Planning & Development Process (Your Land)

Development Permits

Development permits help ensure that buildings and activities on a property are suitable for the land use district, specific parcel, and compatible with neighbouring properties. Land Use Bylaw (LUB).

• You can find your land use district by visiting Discover Parkland and searching the address of your property.

• View your applicable land use district in the LUB to learn if your proposed development is a listed use in your district and find applicable regulations.

Changing districts (redistricting) and creating a new district

Changing districts (also known as redistricting, rezoning or redesignation) is a type of Land Use Bylaw amendment which changes a district that applies to a property or parcel of land. Redistricting is typically a map change within the bylaw. Districts can also be created within County boundaries.

Learn about the process of redistricting, adding, or amending a new district within the County through a Land Use Bylaw Amendment.

Subdivision (creating new parcels, consolidating parcels, lot line adjustments and condominiums)

Subdivision is the legal division of land where separate tiles are created for new parcels. Subdivision also includes lot line adjustments and condominiums (bareland and conventional).

Learn more about subdivision and the process to subdivide in Parkland County.

Development agreements

A development agreement may be included as a condition of subdivision or a development permit. The agreement is a legal document authorized under the Municipal Government Act that forms a binding contract between the Council of Parkland County and a developer. Development agreements are typically required for applications that will include infrastructure projects, and may include (but are not limited to) the terms surrounding the construction of roads, sanitary and potable water piped servicing and stormwater management.

Off-site levies

Off-site levies are charges, established by a municipal bylaw, that help pay for roads and utilities that are outside (off-site) of a development or subdivision. In Parkland County, off-site levies apply to parts of the land in and adjacent to:

• Acheson Business Park area

• Fifth Meridian Business Park area

• Big Lake residential area, north of Highway 16

• County residential areas

Looking to create a long-term plan for your project? Learn how to get started on a conceptual scheme. A conceptual scheme is a plan for a proposed multi-parcel subdivision and how it relates to:

• Existing and future parcels

• Future subdivision and development of adjacent areas

• Access and roads

• Servicing

• Engineering design

• Environmental and community considerations

• Reserves

Learn more about conceptual schemes and how to create one for your subdivision or development proposal, if required.

Statutory planning (Municipal Development Plan and area structure plans)

A statutory plan is a legal document that guides the development of a specific area of a municipality. Within the planning context in Parkland County, we have two levels of statutory plans and policy direction:

• Municipal Development Plan (MDP)

• Area structure plans (ASPs)

All statutory plans are developed and maintained by the County. Amendments to the MDP and ASPs are required when a proposed development does not match the policies within one (or both) of these statutory plans. If a developer wishes to introduce a new area structure plan, we would consider this in the same way as an amendment proposal and application.

Municipal Development Plan (MDP)

Parkland County’s MDP is a high-level plan that establishes a future for the County’s growth for the next 30 years. It sets this future direction by identifying where growth will occur, including residential, industrial and recreational development. It also contains policies for future land use, infrastructure and transportation requirements, and areas for environmental protection.

Learn how to make an amendment to the MDP.

Area structure plans (ASPs)

Area structure plans (ASPs) outline detailed policies for growth and future land use designations of specific areas of the County. View how to apply for a new ASP or make an amendment, as well as current ASPs in Parkland County.

Applying for new addresses for subdivision or changing an address (addressing)

We assign civic addresses for all properties and dwellings in the County. Using our Civic Addressing Bylaw, this system provides the means for police, fire, ambulance and postal services to find every address in Parkland County.

View more information on addressing, including:

• Existing sibdivision maps
• Applying for a civic address
• Confirming an existing address
• Rural and urban addressing
• Getting your postal code from the County
• Getting a rural (green) civic address sign from the County

You can also learn how to change your address with the County and with Land Titles if you have moved or bought a property. It’s important to keep your address current in order to receive necessary changes to certificate of title and regular property assessment and taxation notices.

Fire Services Inspections

Our Fire Prevention Office works with our Planning and Development Services to provide fire inspection services to uphold Fire and Building Code compliance. Every property within the County must adhere to the National Building Code (Alberta Edition), the National Fire Code (Alberta Edition) and Parkland County bylaws.

Learn more about the Fire Inspection Program, checklists and guidelines for required occupancy inspection and how to schedule a fire inspection.