Subdivision
What is Subdivision?
Subdivision is the process of dividing a piece of land into any number of smaller parcels of land (as permitted by the County's and the Province's regulations). Each newly created parcel is issued its own registered title from an Alberta Land Titles Office. Subdivision may also include the movement (adjustment) of existing property lines between existing parcels of land.
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Who Can Apply To Subdivide?
Only the person(s) who are registered owner(s) of the land that is to be subdivided can apply for a subdivision. However, the owner may appoint an authorized person to act on his/her behalf. Although anyone can be appointed, an authorized person is usually a planning consultant, land surveyor or lawyer. Click here for an Applicants Authorization Form.
Land cannot be subdivided without the permission of the registered owner(s).
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How To Apply To Subdivide
Prior to submitting your formal application, you are encouraged to contact the County for a consultation. This is to ensure that you are aware of, and familiar with, all of the existing land use planning documents and policies that may affect your application and to clarify any of the requirements contained on this web site.
An "Application for Subdivision" will only be accepted by Parkland County as being complete when ALL of the following information has been submitted and ready for circulation to the various referral agencies.
(1) A Completed Application Form
The application form must be completed in its entirety. It is important to provide accurate information on the location and legal description of your property, the existing uses of the land, the proposed use(s) of the land, the location of any buildings, fences or other improvements, the number of lots you are proposing to create, the physical characteristics of the land, and the reason for your subdivision. You must indicate the existing and specific use(s) of the land that is the subject of the application (e.g. - it is not sufficient to state "intensive agriculture". The type of intensive agriculture must be specified, e.g. - tree farm, market garden). The same specification applies to commercial use (e.g. - accommodation, auctioneering services, etc.).
(2) Preparation of Tentative Plans or Sketch Plans
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The location, dimensions and boundaries of the titled area.
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The location, dimensions and boundaries of each new lot(s) to be created and their distance from existing boundaries.
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The location of existing buildings and their distances from the two (2) nearest existing or proposed boundaries and/or quarter section boundaries.
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The type (garage, shed, house, barn, etc.) and dimensions of existing buildings on the land specifying those buildings that are to be demolished or moved, if any.
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The size and location from the two (2) nearest existing or proposed boundaries of any natural features such as:
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- sloughs, lakes, ponds, or other bodies of water,
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- rivers, creeks, steams, or intermittent water courses,
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- muskeg or wooded areas, and
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- swamps.
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The location and distance from existing buildings and the two (2) nearest existing or proposed boundaries of any man made features such as:
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- dug outs or ponds,
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- oil or gas wells and/or batteries,
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- major drainage ditches,
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- domestic water wells, sewage disposal systems, and cultivated or pasture land.
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- underground storage tanks.
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The location, numbers, names or other designations of any:
Subdivision sketches creating no more than two parcels and not creating any public roadways, may be prepared by the applicant, however, the information listed above must still be provided or the application may not be accepted.
Subdivision sketches that form part of a complex application involving roads and more than two parcels (e.g., plan of subdivision) must be prepared by a qualified person (e.g., planning consultant, surveyor, etc.) In these cases we require 4 copies of the sketch, and a reduced plan not larger than 8 ½ X 11 drawn at a scale of not less than 1:2000 from which we will produce sufficient other copies for other uses.
(3) Landowner Authorization
An application for subdivision can only be authorized by the registered owner(s). If it is more convenient, the landowner(s) may have another authorized person act on his/her behalf. To do so, an Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the registered landowner(s). This is the statement that legally authorizes the person that has been designated, to act on your behalf. If there is more than one registered owner of the property, all owners must sign the "Authorization Form". For example, this would include joint ownership between a husband and wife, between parents and children, or between business partners.
(4) Application Fee
The application must include the application fee. Payment may be in the form of cash, cheque or money order, payable to Parkland County.
(5) Current Photocopy of Title
A copy of the Certificate of Title dated not more than fourteen (14) days prior to the date on which the County receives the application must accompany all applications. You may request that the County acquire a copy of your Title from Land Titles for a fee of $5.00.
(6) Right of Entry
The Right of Entry Form must be completed in its entirety and signed by you or your authorized agent. The right of entry is your permission for us to visit and inspect the land you are subdividing if we find it necessary to do so.
(7) Geotechnical Tests
Subdivisions which will have the effect of creating or eventually creating five or more unserviced lots within a quarter section should be accompanied by near surface water table tests, percolation tests for sewage disposal, and potable water supply information. The Geotechnical Report shall be prepared in accordance with Alberta Environment's Guidelines and/or Section 23 of the Water Act and to the satisfaction of the Subdivision Authority. The geotechnical information submitted must be contained in a report that is signed and sealed by a certified member of APEGGA. The report must contain an appropriate and thorough analysis, discussion and recommendation pertaining to the test results, including a professional assessment of the suitability/appropriateness of the subdivision proposal and design in the context of the geotechnical information submitted.
The requirement for geotechnical information may also be placed on subdivisions of fewer than five lots if the Subdivision Authority has reason to believe that the land that is proposed to be subdivided may have significant physical limitations to development or if the proposed use of the land creates unusual circumstances that require additional consideration.
Note: Some, or all, of this information may not be required if the land you are subdividing is serviced with piped municipal water and sewer systems.
(8) Time Extensions
If a decision on your application cannot be made within 60 days, we will ask you to give us additional time by sending you a form to complete. The "Time Extension Form" may be completed and signed by the registered owner or his/her authorized agent and submitted to us at any time during the 60-day processing period. If you do not grant an extension to the 60 day period, the application is deemed to be refused and you may appeal this decision.
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