Edmonton, Alberta
Residential & Architectural Drafting in Edmonton
Residential design, construction drawings and permit plans for new homes, renovations, additions, basements, secondary suites and backyard housing throughout Edmonton and surrounding communities.
Already have a concept? We can turn it into a detailed drawing set. Still working through the layout? We can help develop the design first.
Every estimate request is reviewed within 24 hours.
Plans That Work
Design Where Needed. Detailed Drawings When the Direction Is Set.
Residential projects arrive at different stages. Some start with a rough idea, while others come from a builder with a layout that is already established.
Drafting Smith handles both. Where design is still needed, we work through the layout and major decisions first. Where the concept is established, we develop the residential drawing package required for the next stage.
The term “architectural drafting” is commonly used for floor plans, elevations, sections and construction drawings. Drafting Smith provides that type of residential drafting work, but is a residential drafting and design company – not an architecture firm.
Local Residential Work
Different Properties Create Different Drawing Problems
New Homes
A new-home design may need to work with the lot, garage placement, site information, developer controls and the eventual municipal drawing package. If a future suite is important, planning the entrance, windows, plumbing and mechanical layout early can save major changes later.
Infill & Redevelopment
Existing-lot projects need to respond to the current zoning, lot dimensions, neighbouring properties, access and the intended housing form before the floor plan is locked in.
Basements & Secondary Suites
Stairs, windows, beams, posts, plumbing and mechanical equipment can quickly define what is realistic. A secondary suite adds separate municipal and building requirements to the layout.
Backyard Housing
Edmonton now uses the term Backyard Housing for self-contained homes located in the rear yard. These projects have their own site, development and building requirements.
Renovations & Additions
Existing and proposed drawings can show what is staying, what is being removed and how new work connects to the house. Structural changes may require engineering.
Selected Work
Edmonton Projects
Explore our residential drafting projects, from custom homes and additions to garages and secondary suites, and see how thoughtful design turns ideas into practical building plans.
Drafting Support
Residential Drawings Without Building an In-House Drafting Team
Drafting Smith works directly with builders, renovators and contractors as well as homeowners.
- new residential plan development
- custom client homes
- revisions to existing concepts
- construction drawing sets
- permit drawings
- renovation and addition plans
- basement and suite plans
- engineering coordination where required
You keep the client relationship. We prepare the drawings and can coordinate with the homeowner or other project partners as directed.
Completed plans are supplied as PDFs. Editable DWG/source files are not provided.
Current Local Requirements
What to Know Before the Drawing Package Is Finalized
Edmonton publishes separate requirements for new homes, secondary suites, backyard housing, renovations, basements and additions. Drafting Smith checks the current project type and property requirements before permit-related drawings are completed.
Permits Are Required for Secondary Suites
The City states that permits are required for all secondary suites. The suite must function as a separate dwelling with its own living, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom space and an entrance arrangement that meets the applicable requirements.
Backyard Housing Requires Development and Building Permits
Edmonton’s current Backyard Housing guidance states that new backyard housing requires both development and building permits.
New-Home Submission Requirements Can Include Engineered Information
For new Part 9 house permits, Edmonton updated its requirements in 2026 to require roof truss assemblies authenticated by an Alberta-licensed engineering professional with the building-permit application.
Alberta New-Home Requirements Still Apply
New homes also fall under Alberta’s builder and warranty framework. An owner who plans to act as the builder needs the applicable Owner Builder Authorization route instead of a builder licence.
The Applicant Submits; the City Decides
Drafting Smith prepares the applicable residential drawings. The homeowner or builder submits the municipal application, and the City makes the approval decision. Outside professional services are separate unless specifically included in the project agreement.
Saskatoon Based. Remote for Everyone.
Edmonton Projects Fit the Normal Process
Drafting Smith is based in Saskatoon and does not maintain an Edmonton office. The company also does not rely on in-person meetings for Saskatoon clients.
Phone calls, email, online meetings and digital plan review are the standard process. For existing homes, we review the plans, photos, measurements, surveys or other information available and determine what still needs to be confirmed.
Every estimate request is reviewed within 24 hours. The project timeline itself depends on complexity, design work required and current workload.
Edmonton & Central/Northern Alberta
Edmonton and the Communities Around It
Drafting Smith works with residential projects throughout Edmonton and nearby communities such as St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Leduc, Beaumont, Fort Saskatchewan, Devon and Morinville.
Country-residential and acreage projects can also be considered in surrounding municipalities such as Strathcona County, Parkland County, Sturgeon County and Leduc County.
The remote process also makes selected projects elsewhere in central and northern Alberta practical. Those markets are treated as their own jurisdictions rather than Edmonton suburbs, and the permit authority is confirmed for the actual property.
Edmonton Area
Edmonton
St. Albert
Sherwood Park
Spruce Grove
Stony Plain
Leduc
Beaumont
Fort Saskatchewan
Devon
Morinville
Acreage & Country-Residential
Strathcona County
Parkland County
Sturgeon County
Leduc County
Edmonton Builder
This was our first project using Drafting Smith and we were thoroughly impressed. The plans were drafted with a few revisions as expected and worked perfectly on site. Will use again.
Rakim A. — Custom New Home
Edmonton FAQs
Questions About Residential Drafting in Edmonton
Do you provide architectural drafting in Edmonton?
Yes, in the residential-drafting sense of preparing floor plans, elevations, sections and construction drawings. Drafting Smith is not an architecture firm and does not represent itself as one.
Can you prepare plans for an Edmonton secondary suite?
Yes. We can develop the layout and applicable residential drawings. Edmonton requires permits for secondary suites, so the property and current requirements are reviewed before the plans are finalized.
What is Backyard Housing in Edmonton?
Backyard Housing is the City’s current term for self-contained housing in the rear yard, replacing older terms such as garage suite or garden suite. New Backyard Housing requires development and building permits.
Do you work directly with Edmonton home builders and contractors?
Yes. Builders and contractors can hire Drafting Smith for plan development, custom client homes, revisions, construction drawings and permit drawing packages.
Can I design a new home before choosing a builder?
Yes, but Alberta’s builder, warranty or owner-builder authorization requirements still need to be addressed before the applicable new-home permit stage.
Do I need in-person meetings in Edmonton?
No. The normal process uses phone, email, online meetings and digital plan review.
Official Information
Useful Edmonton / Alberta Starting Points
Edmonton
Find permit requirements for new homes, renovations, additions and secondary suites.
St. Albert
Review residential building permits, development approvals and new home construction requirements.
Sherwood Park / Strathcona County
Explore permit requirements for residential construction, home additions and secondary suites.
Spruce Grove
Find building permit information for new homes, renovations and residential additions.
Stony Plain
Learn about development approvals and building permits for residential construction projects.
Leduc
Find permit guidelines for home improvements, additions and other residential projects.
Beaumont
Find permit guidelines for home improvements, additions and other residential projects.
Fort Saskatchewan
Explore building permit requirements for new homes, additions and renovation projects.
Red Deer
Review residential permit requirements for new homes, additions, renovations and suites.
Lloydminster
Find building and development permit information for homes, additions and suites.
Planning an Edmonton-Area Project?
Start With What You Already Have
Send the property location, project type and any sketches, existing plans, photos or site information already available. We will review the project and let you know what is needed to define the design and drawing scope.
Every estimate request is reviewed within 24 hours.