Residential Development and Home Improvement Applications

• If you’re thinking about finishing or renovating your basement, you will need to submit building and utility permit applications.
• If you’re putting up new walls, installing a new staircase, changing the heating, electrical or plumbing, you’ll need to apply for building, electrical, plumbing, and/or gas permits.
• If you’re thinking about developing your basement as a separate living area (a Secondary Suite), a development permit is needed. More information can be found further down the page.

Basement Permit Package

• A certificate of compliance is legal confirmation that the buildings on your property are permitted and meet the appropriate rules and regulations.
• If you would like to apply for a certificate of compliance, please submit a Real Property Report that is less than 3 months old and the application fee to development@strathmore.ca

Find answers to common questions in the Certificate of Compliance brochure. 

• A development and building permit are required for all decks higher than 0.6 metres (2’-00”) above grade or if you’re attaching a deck to a mobile home.

View the information in the links below for more information and permit packages:

• Uncovered Deck and Balcony Development Permit and Building Permit Package
• Covered Deck Development Permit and Building Permit Package

• The Town does not require a development or building permit for a fence less than 2.0 metres in height.
• There are specific height restrictions for certain parts of your property, and some neighbourhoods have architectural guidelines that restrict the fence height.
• If you require a variance to any of the height restrictions, you’ll need to submit a development permit application.

Click the below fence information brochure for more information.

• Fence Information Brochure

• If you’re constructing a residence such as a single-family dwelling, semi-detached house, duplex, or an apartment you will need development, building, and utility permits. 

Click the link below for the Residential Development Application Package:

• Residential Development Application Package

If you have questions and need more information before beginning your project, please reach out to development@strathmore.ca for help and to find out if Building, Development or Utility permits are required.

Development Permits are usually not required for the following renovations if you meet the requirements noted: 

• If you're renovating the exterior of your building, a Development Permit is not required as long as the renovations do not increase the area of the building
• A Development Permit is not required if the renovations comply with all setback and height requirements of your land use district.
• A Development Permit is usually not required for internal renovations.

A Development Permit, Building Permit and Utility Permit may be required for secondary suites, or if you are renovating your basement. 

• Please refer to the information about Secondary Suites in the menu below. 

Development, building, and utility permits are all required for a secondary suite.

• A secondary suite, also known as a basement suite, mother-in-law suite or granny suite, is a self-contained living space located on the same property as a detached house. 
• It has a separate entrance with cooking, sleeping, and bathing facilities.

Note: A basement development is not necessarily a secondary suite.

Click to open the Secondary Suite Information Brochure and Application package below. 

• Secondary Suite Information Brochure
• Secondary Suite Application Package

If you’re unsure, reach out to development@strathmore.ca and we can assist.

• No permits are required for accessory buildings, such as sheds or greenhouses, that are less than 10m² in area.
• If your accessory building is 10m² or greater you must apply for a Development Permit, a building permit, and potentially utility permits. 

Click to open the permit package you need below. 

• Accessory Building and/or Shed Package
• Detached Garage Package

• In-ground and above-ground pools and permanent hot tubs all need development and building permits.
• Hot tubs also need utility permits.
• If a pool or hot tub is to be placed on a deck, engineered drawings are required.

Click to open the permit package you need below:

• Pool Application Package
• Hot Tub Application Package
• Safety Tip for Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs