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Development

Planning Documents

Planning and Development Department understands the values of the community and reflects those values into our plans, policies and bylaws for the immediate and future development of our town. Our core mandate is to assist our residents to achieve their development goals and objectives.

Planning and Development Department is available to discuss your development and building plans. Before beginning any project there are several steps you will need to take to make sure your new development is in compliance with local bylaws and regulations.

Development Services is governed by provincial legislation including the Municipal Government Act, Part 17 Planning and Development:  https://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/acts/m26.pdf, the Subdivision and Development Regulation https://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2002_043.pdf, and numerous municipal bylaws, plans and policies.

The Athabasca Watershed Plan is a comprehensive planning process involving governments, non-government organizations, industry, Indigenous communities and the public. Participants identify social, economic and environmental watershed values, as well as the issues affecting them. An integrated watershed management plan (IWMP) is developed and implemented in order to resolve these issues and protect our shared values. Integrated watershed management plans provide advice to governments and agencies that have policy and regulatory decision-making authority for water, land and resource management.  This plan is currently in the work and will eventually provide policy direction to municipalities within the watershed catchment area.

An Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) is a high level statutory land-use plan prepared collaboratively between two (or more) municipalities.  The following IDP is at the interface between the Town of Mayerthorpe and surrounding Lac Ste. Anne County.  IDPs provide land use and development policy direction for lands of mutual importance, agreed to and adopted through matching municipal bylaws of the Town of Mayerthorpe and Lac Ste. Anne County.

A Municipal Development Plan (MDP) is a key policy plan that communicates the long term desired land use in the Town of Mayerthorpe. It is a high-level blueprint that shows how the Town is expected to change over time and the shape it will take in the future.  Much like a blueprint that guides the construction of a house, an MDP helps many decision makers collectively build their shared and desired physical setting.  The resource that is being managed is the land base that is occupied by all members of the Town. This land base is typically limited and is expected to accommodate many activities and functions. 

An Area Structure Plan (ASP) is a key policy plan that proposes a sequence of development for an area within the Town of Mayerthorpe, the future land uses, the density of population, and the general location of transportation and public utilities.

A Land Use Bylaw (LUB) establishes rules and regulations for land development, as well as, the process of making decisions for development permit applications within the Town of Mayerthorpe. 

Municipal Planning Policies in the Municipal Policy Handbook are intended to:

  • promote common understanding of Council's policy objectives
  • provide direction to allow Administration to meet council's policy objectives
  • facilitate better and more timely decisions
  • ensure uniformity in the interpretation and implementation of policy
  • encourage coordination and integration of actions and plans within and across functional areas and departments

The following policies are specific to development, subdivision, construction, and associated incentives and rebates:

A Master Drainage Plan quantifies the effectiveness of the existing drainage systems in place, proposes drainage upgrades required to address existing drainage and accommodate additional development, and develops an overall drainage plan to allow development to proceed. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I require a development permit for a garage?

Yes, you do require a development permit if the garage is over 100 feet2 or 9.3 m2. To download a brochure with setback requirements for a: detached garage click here, for an attached garage click here.

2. Do I need a permit for a deck?

Not if the deck is less than 2.0 feet or 0.61 m in height.

3. I want to build or move a shed or accessory building onto my property do I need a permit?

A garden or tool shed in the rear yard of a residential parcel that is less than 120.0 feet2 or 11.1 m2 in floor area and less than 8.2 feet in height does notrequire a development permit. The shed still needs to meet setback requirements which are: no closer to the front street than the closest portion of the principal building; a minimum of 6.56 feet or 2.0 m from the principal building; the exterior wall of the accessory building is at least 3.28 feet or 1.0 m from the side and rear boundaries of the parcel; no roof overhang shall be within 1.0 foot or 0.3 m of the side and rear property boundary.

4. Do I need a permit to build a fence?

Yes, if you are building a fence on a corner parcels or where the front and rear
yards are both active roadways, and if you are building over 6ft in side and rear yard and over 2ft in front yards.

5. I want to renovate my house do I need a development permit?

If the renovations include structural alterations or additions then yes you require a development permit.

6. What is site coverage?

Site coverage is the amount of your property that is covered by any surface other than landscaping. This includes all hard surfacing (bricks, asphalt or concrete), the dwelling, garage, accessory buildings, decks, hot tubs, etc. The amount of allowable coverage varies for residential, commercial and industrial districts. You can look up the coverage in the Land Use Bylaw Part VIII link below.

7. What is a Certificate of Conformance?

A Certificate of Conformance verifies that the property meets the requirements of the current Land Use Bylaw and can be obtained from the Town Office. Lawyers, banks or a person purchasing a property may request a Certificate of Conformance to ensure that there are no outstanding issues with the property.

8. Do I require a permit for a fire pit?

You do not require a permit if the fire pit meets all the regulations as established in The Town of Mayerthorpe Burning Bylaw 954. To apply for a permit contact the Town Office.

9. Who is responsible for the maintenance of Highway 22 through Mayerthorpe?

The Government of Alberta contracts out to maintain this highway.

10. What is a Real Property Report, an easement and a right-of way?

You can download brochures on these three topics as well as others from the Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association website.

 

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