Automotive Dealership and Repair Facility Due Diligence in Alberta

1. Create the property-and-operation control schedule

List every parcel, building, bay, display area, storage yard, wash area, paint booth, fuel or charging asset, sign, drain, interceptor, hoist and licensed activity. Tie each to title or lease, approved plan, permit, licence, equipment record and current physical condition.

Record source, effective date, expiry, conditions, preparer, reliance and unresolved differences. A historical approval or neighbouring automotive use should not be applied to the subject property without verification.

• Exact activities
• Municipal uses
• AMVIC classes
• Display and storage
• Wastewater and environment
• Hoists and equipment

2. Match every activity to current municipal approval

Classify new and used sales, wholesale, leasing, consignment, repair, heavy-vehicle work, body and paint, detailing, washing, fuel, charging, parts, storage and outdoor display separately. Obtain current development, building, occupancy, fire, business and sign records.

Edmonton states that a repair business adding vehicle sales may require separate uses. Calgary distinguishes sales and service activities by scale and vehicle type. A general automotive label does not approve every component.

3. Verify AMVIC and inspection-facility requirements

Map the intended activities and location to AMVIC's current licence classes, municipal-approval prerequisite, trade-certificate and insurance requirements. Confirm the proposed buyer's application and operating sequence directly with AMVIC.

If regulated inspections are performed, verify the separate facility and technician licences, permitted programs and vehicle types. A seller's AMVIC licence or Vehicle Inspection Program status does not prove the buyer, premises or staff will be approved.

4. Reconcile site circulation, display and vehicle custody

Map customer, inventory, delivery, service, tow, parts, waste, emergency and pedestrian movement. Test access, turning, queuing, loading, snow storage, fire routes, accessible parking, security and conflicts among display, storage and repair activities.

Create a VIN-level location and custody schedule for owned, financed, consigned, customer, loaner, sold-not-delivered and off-site vehicles. Vehicles physically present are not automatically property inventory.

5. Review bays and building systems

Measure doors, bay clearances, slab, drainage, ventilation, make-up air, exhaust, heating, gas, electrical capacity, compressed air, lighting, fire protection, washrooms, offices, parts storage and roof penetrations against the intended vehicle and work mix.

A bay count is not productive capacity. Separate physical bays from approved, equipped, staffed and operational bays, and identify seasonal or workflow constraints.

6. Trace sanitary, storm and process drainage

Map every floor drain, trench, sump, interceptor, wash pad, roof drain, yard inlet and discharge route. Review drawings, permits, sewer inspections, sampling, cleaning, disposal and maintenance records with qualified professionals.

Calgary addresses automotive pre-treatment; EPCOR may require oil, grease and sand interception where vehicles or equipment are serviced, repaired or washed. A drain or interceptor is not proof of correct connection, legal discharge, capacity or condition.

7. Build the environmental history

Review former uses, neighbouring activities, tanks, dispensers, hoists, drains, sumps, fill, spills, waste, solvents, paint, batteries, coolants, used oil and remediation. Use Alberta's Environmental Records Viewer as one dated records source.

A clear public-record search does not establish that contamination is absent. Have a qualified environmental professional define Phase I, Phase II, reliance, remediation or other work for the property and transaction.

8. Review chemicals, waste and storage

Inventory fuels, oils, coolant, solvents, refrigerants, paint, thinners, batteries, tires, filters, contaminated absorbents and other waste. Trace storage, secondary containment, labelling, safety data, pickup, manifests and contractor records.

Confirm sanitary, storm, fire, environmental and occupational requirements for the actual materials and quantities. A waste hauler invoice does not prove all materials or historical periods were handled correctly.

9. Inspect hoists and specialized equipment

Schedule hoists, alignment racks, frame machines, booths, compressors, tire and wheel equipment, chargers, diagnostics and fixed systems by owner, serial number, age, installation, rating, maintenance, inspections, defects and included status.

Alberta's OHS Code contains vehicle-hoist requirements. A hoist that raises a vehicle during a tour is not proof of compliant installation, inspection, maintenance, structural support or safe continued use.

10. Review paint, welding, exhaust and fire dependencies

Document body repair, paint preparation and spraying, welding, cutting, battery work, fuel-system work and engine exhaust. Review booth, ventilation, make-up air, electrical classification, fire suppression, gas detection and hazardous-area requirements with qualified professionals.

Confirm permits, testing, maintenance and insurer requirements. A booth, exhaust fan or fire-suppression tag does not approve the buyer's proposed chemicals, throughput or processes.

11. Verify lease, title and improvement rights

For leased property, review use, outdoor display and storage, alterations, roof penetrations, drains, hoists, booth, signs, environmental obligations, assignment, change of control, restoration and landlord consent. For owned property, review title, access, encroachments, taxes, capital and financing.

Determine ownership and removal obligations for every fixture and improvement. Municipal approval does not create a lease right, and landlord consent does not create regulatory approval.

12. Convert findings into a closing record

Maintain an issues log showing finding, evidence, consequence, professional owner, response, deadline and closing treatment. Coordinate licensing, permits, environment, wastewater, equipment, insurance, vehicle custody, floorplan and possession.

This guide is educational and is not a municipal approval, AMVIC decision, environmental assessment, engineering report, equipment certification, OHS review, wastewater authorization, legal opinion or appraisal. Commercially does not certify automotive facilities, licences, discharges, equipment or environmental condition.