Permits and inspections in Foothills County
A short guide with links to the official pages. It is not permit advice: rules, forms and fees change, so check with the permit office before work starts.
Other towns: Okotoks · High River · Diamond Valley
Who issues plumbing, gas and electrical permits
Foothills County, through its Building and Safety Codes Department. The County is an accredited municipality under the Safety Codes Act (accreditation M000149).
Sources: Safety Codes Council: accreditation search; Foothills County: building permits and inspections; Foothills County: Building Services Department (accessed 2026-10-08)
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
HVAC is handled within the building permit application (the County's checklists include mechanical ventilation and hydronic heating forms). Gas-fired equipment also needs a gas permit.
Sources: Foothills County: building permits and inspections; Safety Codes Council: accreditation search; Safety Codes Council: building discipline (accessed 2026-10-08)
Who handles inspections
Inspection requests go to Foothills County's Building and Safety Codes Department (403-603-6216). The County's pages don't name an outside inspection agency.
Sources: Foothills County: building permits and inspections; Foothills County: Building Services Department (accessed 2026-10-08)
Official permit page and contact
Phone: 403-603-6216 (Building Services; also the inspection-request line). County main line (403) 652-2341.
Sources: Foothills County: Building Services Department; Foothills County: building permits and inspections (accessed 2026-10-08)
Trade certificates
- Plumbers
- Plumber
Alberta journeyperson certificate, a compulsory certification trade. Finishing the plumber program also earns a Gasfitter – Class B certificate. Red Seal is optional.
Source: Designated Trades and Restricted Activities Regulation, AR 161/2022 (accessed 2026-10-08) - Gasfitters
- Gasfitter – Class A, Gasfitter – Class B
Both are Alberta journeyperson certificates and compulsory certification trades. Class B covers appliances up to 400,000 BTU; Class A is needed above that. There is no master gasfitter credential in Alberta.
Sources: Designated Trades and Restricted Activities Regulation, AR 161/2022; Permit Regulation, AR 204/2007; Safety Codes Council: where to get a permit (accessed 2026-10-08) - Electricians
- Electrician, Master Electrician
The Electrician journeyperson certificate (construction and industrial branches) is a compulsory certification trade. Taking out electrical permits as a contractor needs a separate Master Electrician certificate of competency, issued under the Safety Codes Act and certified by the Safety Codes Council.
Sources: Designated Trades and Restricted Activities Regulation, AR 161/2022; Safety Codes Council: about master electricians; Permit Regulation, AR 204/2007 (accessed 2026-10-08) - HVAC
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker, Gasfitter – Class A, Gasfitter – Class B
Alberta has no HVAC trade certificate. Depending on the job, heating and cooling work falls under related compulsory certified trades: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker and Gasfitter (Class A or Class B), with Plumber or Steamfitter-Pipefitter for hot-water (hydronic) heating.
Sources: Designated Trades and Restricted Activities Regulation, AR 161/2022; Permit Regulation, AR 204/2007 (accessed 2026-10-08) - Sewer & Drain
- Private Sewage Installer
Alberta has no apprenticeship trade for sewer work as such. A Private Sewage Installer certificate of competency (Safety Codes Act) covers private sewage systems and lets the holder take out the plumbing permit for the part outside the building.
Source: Permit Regulation, AR 204/2007 (accessed 2026-10-08) - Septic & Private Sewage
- Private Sewage Installer (PS), Restricted Private Sewage Installer (R-PS, holding tanks only)
Certificates of competency issued by Alberta Municipal Affairs under the Safety Codes Act. Pumping out a tank does not need one.
Sources: Alberta.ca: private sewage codes and standards; Private sewage systems installer certification list (Alberta Municipal Affairs); Permit Regulation, AR 204/2007 (accessed 2026-10-08)
Municipal business licence
To be researched