With some time before snowfall, it's the the perfect time to build additions to your home.

But with building comes the confusion of when you need and don't need to require a building permit.

Rob Mueller, manager of permits and assessments for the Town of Okotoks, says the construction, demolition, and alteration of any building within town requires a building permit.

"Permits are required for all structures built or developments occurring on the residential property. Examples are decks, sheds larger that 107 sq. ft. , basement developments, covered decks, pergolas, or even outdoor fire places are also required to have permits on them as well."

The only exemption of this rule are additions that meet the land use bylaw or any decks that are less than a foot off the ground.

Mueller says building permits are required for safety measures.

"Permits are required to ensure that when structures are built that they are safe and comply to all the requirements of the Alberta building code or any other provincial codes that relate to construction and the Safety Codes Act. So when people are entertaining or visiting the property, or just using your personal property, you can assure yourself that the structure was built compliant to meet all of those codes."

For more information on building permits or to obtain one visit okotoks.ca or the municipal centre in downtown Okotoks.

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