Building, Development & Business Fees page

Medicine Hat, Alberta · summary & facts

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot e56e5b1474b6 · verified 2026-10-23 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

# Building, Development & Business Fees If you have questions about the fees for your planned project or business launch, contact Planning & Development Services. 5% GST will be added where specifically noted below. Permit and license fees are updated on January 1st of each year. ### Planning and development fees (2026) Development Permits - residential | Type of development permit | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | Detached house | $375.00 | | Semi-detached housing (per dwelling) | $275.00 | | Row housing (per dwelling) | $275.00 | | Stacked duplex housing | $525.00 | | Stacked triplex housing | $825.00 | | Multiple unit housing - base fee | $1,100.00 | | Multiple unit housing - per dwelling | $125.00 | | Secondary suite | $325.00 | | Backyard suite | $375.00 | | Home Business - Minor | $150.00 | | Home Business - Major | $250.00 | | Residential accessory building or structure | $135.00 | **To learn more, visit:** Development Permits Development Permits - non-residential | Type of development permit | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | **New construction base fee** | $1,100.00 | | * + Additional fee per 1m2 of building's gross floor area | $1.35 | | Change of tenancy *(conditions apply)* | - | | Change of use *or* change in intensity of use | $125.00 | | Outdoor commercial patio (on private property) | $250.00 | | Sidewalk patio application/circulation (on City property) | $500.00 | | Storage yard / parking lot development | $500.00 | | Laydown site | $500.00 | | Signage - freestanding sign | $500.00 | | Signage - LED | $1,750.00 | | Signage - all sign types other than freestanding or LED (per sign) | - | | Surcharge for Development Permit within a Direct Control district | $1,000.00 | **To learn more, visit:**Development Permits Subdivision | Type of service | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | Subdivision application base fee (residential & commercial) | $650.00 | | Subdivision application and Endorsement fee, per residential lot | $750.00 | | Subdivision application and Endorsement fee, per commercial lot | $2,400.00 | | Time extension request, 1st extension | $675.00 | | Time extension request, 2nd and subsequent extensions | $1,400.00 | | Discharge or preparation of instrument (each, includes circulation fee) | $400.00 | | Condominium certificate, per unit | $40.00 | **To learn more, visit:**Subdivision Development Development and Service Agreements | Type of service | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | Development Agreement, standard | $780.00 +GST | | Development Agreement, non-standard | $4,110.00 +GST | | Authorization for Work Agreement | $260.00 +GST | | Service Agreement, City standard (includes CCC, FAC, technical reviews, project management and inspections) | $3,600.00 or $3,30.00 per ha. (excluding ER land) whichever is greater, +GST | | Service Agreement, non City standard (includes CCC, FAC, technical reviews, project management and inspections) | $8,100.00 plus $3,300.00 per ha. (excluding ER land) +GST | | Construction Completion Certificate (for agreements completed before 2025) | $250.00 +GST | | Final Acceptance Certificate (for agreements completed before 2025) | $250.00 +GST | | Amending Letter Agreement (for Agreements completed before 2025) | $200.00 +GST | | Development Agreement final inspection (security release) | $315.00 +GST | | Technical Coordinating Committee review (non-standard) when not part of an application (DPASPSA, Rezoning) | $825.00 +GST | | Telecommunication review, approval (line assignment - Minor) | $405.00 +GST | | Telecommunication review, approval (line assignment - Major) | $1775.00 +GST | **To learn more, visit:**Construction Standards and Specifications Planning services | Type of service | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | Land Use Bylaw Amendment, text | $7,500.00 | | Land Use Bylaw Amendment, rezoning | $5,000.00 | | Land Use Bylaw Amendment, rezoning (intensification) | $2,500.00 | | Land Use Bylaw Amendment, rezoning to Direct Control district | $7,500.00 | | Major Plan Amendment (MDP or IDP) | $7,500.00 | | New Secondary Plan (ASP, ARP, Outline Plan, other plans) | $15,000.00 | | Secondary Plan Amendment (ASP, ARP, Outline Plan, other plans) | $7,500.00 | **To learn more, see Rezoning Land on:** Zoning Miscellaneous services | Type of service | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | Compliance Certificate, detached house | $325.00 +GST | | Compliance Certificate, other | $550.00 +GST | | Encroachment application | $200.00 +GST | | Letter of consent | $125.00 +GST | | Encroachment, 10m2 or less, with no objections | $700.00 +GST | | Encroachment, over 10m2, with no objections | $1,700.00 +GST | | Zoning confirmation letter | $325.00 +GST | | Permit search | $390.00 +GST | | Environmental information search | $500.00 +GST | | Address change (property owner requested) | $250.00 | | Gas well setback request letter (to NGPR and AER | $300.00 | | Lot grading inspection | $350.00 | | Telecommunication tower site review/circulation, per site | $3,500.00 | | Alberta Land Titles search | $35.00 | | Miscellaneous letters, etc. | $170.00 | **To learn more, visit:**Property Information ### Safety codes fees (2026) A Safety Codes Council (SCC) fee of **4%** will be added to all safety codes permit fees below (building, electrical, heating, gas, plumbing permits). Prescribed by the SCC, this 4% fee does not apply to penalty fees. Building Permits | | | --- | | **Building Permit - General** | | What is construction value? "Construction Value" means the measure of the value of construction to install or erect at a work site and includes: i) cost of materials installed or erected at a site, ii) cost of labor, iii) cost of construction equipment rental, iv) contractor's profit, v) cost of architectural, engineering and interior design work, and vi) miscellaneous overhead and office costs chargeable to the project; Bylaw No. 4438 3.1(d) | Type of service | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | Minimum residential Building Permit fee | $160.00 | | Minimum commercial Building Permit fee | $275.00 | | Minimum Trade Permit fee | $160.00 | | Homeowner's Permit fee | $75.00 | | Permit extensions (allowed only once) | - | | Permit renewal / reactivation | 50% of original permit fee (No less than current minimum permit fee. Maximum fee $5000.00) | | Permit cancellation with refund request | Refund is subject to holdback of current minimum permit fee, or 20% of initial permit fee (whichever is greater) | | Alternate solution: additional charge to review application which includes an alternate solution | $445.00 | | Pre-application meeting | $210.00 | | Permit Summary Report | $16.00 | | Changes to an issued permit (Building or Trade) | $50.00 per instance | | Re-examination of submitted plans | 10% of original permit fee | | Foundation permit | $105.00 | | | **Safety Codes - Enforcement** | | | Type of enforcement | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | **Re-inspection or extra inspection - Building and Trade permits** | | | * + First occurrence | $160.00 | | * + Second/subsequent occurrences | $320.00 | | Commencing construction without an issued permit | 200% of original permit fee | | Failure by permit holder to obtain a requested re-inspection | $370.00 | | **Occupying a building prior to final inspection** | | | * + First offense | $750.00 | | * + Second/subsequent offenses | $1,500.00 | | | **Occupancy permits** | | | Type of occupancy permit | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | Occupancy Permit, commercial or industrial (Change of tenancy in existing building or suite and new occupancy of a tenancy or suite of a base building) | $275.00 | | Food truck Occupancy Permit (Annual food truck roundup only) | $210.00 | | | **Building Permit - Residential** | | | Type of building permit | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | Residential accessory building (garage, shed, carport, gazebo) | $210.00 | | Deck, porch or covered canopy (covered & uncovered decks, porches, patios and screened-in sunrooms) | $185.00 | | Retaining wall | $160.00 | | Swimming pool (in ground or above ground) or hot tub | $160.00 | | Wood burning fireplace | $160.00 per fireplace | | Solar panels | $160.00 | | Manufactured Home | $420.00 | | Addition | $370.00 | | Renovation (includes basement developments and Secondary Suites) | $290.00 | | Single detached dwelling | $2,360.00 | | Duplex (stacked) | $2,525.00 | | Attached Housing (semi-detached and townhouse/rowhouse) | $2,100.00 per unit | | Backyard Suite | $735.00 | | Demolition | $210.00 | | **Multiple Unit Residential Development or Apartment** | | | * + 600m2 or less, and three storeys or less | $2625.00 base fee plus $525.00 per unit | | * + Over 600m2 and four storeys or more | $11.95 per $1000.00 of construction value\* | \*Building construction cost must be submitted at time of permit application. Tender documentation is required to confirm valuation. **To learn more, visit:** Building Permits | | **Building Permit - Commercial, industrial, institutional, assembly** | | | Type of building permit | Fee (2025) | | --- | --- | | **Commercial, industrial, institutional, assembly** | $11.95 per $1000.00 of construction value\* | | Temporary event tent | $275.00 | | Demolition | $275.00 | \*Building construction cost must be submitted at time of permit application. Tender documentation is required to confirm valuation. | | **Fire protection (suppression) system: commercial, industrial, residential** | | | Type of fire protection permit | Fee (2025) | | --- | --- | | Sprinklers, standpipes, siamese connections, etc. | $11.95 per $1000.00 of construction value | | Commercial cooking fire protection (suppression) system | $11.95 per $1000.00 of construction value | | Heating and Ventilation (HVAC) Permits | Type of HVAC permit† | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | Residential | $160.00 per dwelling unit | | Commercial | $275.00 per unit | †Additional inspection fees for 'complex work' or 'phased inspections' will be charged if more than two inspections are required. **To learn more, visit:** Trade Permits Electrical Permits | Type of Electrical Permit\* | Fee (2025) | | --- | --- | | **Residential dwellings** **(new construction) Part 9** all types | $420.00 per unit | | Residential renovations/alterations and accessory buildings | $210.00 | | **Part 3 Multi-family Residential** | | | * + Less than $10,000 construction value | $275.00 | | * + $10,000-$25,000 construction value | $470.00 | | * + $25,000-$50,000 construction value | $970.00 | | * + More than $50,000 construction value | $20.00 per $1000 of electrical value | | **Commercial and Industrial** | | | * + Less than $10,000 construction value | $275.00 | | * + $10,000-$25,000 construction value | $470.00 | | * + $25,000-$50,000 construction value | $970.00 | | * + More than $50,000 construction value | $20.00 per $1000 of electrical value | | Service connection (includes Manufactured Home connection, panel change, service change and temporary service) | $160.00 | | Swimming pool or hot tub | $160.00 | | Solar panels (residential) | $160.00 | | Wind generation tower (Based on cost of all electrical equipment and installation/labour including turbines & blades/rotors) | $23,800.00 | \*Additional inspection fees for 'complex work' or 'phased inspections' will be charged if more than three inspections are required. **To learn more, visit:** Trade Permits Gas Permits | Type of Gas Permit† | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | **Residential dwellings (new construction) Part 9** all types | $275.00 per unit | | Residential renovations/alterations and accessory buildings | $160.00 | | **Commercial and Industrial** (new construction & renovations/alterations, includes appliance replacement) | | | * + Less than 100K BTU | $275.00 | | * + 100K-500K BTU | $315.00 | | * + 500K-1M BTU | $475.00 | | * + 1M-2M BTU | $525.00 | | * + More than 2M BTU | $185.00 per 1M BTU or portion thereof over 2M BTU | | Service connection (includes Manufactured Home connection, temporary installation for natural gas or propane tanks) | $160.00 | | Industrial plant (new gas installation) | $630.00 per installation | | Industrial plants annual maintenance permit (up to 10 maintenance upgrades or alterations per year) | $5050.00 | †Additional inspection fees for 'complex work' or 'phased inspections' will be charged if more than three inspections are required. **To learn more, visit:**Trade Permits Plumbing, Water, Sewer Permits | Type of plumbing, water, sewer permit\* | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | **Residential dwellings (new construction) Part 9** all types | $450.00 per unit | | Residential renovations/alterations and accessory buildings | $185.00 | | **Commercial and Industrial** (new construction & renovations/alterations, includes appliance replacement) | | | * + 10 fixtures or less | $275.00 | | * + 11 or more fixtures | $27.00 per fixture | | Service connection (includes Manufactured Home connection, water service and sewer) | $160.00 | | Backflow preventer | $160.00 | | Back water valve | $160.00 | | Septic tank, field or holding tank | $275.00 | | Fire hydrant on private property | $160.00 per hydrant | | Manhole, catch basin or roof drain | $160.00 per fixture | \*Additional inspection fees for 'complex work' or 'phased inspections' will be charged if more than three inspections are required. **To learn more, visit:**Trade Permits ### Business license fees (2026) General business fees | Business tiers | Fee (2026) | | --- | --- | | **Tier 1 -**1 year license | $50.00 | | **Tier 2 -**1 year license | $225.00 | | **Tier 2 -**3 year license\* | $550.00 | | **Tier 3 -**1 year license | $450.00 | | **Tier 3 -** 3year license\* | $1,100.00 | | **Tier 4 -**1 year license | $900.00 | | **Tier 5 -**1 year license | $2,750.00 | | Non-resident (in addition to tier license) | $500.00 | | Administration fee (specific circumstances only) | $55.00 | \*Three-year business licenses are issued at the discretion of the Inspector. Non-refundable if the business closes during the three year period. | Business tier | Business type (Bylaw 4833) | | --- | --- | | **Tier 1** | * Non-Profit Organization (proof of exemption required) | | **Tier 2** | * General Business (includes all other businesses not specifically listed) | | **Tier 3** | * Alcohol Sales (Consumption On-Premises / Minors Allowed) * Carnival * Contracting and Labour Services * Craft Show * Circus and other Entertainments * Debt Repayment / Payday Loans * Farmers Market * Hotel or Motel * Mobile Food Vendor * Motor Vehicle Repair, Maintenance or Modification * Pawnbroker (Bylaw #3484) * Trade Show * Transient Trader | | **Tier 4** | * Alcohol Sales (Consumption On-Premises / Minors Prohibited) * Cannabis Production and Distribution Facility * Cannabis Retail Store * Kiosk * Large Format Retailer (more than 50,000 sq. ft.) * Liquor Retail Store | | **Tier 5** | * Adult Entertainment | **To learn more, visit:**Business License Taxi business fees | License categories (Bylaw 4834) | Fee (2025) | | --- | --- | | Taxi vehicle license | $65.00 | | Taxi company license | $1,000.00 | | Taxi driver (person) (required every 3 years) | $100.00 | | Temporary taxi license (vehicle) | $150.00 | | Lottery fee (per application) | $250.00 | | Charter service license | $450.00 | | Transportation network company | $2,000.00 | | Administration fee (specific circumstances only) | $50.00 | **For more information, visit:** Vehicle for Hire Escort business fees | License categories (Bylaw 4793) | Fee (2025) | | --- | --- | | Escort agency (resident) | $1,800.00 | | Escort agency (non-resident) | $2,400.00 | | * Escort person (resident) | $125.00 | | * Escort person (non-resident) | $180.00 | | Independent escort agency (resident) | $750.00 | | Independent escort agency (non-resident) | $1,200.00 | | Transfer fee | $80.00 | Amusement Arcades / Billiard Rooms business fees | License categories (Bylaw 4835) | Fee (2025) | | --- | --- | | Amusement arcade operator | $200.00 | | Amusement/vending machine distributor | $200.00 | | Billiard room and amusement arcade (in same premises) | $200.00 | | Billiard room operator | $200.00 | | Amusement/vending machine registration | no fee | If a fee total provided by our office differs from the fee listed on this page, the office quote supersedes. --- ###### View City Bylaws relating to business and development: View Bylaws Contact Us Stay up to date. 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