsite Wastewater Management Association.

Eligibility

The applicant may be the owner and occupant of the property or may be a Certified Private Sewage Installer.

Typical Site Inspection Stages

  • Rough-in Inspection: During installation

Please provide 48 hours' notice to arrange for the necessary inspections.

Private Sewage Disposal Systems Minimum Distance Requirements

Septic tanks or Sewage holding tanks shall not be located within:

  • 1m (3.25') from property line
  • 9m (30') from any water source or water course
  • 1m (3.25') from any building

No part of the disposal field measured from any part of a trench shall be located within:

  • 1.5 (5') from any property line
  • 15m (50') from any water source or water course
  • 1m (3.25') from a septic tank
  • 9m (30') from any basement, cellar or crawl space
  • 1m (3.25') from any (non-basement building)

No part of a treatment mound shall be located within:

  • 3m (10') from any property line
  • 15m (50') from any water source or water course
  • 3m (10') from a septic tank
  • 9m (30') from any basement or cellar
  • 3m (10') from any (non-basement) building

An effluent discharge to the ground surface shall not be located within:

  • 45m (150') from any water source or water course
  • 45m (150') from a dwelling
  • 90m (300') from any property line

A lagoon that serves a single dwelling or duplex shall not be located within:

  • 90m (300') from any water source or water course
  • 45m (150') from a dwelling
  • 30m (100') from any property line

Please note: All measurements shall be taken from the outside of the berm, where the side slope of the berm intersects with the natural grade.

On a property that adjoins a permanent body of water such as a lake, river, stream, or creek, the effluent disposal component of a private sewage system shall be located:

  • Not less than 90m (300') from the shore of the body of water
  • Where a principal building is located between the system and a body of water, the distance may be reduced to the minimum distance requirements for that method of treatment and disposal.
  • All measurements shall be taken from the outside of the berm, where the side slope of the berm intersects with the natural grade.

We want to help ensure that safe buildings are constructed in the County. Please call us for advice. And please do not start construction or installation before obtaining a Safety Codes permit.

Jacinta Donovan, Development Officer

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Cara McKenzie, Development Officer

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Johan van der Bank, Director of Planning and Development

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