Development PERmits

Home and Residential Development

A development permit is required for any residential development in Camrose County. This includes manufactured homes, mobile homes, modular homes, single detached dwellings, duplexes, townhouses and apartments. 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.

To begin the development application process you will need to complete the application form, include a site plan, construction plans (blueprints), and possibly approvals from Alberta Transportation and the Abandoned Wells. If additional approvals are required the Planning Department staff can assist you.

Shops and Outbuildings

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.

If the accessory building is less than 10m2 and meets the setback requirements, no development permit is required.

Agricultural 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)

Generally, 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.

How Long does the permit process take:

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.

Is Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Approval Required?

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.

What if my application is refused?

If the application is refused, you have 21 days from the date of refusal to appeal. An appeal must be in writing and must be accompanied by the development appeal fee of $150. The appeal will be heard by the Intermunicipal Development Appeal Board.