Town of Canmore & MD of Bighorn Development Approval

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A new development or business in the Town of Canmore or MD of Bighorn may be required to seek development approvals from their respective Planning and Development Departments. The Municipal Land Use Bylaws list the uses allowed in each land use district, and set down the rules for development in each district. Businesses normally locate on a site zoned for commercial or industrial uses. Developers are encouraged to make an appointment with a development officer early in the project development process. The Land Use Bylaw and land use subdivision (legal) addressing map is available at the Town of Canmore or MD of Bighorn office.  Contact:

 

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Town of Canmore

Planning & Development Department

902 7th Ave., Canmore, AB  T1W 3K1

Ph: (403) 678-1511 • Fx: (403) 678-1534

or

MD of Bighorn No. 8

Planning & Development Department

Box 310 (#2 Heart Mountain Dr.)

Exshaw, AB  T0L 2C0

Ph: (403) 673-3611 • Fx: (403) 673-3895

Do You Need A Confirmation Of Zoning?

In the Town of Canmore, a Confirmation of Zoning is required for all businesses that occupy space within a commercial building unless a development permit for that use within the space has been issued. The Confirmation of Zoning is the first stage a business must undergo prior to obtaining the required Business Registry Number. A Confirmation of Zoning is done in conjunction with a submitted building permit application to the Development Department, along with the appropriate fee and the following information:

  • A building permit application with respect to an existing or proposed land use or business undertaking. This should include both the civic address and legal description of the property, and a mailing address and a phone number for contact.
  • Details regarding the nature of the operation including plans for retail sales, outdoor storage, parking, and other relevant items.
  • A site or floor plan showing existing and/or proposed layout, proposed uses, and the total floor or site area. Identify all retail and showroom areas and provide the floor area of each.

A Development Officer will review an application for Confirmation of Zoning for compliance with the Land Use Bylaw and any previously obtained development permits for the site. The applicant is informed of decisions by mail, fax or telephone, usually within 5 to 10 days. If an application for a Confirmation of Zoning is refused, application for a development permit to allow the use on the site may be made.

Do You Require A Land Use Change (rezoning)?

If your site is not properly zoned for the proposed development, a land use change is required. The zoning change requires an amendment of the Town or MD Land Use Bylaw and will be subject to a public hearing and Council approval. A zoning (Bylaw Amendment) application is submitted to the Planning & Development Department. After an evaluation by staff is completed, the application is then forwarded to Council. As part of the bylaw approval process the land use amendment is subject to three readings (votes) and a public hearing. Council decides all land use rezoning, and its decisions are final. Normally, a land use redesignation application takes 12 to 20 weeks to process, while in the MD, the process can be expected to take approximately 12 weeks.  The MD requires applicants to pay a fee to cover the cost of advertising, notification and administration preparation time.  This fee is non-refundable.

Do You Intend To Subdivide?

If you wish to create a new lot for your development by creating a new legal title, you must apply for subdivision. A subdivision application is submitted to the Planning and Development Department and circulated to numerous departments and public agencies. The proposed subdivision must comply with the requirements of the Municipal Government Act, Provincial Subdivision and Development regulations, applicable statutory plans of the Town of Canmore or MD of Bighorn and the Canmore or MD Land Use Bylaws.

Subdivision applications are presented to Canmore's Council or the MD’s Municipal Planning Commission (as subdivision authority) for a decision. Decisions can be appealed to the Subdivision Development Appeal Board or the Municipal Government Board. A subdivision application takes an average of 9 weeks to process at the Town of Canmore or MD of Bighorn.

Do You Require A Development Permit?

Many new businesses require a development permit. If the new business entails new construction, additions to buildings, or an increase in the intensity of use, a development permit is probably required. Certain changes of use require development permits regardless of whether or not new construction is taking place. A development permit application is submitted to the Development section of the Town or MD’s Planning Department. Proposals are reviewed to ensure compliance with the Land Use Bylaw. In addition, matters such as suitability of the use in its proposed location, design of new construction, site access, provisions for parking and landscaping, and connections to utilities and municipal services may be evaluated.  The MD also considers riparian preservation and flood elevation information. 

In the MD, all applications for “discretionary uses” within a land use district are referred to the Municipal Planning Commission for a decision.  In Canmore, the Development Officer decides on most development permit applications; however, more important and complex development applications are referred to the Canmore Planning Commission for a decision. All approvals are advertised in the local newspaper and are subject to appeal to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. Development permits at the Town of Canmore and the MD of Bighorn take 3 to 4 weeks to process; more complex permits may take 8 to 12 weeks.

Do You Require A Development Permit For Signage?

Canmore is under development pressure related to tourism development and Town Officials recognize the need for enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the town. Certain areas have been identified as requiring more stringent guidelines regarding building signage. Signage guidelines help reduce the visual clutter and aid efforts to develop a “town image” that appeals to visitors and residents alike. In order to regulate and coordinate building signage, all signage types must receive a development permit.

In the MD of Bighorn, almost all signage requires a development permit.  Some exceptions do apply.  Sign specifications must comply with the MD’s Land Use Bylaw.  For signage along provincial highways, proof of acceptability from Alberta Transportation is to be submitted as part of the application for a development permit.  Prior to installing any signage in either the Town of Canmore of the MD of Bighorn, contact their Planning and Development Department.

Do You Require A Building Permit?

In Alberta, all new construction, alterations, or changes of occupancy within commercial establishments require building permits. Building demolitions also require permits. A building permit ensures that the proposed building complies with the Alberta Building Code and is structurally sound and safe. A building permit application may be submitted to the Town of Canmore or MD of Bighorn Planning and Development Department. Notification for building permit approval is by telephone, usually within 3 to 7 days in Canmore, or a few weeks in the MD, depending on the completeness of the working drawings.  This processing time can, under certain conditions, overlap with the processing time of a development permit. Once the building permit is approved, and issued, construction may proceed. The various stage of building construction will be subject to inspections by the Safety Codes Officer.

Industrial Development

Space & industrial uses are limited to the amount of remaining lands zoned for industrial uses within the Town of Canmore.  Most of the existing industrial land is located in and around the Hamlet of Exshaw in the MD of Bighorn.  Any new industrial development or changes to existing industrial developments require a development permit.  Most of the available industrial land is already occupied and developed.  Further information can be obtained by calling the Planning and Development Departments of the MD of Bighorn or Town of Canmore.

Development In Rural Areas Of The MD Of Bighorn

Within rural areas of the municipality, some agricultural construction is exempt from the requirement of a building permit.  This would be the case for low-occupancy farm buildings such as a hay barn.  Generally, if the agricultural building will not be occupied by members of the public and would be restricted to the residents of the property only, and perhaps a hired hand, then a building permit may not be required.  The Safety Codes Officer for Building must do this analysis and a completed application is still required.  The MD’s Safety Codes Officer for Building is to be contacted prior to undertaking any construction.