A development permit is required for many types of development within Camrose County, including:

• Building a new structure (such as a house, garage, or deck)
• Adding to or renovating an existing structure
• Demolishing a structure
• Moving a portable building onto or off a property
• Starting or changing a home-based, commercial, or industrial business

Planning staff are available to answer your questions and help guide you through the application process.

Development not requiring a development permit:

Accessory Buildings

Accessory buildings such as shops and garages also require development permits, as do fences over 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height in front yards and over 1.8 meters (6 feet) in side and rear yards.

If the accessory building is less than 10m2, meets the setback requirements and the general regulations related to conditions like height and number of structures on a property, then no development permit is required. If any requirement is not met then a permit is required. In addition, accessory buildings may need a permit if they are close to some of our urban neighbours. Contact the planning department to confirm if a permit is required.

An accessory building is one that is separate and subordinate to the main building, and the use of the building is incidental to the main building, but is located on the same lot.  Accessory buildings would include sheds and shops, and includes fabric covered buildings.

Workshops are Permitted uses (if your development meets the provisions of the Land Use Bylaw) in certain zoning districts and a Discretionary Use in other zones.  Call the Planning Office staff for more information.

Accessory Farm Buildings

An accessory farm building does not need a development permit, as long as it meets setback requirements (distances from property borders), and is not located in the Urban Fringe (areas close to urban centers)

A farm building is defined as a building that:

• Does not include residential occupancy
• Is located on a farm, zoned agricultural, and directly supports the primary farm operation
• Has a low occupancy load (there are not a lot of people in it)
• Is only used by the farmer and the farmer’s family

And the building is used for:

• Housing Livestock
• Storing, sorting, grading or bulk packaging primary agricultural products, or
• Housing, storing or maintaining farm equipment.

A development permit is different from a building permit.

Depending on your project, you may also need building, electrical, plumbing, gas or private sewage permits.

These safety codes permits are issued by the City of Camrose Building Department on behalf of Camrose County.

You may also need provincial approvals if your property is near a provincial highway.

Permits are required by the Safety Codes Act of the Province of Alberta. This legislation sets the minimum standards for construction and building safety for the province. Also many lending institutions and insurance companies request proof of code compliance prior to issuing a mortgage or insurance for a building or residence.

All Safety Code permits are issued by the City of Camrose Building Department on behalf of Camrose County.

City of Camrose
5204 - 50 Avenue
Camrose, AB, T4V 0S8

Email: permits@camrose.ca
Phone: 780-672-4428
Fax: 780-672-6316
www.camrose.ca

Dugouts in Agricultural and restricted agricultural districts do not require a development permit, but they must be set back from roads and property lines as if they were buildings.

Although a permit isn't required for a dugout, changing the way water flows on your property can have negative effects on your neighbours property.  The Planning Department is here to help with any concerns.

See Water Act information related to Dugouts here.

Resource extraction includes sand, gravel, clay, coal and minerals, and is commonly related to gravel pits in Camrose County.

Resource Extraction requires a development permit and the fee for the permit is $2,000.00.

Section 633 of the Land Use Bylaw covers resource extraction.  Please contact the Planning Department for assistance.

Intensive Livestock Operations means any activity and its associated buildings where livestock are confined at a density of at least one animal unit per 370 m² (4,000 ft²) for the purpose of breeding, sustaining, growing, or finishing by means other than grazing, but at a smaller scale than a confined feeding operation. It does not include a seasonal feeding site confining livestock from November to May, or an area used for short term assembling, sorting, branding, or health management.  Intensive Livestock operations require a development permit.

Confined Feeding Operations require provincial approvals.   

Link to NRCB (Natural Resources Conservation Board) Confined Feeding Operations website.  

The County reviews each application to make sure the proposed building, development or business follows the Land Use Bylaw and is suitable for the property and surrounding area.

Depending on the project, the County may consider:

• Location and size: Where buildings or structures will be placed and how much space they will take up.
• Property use: Whether the proposed building or activity is allowed in that area.
• Access and parking: How vehicles will enter and leave the property, including parking needs and traffic.
• Impact on neighbours: Potential concerns such as noise, dust, lighting and hours of operation.

The County may include conditions on an approved permit to help address these concerns.

The County uses permits instead of licenses which would be renewed every year.  A development permit is only needed once unless the business expands, changes or ceases operations for an extended period and then starts up again.

Processing times for development permit applications vary depending on the type of development.  The Development Officer must make a decision on a permit within 40 days of application, although typically approvals are granted much sooner. A permitted use is typically issued within 5- 7 business days.  A discretionary use usually takes one month due to the extra processing requirements, such as advertising and public engagement.

Approval is required from Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors if any of the property is within 1/2 mile (800m) of a provincial highway, unless an exemption has been provided through the Highway Vicinity Management Agreement (HVMA) between Camrose County and Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors.

Generally exemptions are provided for permitted uses as listed in the County's Land Use Bylaw (except commercial/industrial) with no direct highway access. Applicants will still need to abide by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors regulations, but Camrose County will notify the applicant of those requirements as part of the County's development permit process.

Despite the HVMA exemptions, Camrose County and/or Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors may request a review and roadside development permit application at any time if either party determines the additional review is necessary.

Fees are based on the estimated project costs as determined by the Planning Department.

• Less than $10,000 = $50.00
• $10,000 to $500,000 = $100.00
• More than $500,000 = $150.00
• Natural Resource Extraction = $2000.00

If the development is discretionary add $50.00.

If work has started prior to obtaining a permit, the fee is doubled.

If wells exist within the project development area, the applicant must submit written confirmation that the licensee responsible for each well has been contacted, the exact well location confirmed, and setback requriements established that do not impact the development (typically 5 meters).

A map of the abandoned wells on your property can be found on the AER (formerly ERCB) website.  Click here to access the AER website.  The Abandoned Well Map is under systems and tools.