When is a Building Permit Required?
A building permit is required for all new construction, major building repairs, manufactured homes, temporary buildings, wood stove installation and accessory buildings over 100 sq.ft. They may also be required for decks over 2' above grade due to certain structural requirements as per the current Alberta Safety Code, general maintenance and minor repairs. There are other situations in which a building permit may be required and therefore you should consult Building Services prior to initiating any type of construction.

When is a Development Permit Required?
A Development Permit is required for most new construction or changes of use.  However some types of development are exempt and may only require a Building Permit. A development is either creation of an excavation or stockpile, construction of a new building, or an addition, repair or replacement of an existing building, change of use of land or a building or a change in the intensity of the use of land or a building.

The following are examples of these exemptions (a full list is contained in the Land Use Bylaw), fences, walls, gates or parking pads, new construction of, or additions to, single family dwellings and accessory buildings (except where it is discretionary use located in a floodway or infill area), internal alterations to a residential building (except where it results in a change in the number of dwelling units) and some changes of use (i.e. shoe store to book store).

I am trying to choose a contractor. What should I know before signing a contract?
Please read the   Consumer Tipsheet which is intended to provide general information and is not a subsitute for legal advice.

I want to develop my basement. What should I know before I start?
Please refer to the   Building Permit Brochure  as well as the   Basement Development Checklist which outlines what information we require before you apply for a Building Permit.

I want to build a deck.  What do I need? Please refer to the  Residential Decks Brochure

I want to build a garage.  What do I need? Please refer to the  Detached Garage Brochure

I want to build a fence.  What do I need? Please refer to the  Fences Brochure

How do I get a Compliance Certificate?  What is an RPR

How do I get permission for a sign for my business? Please refer to the  Signage Brochure

How do I subdivide a property? Please refer to the  Subdivision Brochure

Other FAQ's

 Change of Occupancy / Change of Use

 Development in Flood Area

 Infill Development

 Sheds

  Home Based Businesses

More Information

Development Permits

Development Permits are required for a wide variety of situations ranging from large construction projects down to signage, home occupations and small renovations.  They are typically a pre-requisite to building permits.

Redesignation (Rezoning)

Redesignating or rezoning of land is the process through which districts within the Land Use Bylaw may be amended.  Rezoning is required if one wishes to develop a site in a manner that is not allowed by the current zoning.

Land Use Redesignation (Re-zoning) Application

Subdivisions

Subdivision generally refers to the act of dividing a single parcel of land into two or more parcels, each to be given a seperate title.  The subdivision process is also used to adjust existing lot lines.  Current Planning reviews and circulates all subdivision applications and prepares reports for presentation to the High River Municipal Planning Commission.

Major Subdivision Application

Development Co-ordination

Co-ordinating, negotiating and facilitating land development and servicing agreements with developers and land-owners . 

Current Planning provides assistance as required to the Town's Municipal Planning Commission, Town Council and the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) in the processing of development approvals and subdivisions.

Other aspects of current planning include negotiating encroachment agreements, which allow residents to use Town-owned land and processing addressing, street naming and road closure applications.

For further information relating to long range planning please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it