Can I build a covered deck without a building permit in Calgary if it is under 108 square feet and less than 2 feet off grade?

No, you cannot build a covered deck without a building permit in Calgary, regardless of size or height. While uncovered decks under 108 square feet (10 square meters) and less than 24 inches (600mm) off grade are exempt from permits, any roof or cover structure requires a building permit under the City of Calgary's bylaws.

The key distinction here is the word "covered." The moment you add any type of roof structure, pergola with solid covering, or enclosed overhead protection, you've moved beyond the small deck exemption and into permit-required territory. This applies even to a tiny 50 square foot covered deck that's only 12 inches off the ground.

Why the permit requirement exists is straightforward: covered structures create additional structural loads (snow, wind, dead load of roofing materials) that must be engineered properly. Calgary's extreme weather conditions make this especially critical. We regularly see snow loads of 40+ pounds per square foot, and chinook winds can exceed 100 km/h. A poorly designed cover structure can fail catastrophically, potentially causing injury or property damage.

The permit process ensures your covered deck meets Alberta Building Code requirements for structural integrity, proper footings below the 1.2+ meter frost line, and adequate connections to resist wind uplift. Even a simple roof structure needs to be designed for Calgary's snow and wind loads, which are among the highest in Canada.

What you can build without a permit in Calgary includes uncovered decks under 108 square feet and less than 24 inches high, simple pergolas without solid roofing (open slat construction that doesn't shed water), and basic platform decks at grade level. The moment you add roofing material, enclosed sides, or go above the size/height thresholds, you need permits.

The permit process for a covered deck typically takes 4-6 weeks and costs $500-$1,500 depending on complexity. You'll need structural drawings showing foundation details, beam sizing, and connection details. Most homeowners hire a contractor or structural technologist to prepare the drawings, as the structural requirements can be complex.

Getting caught without permits can result in stop-work orders, fines up to $100,000, and requirements to demolish non-compliant structures. More importantly, unpermitted structures can void your home insurance and create problems when selling. The City of Calgary actively enforces permit requirements, especially after neighbor complaints.

Your next step should be contacting the City of Calgary at 311 or visiting calgary.ca/development to confirm permit requirements for your specific design. If you're planning a covered deck, factor 6-8 weeks for the permit process before construction can begin. Find verified deck contractors familiar with Calgary's permit process in our Calgary Construction Network directory to help navigate the requirements properly.