Which plumbing jobs need a permit in Calgary?

Most plumbing work in Calgary requires a permit from the City of Calgary, but the list of exemptions is longer than many homeowners expect, and knowing where the line falls can save you time and money before you call a plumber.

What needs a permit

The Alberta Permit Regulation requires a permit to install, alter or add to a plumbing system. In Calgary that covers:

• Replacing water or sewer lines in or around the home
• Installing a backwater valve
• Installing a testable cross-connection control device (these are also tested yearly by a tester registered with the City)
• Any new rough-in work, such as a basement bathroom
• Adding or relocating drain, waste or vent piping

For gas, a permit is required to install, alter or add to a gas system. In Calgary, a homeowner cannot take out a gas permit unless they hold an Alberta journeyman gasfitter certificate; all other gas work must be permitted and done by a certified gasfitter.

Water heaters sit in a middle ground. A straight like-for-like swap of a tank water heater needs no permit. A permit is required when the gas line upstream of the heater's shut-off valve changes, when the venting changes, or when the type of heater changes, for example swapping a natural draft unit for a direct vent or tankless model.

What does NOT need a permit.

The Alberta Permit Regulation (not a City rule) exempts certain work from the permit requirement:

• Changing a fixture, faucet, trap or valve when the piping itself does not change
• Installing fixtures in a single-family home when the rough-in was done under a separate permit
• Installing a residential water treatment device in a single-family home

Clearing a blocked drain, replacing a toilet flapper, or swapping out a showerhead fall into the same no-permit category, as long as no piping is altered.

Homeowner permits in Calgary.

A homeowner who owns the home, lives in it (or intends to), and does the work themselves may apply for a plumbing permit for any plumbing job. The City will not issue a homeowner permit for concealed plumbing that was done without a permit, and a homeowner permit cannot be used to cover a contractor's work. The 2026 fee for a homeowner plumbing permit is $116.50, which includes the Safety Codes Council levy. Starting work before the permit is issued doubles the fee, and a re-inspection costs $327.

What the inspection covers.

The City requires a rough-in inspection and a final inspection. At the final, the inspector checks that tub and shower water does not exceed 49°C and that toilets have individual shut-offs.

Before you start.

If you are unsure whether your specific job needs a permit, the City of Calgary is the right first call, not a plumber, because the permit obligation sits with the permit authority. If the work involves a water heater change or any gas connection, confirm the venting and gas line details with a certified gasfitter before assuming no permit is needed; the exemption disappears the moment any upstream gas piping or venting changes. Checking with the City first costs nothing and protects you if the work ever comes up on a home sale or insurance claim.