An approved development permit is required prior to the commencement of any development. Development is defined as:

  1. excavation or stockpile of earth and creation of either of them; or
  2. a building or an addition to a building, replacement or repair of a building; or
  3. change in use of land or a building or an act done in relation to land or a building that results in, or is likely to result in, a change in use of land or building; or
  4. a change in the intensity of use of land or a building or any act done in relation to land or a building that results in, or is likely to result in, a change in the intensity of use of land or building.

To determine if your proposed project requires a development permit contact the development staff.

Permitted Use Permits

Permitted use is defined as the use of land or building captioned “permitted uses” in the Land Use Districts, appearing in the Land Use Bylaw, for which a development permit shall be issued upon an application having conformed to the provisions of the Land Use Bylaw.

Discretionary Use Permits

Discretionary use is defined as the use of land or buildings captioned “discretionary uses” in the Land Use Districts, appearing in the Land Use Bylaw, for which a development permit may or may not be issued subject to a full review and consideration by the Development Authority. The approval of discretionary uses is optional, subject to the Development Authority’s discretionary judgment based upon the merits of the application for the purpose of orderly development.

The Development Permit Process

Estimated timeline for development permit issuance:

  • Permitted Uses – Minimum 1 week
  • Discretionary Uses – Minimum 2 weeks
  • Intermunicipal Development Plan Area – Minimum 3 weeks

An application must contain:

  • Application Form containing but not limited to the following information:
    • Name, address, and phone number of the applicant and landowner
    • Legal land location and/or civic address
    • Description of existing development on the lands, if any
    • Description of the proposed development including dimensions
    • Proposed use
    • Proposed start and end date of construction
    • Project/construction value
    • Signature of applicant and landowner (if the applicant is not the landowner)
  • Fee (established by Council in the Fee Schedule Bylaw)
  • County road and access approval
  • Business Information as requested in the application
  • Abandoned Well Confirmation Form (if the application is for vacant rural parcel)
  • Completed site plan including:
    • Location of proposed buildings including setbacks from property lines
    • Location of existing buildings including setbacks from property lines
    • Location of shelterbelts and treed areas
    • Location of parking and loading areas
    • Location and depths of ravines, lakes, sloughs, and any other water bodies
    • Location of roads and/or road allowances
    • Location of driveway/access

Additional information that may be required:

  • Photos of Mobile Homes and other buildings to be moved on site
  • Surveyed site plot plan/Real Property Report completed by surveyor including parking provisions
  • Drainage plan
  • Landscaping plan
  • Blueprints/Design Drawings
  • Length and width of the property

Development staff to ensure application conforms to Land Use Bylaw (LUB), Area Structure Plan (ASP), Municipal Development Plan (MDP), Inter-municipal Development Plan (IDP), Subdivision and Development Regulations, and other such legislation as may be applicable to the proposed development.

  • Conformance to Land Use Bylaw zoning districts and setbacks
  • Legal access (road and access constructed to County standards, an inspection may be required)
  • Traffic/noise impact
  • Parking
  • Outstanding caveats on the property
  • Off-site levy fees
  • Neighbourhood impact
  • Utility serviceability
  • Design standards
  • Airport Vicinity Protection Area

Development staff to prepare approval with conditions for any permitted use development permit application. For discretionary use, development staff prepares recommended action with conditions for Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) or Inter-municipal Planning Commission (IMPC) review, in accordance with applicable legislation.

Once a decision is made a letter will be sent to the applicant and/or landowner notifying them of the decision.

Permitted use Development Permits:

  • Come into effect 14 days after the approval is issued.
  • Are sent to referral agencies including ATCO Electric, Superior Safety Codes, and other County departments, as well as Alberta Transportation, First Nations representatives, or other municipalities including the town of High Level, when applicable.

Discretionary use Development Permits:

  • Undergo a 21-day commenting period commencing the day the approval is issued. During the commenting period the permit is advertised in the local newspaper and social media, letters may also be sent to adjacent landowners if deemed appropriate.
  • Are sent for comment, to referral agencies including ATCO Electric, Superior Safety Codes, and other County departments, as well as Alberta Transportation, First Nations representatives, or adjacent municipalities including the town of High Level, when applicable.

Download the Development Permit Application Package (Industrial/Commercial):

Download the Development Permit Application Package (Residential/Farm):

Download a PDF version of the Development Permit Brochure:

View the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Bylaw