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M.D. of Foothills No. 31
Planning & Development
judy.gordon@mdfoothills.com
309 Macleod Trail,  High River, Alberta
Phone:  (403) 652-2341 or (403) 931-1905

BYLAWS

Land Use Bylaw
Municipal Development Plan
Appendix
(Municipal Dev. Plan)
Dog Control
Water Policy
Traffic Bylaw

Fees

Planning Fees
(Development, Building, Redesignation, Subdivision)
 

  

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


This page was last edited  January 20, 2009 03:02 PM

What You Should Know About Development Issues

 Animal Units
Three animal units per lot on lots between three (3) and nine (9) acres in size – or – one (1) animal unit per 1.2 ha (3 acres) of land included in the title to the lot.

How to Apply for Intensive Livestock Operations
Submit an application for a Development Permit and applicable Permit fees.  Please refer to Development Permit Application and Procedures for the process.

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Dogs
The keeping of up to (3) three adult dogs over six months of age on a lot containing a dwelling, without a development permit is permitted. A "Dog Control Bylaw" has been implemented, which focuses on the Hamlets, public safety and vicious dog issues.  Please read the Dog Owner's Code of Conduct page.

 How to Apply for Dog Kennels
You will be required to apply for a Site Specific Amendment.  The fee for this process is $500.00 and a public hearing will need to be held in front of Council.  Provided this application is approved a final fee of $250.00 will be required.  Further to the approval you would then be required to submit an application for a Development Permit as well as the applicable Permit fees of (Private Kennel) $425 and (Commercial) $675.

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 Landscaping and Fencing
All trees, shrubs, shelterbelts and farm dugouts shall be set back:
20 m (65.62 ft.) from the centre line of any Municipal road;
25 m (82.02 ft.) from the centre line of any secondary Highway and Dunbow road;
40 m (131.23 ft.) from the ultimate right of way of any primary highway.

 The minimum distances required for yards do not apply to fences less than 2 m (6.5 ft.) in height.

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Accessory Buildings
Once a dwelling has been constructed on the Lot, a detached accessory building for personal use, whether on temporary or permanent foundations, is permitted as specified:

1 acre or less - One building up to 150 sq. ft. (14 sq. m.)

1.01 to 1.99 acres - One building up to 500 sq. ft. (13.9 sq. m.) and one additional building up to 150 sq. ft. (14 sq. m.)

2 to 3 acres - One building up to 1,200 sq. ft. (111.48 sq. m.) and one additional building up to 150 sq. ft. (14 sq. m.)

3.01 to 10 acres - One building up to 2,400 sq. ft. (223 sq. m.) and one additional building up to 150 sq. ft. (14 sq. m.). Additional allowance for a horse shelter, not to exceed 200 sq. ft. (18.58 sq. m.).

Over 10.01 to 20 acres - One building up to 3,200 sq. ft. (297 sq. m.) and one additional building up to 150 sq. ft. (14 sq. m.). Additional allowance for two horse shelters, each shelter is not permitted to exceed 200 sq. ft. (18.58 sq. m.).

Over 20 acres - One building up to 4,000 sq. ft. (297 sq. m.) and one additional building up to 150 sq. ft. (14 sq. m.). Additional allowance for three horse shelters, each shelter is not permitted to exceed 200 sq. ft. (18.58 sq. m.)

Flexibility will be permitted for additional buildings or one larger building provided they meet the total square footage for the acres as noted above. Please note that “personal use” does not include the operation of a business or the storage of business materials.

For more detailed information, click here.

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Arenas

Arena (Commercial) – means a building or structure within which equestrian, athletic or recreational activities or contests are carried on and intended to be used by persons other than occupants of the residence, if any, located on the lot upon which the arena is located, which will result in the generation of more than sixteen (16) additional vehicle trips on any single day to or from the site of the arena; or use of the arena for any purpose on any single day by more than sixteen (16) persons other than occupants of the residence. 

Arena (Limited Public) – means a building or structure within which equestrian, athletic, recreational activities or contests are carried on and intended to be used by persons other than occupants of the residence, if any, located on the lot upon which the arena is located, which will result in the generation of no more than sixteen (16) additional vehicle trips on any single day to or from the site of the arena or use of the arena for any purpose on any single day by no more than sixteen (16) persons other than occupants of the residence. 

Arena (Private) – means a building or structure within which equestrian, athletic or recreational activities are carried on.  No more than four non-resident users creating no more than eight (8) additional vehicle trips on any single day may use the facility.

How To Apply
You will be required to apply for a Site Specific Amendment.  The fee for this process Commercial:  $500, Limited Public:  $400 and a public hearing will need to be held in front of Council.  Provided this application is approved a final fee of $250.00 will be required.  Private Arenas require a Development Permit only.

 Further to the approval you would then be required to submit an application for a Development Permit as well as the applicable Permit fees, Commercial: $1,750, Limited Public: $575, Personal Use: $350. Please refer to Development Permit Application and Procedures for the process.

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Mobile (Modular) Homes
A designated manufactured home less than 18 feet in width or length, on a permanent foundation, may be placed on a parcel that is 32.38 ha (80 acres) or more in size constructed after September 01, 1989.  No designated manufactured homes less than 18 feet in width or length are allowed on a parcel less than 80 acres. 

 A designated manufactured home in excess of 18 feet both in width and length may be used as a permanent detached single family dwelling if placed upon a permanent foundation and meet the minimum habitable area requirements for a dwelling in the applicable land use district.

 A Development Permit, fees are $200, for a designated manufactured home on a temporary foundation may be approved for a temporary period not exceeding:

  • dwelling temporary (24 months) where it is to be used for farm help purposes for the landowner; and

  • dwelling temporary (12 months) where it is to be used as a dwelling temporary while the principal dwelling on the lot is under construction provided that either:

    • construction of the principal dwelling has progressed to the stage where the basement has been enclosed; or

    • a development agreement has been made and a letter of credit or cash deposit to guarantee construction of an enclosed basement.

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Intensive Vegetation Operation
Means a system of tillage for the concentrated raising of specialty crops for wholesale distribution, including but not limited to tree farms, greenhouses, plant nurseries, sod farms and similar uses.

How To Apply
Submit an application for a Development Permit and the applicable Permit fees of $475.00.  Please see Municipal Office as there are further requirements.

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Home Occupations
A home based business means a business conducted in a dwelling.  Each home based business is separated into two different categories, minor and major.

Minor Home Based Business
All minor home based businesses shall comply with the following:

      No offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odor, heat, glare, electrical or radio disturbance detectable beyond the boundary of the lot shall be produced by the business.

      A fascia sign to identify a home based business shall not exceed 0.55 sq. m. (5.92 sq. ft.) in area.

      Any materials or goods related to the business must be stored within the principal dwelling or accessory building and no outside storage is permitted.

      Up to four (4) business visits per day are allowed.

      Exterior alterations or additions to accommodate a business shall not be permitted.

      The number of non-resident employees working on-site shall not exceed one (1).

How To Apply For Minor Home Based Business
Submit an application for a Development Permit and applicable Permit fees of $200.00.  Please refer to Development Permit Application and Procedures for the process.

Major Home Based Business
All major home based businesses shall comply with the following:

      the number of non-resident employees working on-site shall not exceed five (5);

      up to eight (8) business visits per day are allowed;

      on lots greater than 4 ha. (10 acres) exterior storage may be allowed if, in the opinion of the Development Officer, the exterior storage is adequately screened;

      any interior or exterior alterations or additions to accommodate a home business, may be allowed at the discretion of the Development Officer, as long as such alterations comply with this Bylaw, the Alberta Safety Codes Act and any other bylaws applicable statutes, bylaws and regulations.

 If any requirements of a Home Based Business Major exceeds the above you may want to look at rezoning to a Commercial or Industrial District.  Please see Municipal Office for more details.

How To Apply for Major Home Based Business
As a major home based business is more extensive then that of a minor, the process changes. 

 You will be required to apply for a Site Specific Amendment.  The fee for this process is $400.00 and a public hearing will need to be held in front of Council.  Provided this application is approved a final fee of $250.00 will be required. 

 Further to the approval you would then be required to submit an application for a Development Permit as well as the applicable Permit fees of $200.00. Please refer to Development Permit Application and Procedures for the process.

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Bed and Breakfasts
All Bed & Breakfasts shall comply with the following:

      a bed and breakfast shall be operated by a live-in owner(s) as a secondary use only, with a maximum of four (4) commercial accommodation units in each development and shall not change the residential character and external appearance of the dwelling involved;

      the only meal to be provided to registered guests shall be breakfast.  No food preparation or cooking for guests shall be conducted within any bedroom made available for rent.  All facilities shall meet public health regulations and be kept in a manner satisfactory to the health regulatory authority;

      no accommodation unit shall include a kitchen;

      maximum stay of 14 days per person is permitted;

      a fascia sign which does not exceed 0.55 sq. m. (5.92 sq. ft.) in area may be erected to identify a bed and breakfast facility.

How To Apply
Submit an application for a Development Permit and the applicable Permit fees of $200.00. Please refer to Development Permit Application and Procedures for the process.

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Signs
One Sign is allowed on the parcel indicating the address and/or owner of a residence or the name of a home based business, provided the signs do not exceed 5.92 sq. ft.

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Development Permit Applications
Applications for a development permit shall be accompanied by the following information:

1.   Applicable development permit fees

2.   A site plan drawn to scale showing (North at the top of the page):

3.   Legal description of the Lot;

4.   Dimensions of the Lot;

5.   Other land that may be used in conjunction with proposed development;

6.   The location of existing and proposed buildings, wells, septic tanks, disposal      fields, dugouts, lagoons, culverts, and crossings that may be used in            conjunction with the development.

7.   Height, dimensions, and relationship to property lines of all existing and proposed buildings and structures including retaining walls, corrals, trees, landscaping, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and other physical features;

8.   Statements as to:

9.   The intensity of the development proposed (number of and type of trees, vegetables, or animals to be grown, or reared);

10.  Other land ownership involved in the development supported with signed consent;

11.  Number of people to be employed;

12.  Method of distribution of product;

13.  Utilities, Lot drainage, existing and proposed Lot grades, the grades of the streets and sewer servicing the property including the elevations of top of curb or sidewalk and Lot corners;

14.  Provisions for loading and parking;

15.  Access locations to and from the Lot including roads (this can be shown in the site plan) and highways to be used, traffic generated, and dust control measures to be implemented;

16.  Garbage and storage areas and the fencing and screening proposed for same, and methods for disposing of garbage;

17.  Descriptions of any noxious, toxic radioactive, flammable, or explosive materials proposed;

18. Quantity and quality of well water and soil percolation tests for the systems that may be used in conjunction with the proposed development;

19. Amount of water required for the proposed development on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and proposed water source;

20. Proposed method of waste removal;

21. Particulars of any proposed use or involvement by persons other than residents of the lot;

22. Intensity of use described in daily, weekly or monthly terms and broken down on the basis of the number of person, animals, events or occurrences, as the case may be, which best describes the intensity of the proposed use;

23.  A written undertaking by the landowner to disclose to all subsequent purchasers, tenants or other occupants of the land all particulars of any development permit that may be approved, including all conditions attached thereto;

24. Anticipated generation of motor vehicle traffic on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, whichever most accurately reflects the facts;

25. The number of events and/or clinics proposed to be held annually, if any, including a detailed description of any such proposed events and/or clinics;

26. The proposed maximum number of occupants of any building involved in the proposed development at any one time;

27. Engineering feasibility studies on the method of water supply;

28. Engineering feasibility studies on the method of disposal effluent;

29. Profiles and cross-sections showing the original ground level, the proposed depth of any excavation, finished grade elevation, depth of over-burden and water table elevations;

30. The method intended to be used for the excavation of the materials contained in the land, back filling, terracing, compacting, leveling, reclaiming the site and equipment to be used in connection therewith;

31. The method to be used for supporting any pit walls;

32. Methods of controlling noise, dust, or drainage from the Lot, both during and after completion of construction;

33. Number of vehicles that will be used in the hauling of materials and proposed hauling route to and from the site;

34. The days and hours of operation of the development;

35. For inspection purposes, please include directions to your parcel, including the color of your house.

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