Development Services
| Quick Links Development Training for Municipalities When is a development permit required? Development Permit versus Building Permit Development Permit Process Flowchart |
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Development Training
The Oldman River Regional Services Commission provides development expertise to municipalities as well as training for development officers, municipal employees and councillors. Contact ORRSC at 403-329-1344 to provide your municipality with training on development permitting, appeal boards, land use bylaw interpretation and all other aspects of development.
When is a development permit required?
Municipalities require a development permit for almost all types of development**.
- According to the Municipal Government Act – Part 17 – Section 616 “development” means
- an excavation or stockpile and the creation of either of them,
- a building or an addition to or replacement or repair of a building and the construction or placing of any of them on, in, over or under land,
- a change of 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 the use of the land or building, or
- a change in the intensity of use of land or a building or an act done in relation to land or a building that results or is likely to result in a change in the intensity of use of the land or building.
- Please contact your local municipality to obtain an application for a development permit.
**Some municipal land use bylaws stipulate some exceptions to this including: minor renovations, gates, fences, small signs, etc. Please consult your municipality for exact regulations.
Development Permit versus Building Permit
A development permit is not the same as a building permit. A development permit allows a specific type of development on a specific parcel of land in the community to proceed with the zoning and development bylaws of the municipality. A development permit may stipulate some of the following conditions: the allowed use of the property, intensity of that use, building height, building site coverage, setbacks from property lines and other buildings and parking requirements.
A building permit allows construction of buildings or structure to proceed on condition of compliance with the Alberta Building Code which addresses building and fire safety. A building permit is required for the construction, alteration, repair, relocation, demolition, or change of use of a building. Farm accessory buildings, and non-hazardous accessory buildings under 100 square feet (10m2), are exempt. Building permits can be obtained through an accredited Alberta permit licensing agent. To find an accredited agent for your municipality please go here: https://www.alberta.ca/permits-and-albertas-safety-code-system.aspx?
Development Permit Process Flowchart
Below is a very general summary of the development permit process. Please consult your municipality for details.
