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Gazebos, pergolas and sunrooms

Gazebos, pergolas, and sunrooms are often built to make outdoor spaces more usable. They offer shade or shelter, extend living space, and create a place to sit outside without being fully exposed to the weather. They can be custom designed and constructed or prefabricated. 

What to know about building or installing gazebos, pergolas and sunrooms

  • Gazebos, pergolas and sunrooms are considered accessory buildings and cannot be located in the front of the yard.
  • Depending on your project, you may not require a permit. 
When a permit is required:  
  • Gazebos, pergolas or sunrooms attached to any structure.
  • Wood, stick-built constructed buildings which exceeds 10 m2 (107 ft²) in area.
  • Any installed lighting or receptacles.
When permits are not typically required:
  • Structures with no roof coverings (pergola framing is acceptable).
  • Pre-engineered/prefabricated accessory buildings, such as aluminium pergolas or greenhouses, or plastic or wood storage sheds etc., where the following conditions are met:
    • The building is not attached to any other structure.
    • The building does not contain anything which could create a health or safety risk.
    • The construction does not exceed $5000 in market value.
    • The building is less than 20m² (215 ft²) in building area.
    • It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that all materials/products are CCMC, CSA or ULC approved.
    • The building is constructed and adequately braced, weighted or anchored to the ground as per the manufacturer’s instructions or designed to withstand the elements against collapse or wind uplift.
    • All Land Use Bylaw requirements are met.
    • It is the homeowner’s responsibility to follow the manufacturers installation requirements and recommendations including use and care (e.g. maintenance, removing snow from roof).

Who will install the gazebo, pergola or sunroom?

Homeowner-led projects

  • Homeowners performing HVAC, electrical, plumbing or gas work on homes they own and occupy can request permits on behalf of themselves. Electrical, gas and plumbing cannot be completed by homeowners for any portion of a rental property.
  • Homeowner-led trade permits are also subject to an additional $100 fee per trade (electrical, plumbing and/or gas). Fee information is available in the User Fees and Charges Bylaw (pdf).

Hired contractors

  • Contractors must hold valid trade qualification certificates and have a City of Airdrie business licence. Property owners are responsible for ensuring contractors have valid licences and permits before work begins.

  • If you're hiring a contractor or company, research them carefully to protect yourself from renovation scams. Learn more about hiring a contractor in Alberta.

Permit requirements

The following must be included in your application (online documents must be submitted as flattened PDFs that allow editing and commenting, and each file must have a clear descriptive title).

Permit applications and inspections

Permit applications

Before you apply, required documents should be prepared, including your RPR and construction plan. Incomplete applications may delay approvals.

Permit application can be submitted online through myAIRDRIE. Installation work must wait for permit approval. 

Apply for your permit

Inspections

Work done under a permit in Airdrie requires a City inspection, which can be booked through your myAIRDRIE account.

How to book an inspection