Applying for permits to build or renovate in the park

Parks Canada is the land use and development authority for the Jasper townsite and Jasper National Park.

This page includes information on how to apply for permits. Below is a list of the most common activities requiring permits hyperlinked to details on how to apply for each.

Developments:

Discretionary uses:

Other permit actions:

If your specific activity is not listed, or not yet hyperlinked, please consult: General Development Permit Submission Requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What activities do not require a permit?

Permits are not required for general maintenance, or repairs, that do not involve structural changes to a building. For example, you don’t need a permit to replace deck planks, paint the exterior of a house the same colour, replace plumbing fixtures, install cupboards, or change flooring.

What kind of projects need an environmental impact assessment?

A requirement of the development permit process is a cultural and environmental impact analysis.

Most projects within the townsite are covered under a Preapproved Impact Assessment (PDF, 227 KB) and require no further analysis.

Out of Town submissions that have the potential to impact cultural and environmental features require an approved Parks Canada Impact Assessment. For Out of Town development applications a Project Description Form (PDF 437 KB) must be submitted with your development permit submission package to begin the impact assessment review process. An Impact Assessment Specialist will reach out to you if more information is required to complete the assessment. To reach the Impact Assessment office, please email jasperenvironmental@pc.gc.ca.

When do I need to get a building permit?

A Building Permit is required when a proposed development contains life-safety elements covered under the National Building Code – Alberta Edition. Once a Development Permit is issued, you must apply for a Parks Canada Building Permit. Projects requiring a building permit are not eligible for auto-permitting and must be reviewed through the standard process.

Are there any fees associated with getting a permit?

Yes, there are fees associated with permits. New Land Use Planning Regulations for National Parks came into effect in December 2024, introducing a new fee structure for planning services to replace fees that had not been updated in over 50 years. In response to the unique circumstances following the Jasper wildfire, land use planning will be reduced for all properties to be no more than they would have been prior to the new Land Use Planning Regulations coming into force until further notice. Fees will not be charged for pre-application meetings associated with planning permits. In 2026, the only permit fees being charged are for building permit applications, calculated at $7 per $1,000 of project value.

Disclaimer

Realty and Municipal Services, Jasper National Park publishes this webpage to give general information to the public. It is not a legal document that interprets codes and regulations.