Are Building Permits Public Record in Alberta?
Published 2026-03-12 · 6 min read · Property Proof
Tags: Building Permits, Alberta, Home Buying
If you're buying a home in Alberta and wondering whether you can access its building permit history — the answer is yes. Building permits are public record in Alberta. The question is how to access them, what they actually tell you, and why it matters before you make an offer.
What Are Building Permits?
A building permit is an official authorization issued by a municipality before construction, renovation, or demolition work begins on a property. It confirms the proposed work was reviewed against the Alberta Building Code and local zoning bylaws. Once work is complete, an inspector signs off and the permit is closed. If the work was never inspected, the permit remains open.
Are Building Permits Public Record in Alberta?
Yes. In Alberta, building permit records are maintained by individual municipalities and are generally accessible to the public. Cities like Edmonton , Calgary , Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Sherwood Park (Strathcona County), and Lethbridge all maintain permit databases as part of the official municipal record.
What Can You Find in a Building Permit Record?
A building permit record typically includes the permit type (building, development, electrical, plumbing), the scope of work described in the application, the date the permit was issued, the current status (open, closed, expired, cancelled), and in some cases the contractor who pulled the permit. What it does not include is the quality of the work or whether it meets current code — only that it was authorized and, if closed, inspected.
Why Open Permits Matter When Buying a Home
An open permit means work was authorized but never received a final inspection. As the buyer, you inherit that open permit at closing. Depending on the municipality, you may be required to complete the inspection, remediate non-compliant work, or tear out and rebuild. This can affect insurance coverage, mortgage conditions, and resale value.
How to Check Building Permit History for an Alberta Property
Permit records are maintained across multiple municipal systems, each with different formats and structures. Property Proof aggregates permit history from official municipal sources for Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Sherwood Park, and Lethbridge into a single report delivered in under 60 seconds.
The Bottom Line
Building permits are public record in Alberta — and checking them before you buy is one of the most important steps in property due diligence. An open permit or missing permit history is a signal worth investigating before you commit.
Check permit history for any Alberta address at propertyproof.ca .
Frequently Asked Questions
Are building permits public record in Alberta?
Yes. Building permit records in Alberta are maintained by individual municipalities and are generally accessible to the public. Cities like Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Sherwood Park, and Lethbridge all maintain searchable permit databases.
What information is included in a building permit record?
A building permit record typically includes the permit type, scope of work, issue date, current status (open, closed, expired, or cancelled), and in some cases the contractor who pulled the permit. It does not include the quality of work or current code compliance.
What happens if I buy a home with an open building permit?
As the buyer, you inherit any open permits at closing. Depending on the municipality, you may be required to complete the inspection, remediate non-compliant work, or rebuild. Open permits can also affect insurance coverage, mortgage conditions, and resale value.
How can I check building permit history for an Alberta property?
You can search manually through municipal open data portals, or use Property Proof to aggregate permit history from official sources for Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Sherwood Park, and Lethbridge into a single report delivered in under 60 seconds.