Municipal Planning & development
Land use planning in Alberta must follow plans at both the Provincial and Municipal levels of government.
With the implementation of the Provincial Land Use Framework and the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, some planning decisions will be made at the regional level as well. Land use may also be subject to other federal and provincial regulations.
The list below, with links, outlines the Village of Mannville’s hierarchy of Land Use planning
The Municipal Government Act (MGA) is the legislative framework in which all municipalities across the Province of Alberta operate. It provides the governance model for municipalities and lays the foundation of how we can function, including areas of planning and development.
The MGA identifies the hierarchy and relationship of statutory plans, so that each plan will be consistent with the plans above it and, in the event of an inconsistency, which provisions in what plan will prevail.
The Land-Use Framework (LUF) sets out an approach to managing the province’s land and natural resources to achieve Alberta’s long-term economic, environmental and social goals. The LUF established seven new land-use regions and calls for the development of a regional plan for each.
The regional plan sets out a new approach for managing the lands and natural resources to achieve the provinces long-term environmental, economic and social goals.
The North Saskatchewan Region is located in central Alberta and has approximately 85,780 square kilometers, or just under 13 per cent if Alberta’s total land base. The region is bordered by Saskatchewan to the east, British Columbia to the west, the Upper Athabasca and the Lower Athabasca regions to the north and the south Saskatchewan and Red Deer regions to the south (and includes the Village of Mannville). The region has a large and diverse landscape, which contains the Rocky Mountains, rolling foothills and prairie parkland.
The ICF is a tool to facilitate cooperation between neighbouring municipalities to ensure municipal services are provided to residents efficiently and cost effectively. The goal is to enable municipalities to collaborate regarding service delivery and cost-sharing.
All municipalities sharing a common boundary, effective March 31, 2020 (for urban municipalities, and effective March 31, 2021 for rural municipalities) were required to adopt an IDP between the municipalities. An IDP is a statutory plan that establishes any conflict relating to planning activities within or around another municipality; and ensures orderly development by reducing unnecessary costs and negative impacts on either municipality.
The MDP is a statutory plan that establishes policies for land use and other matters for the entire municipality. It is a high level document that provides leadership and direction in the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas and provisions for the infrastructure necessary to encourage sustainable and economic development.
Local Area Structure Plan(s)
All parcels of land are divided into different districts; each district consists of development regulations and permitted or discretionary uses to be considered.
Land Use Bylaw
The LUB is a planning tool that helps implement the goals in the land use plans and regulates development within the Village.
Development Authority Bylaw
Council must, by bylaw, provide for a Development Authority to exercise development powers and duties on behalf of the Village of Mannville.
Subdivision Authority Bylaw
Council must, by bylaw, provide for a Subdivision Authority to exercise subdivision powers and duties on behalf of the Village of Mannville.
Regional Subdivision & Development Appeal Board Bylaw
Municipalities may, by bylaw, establish and intermunicipal subdivision and development appeal board to hear subdivision and development appeals within the municipal boundaries of the Village of Mannville and other participating municipalities.
Non-Residential Tax Incentive Policy
Permit/Applications Forms
A development permit addresses such issues as restrictions pursuant to the Land Use Bylaw with regards to Zoning, Setbacks, Parking, etc.
A building permit addresses legislation under the Alberta Building Code with regards to construction, materials, etc., and provides inspection services to ensure the project complies with Provincial Legislation.
The Village of Mannville can advise or direct a Developer to a Safety Codes Officer on whether or not a project requires a Building Permit, which is facilitated by a registered Safety Codes Inspection Company in Alberta.
Step 1: Development Permit
Step 2: Issuance of Development Permit
A Development Permit is required prior to a building Building Permit application. This applies to:
- Any structure that exceeds 10.0 m2 (107.6 square feet);
- Demolition or removal of any structure;
- Moving in of any structure (i.e., mobile or Ready-to-Move (RTM) homes);
- A deck with a height of 0.6m (2.0 ft) or greater above grade;
- Change of use of land or building;
- Building alterations or additional building on a lot;
- Any increase in the number of households occupying and living in any building or on any site, and any construction or alterations or additions that would provide for an increase in the number of households which could occupy and live in any building or on any site, including any increase in the number of dwelling units in a building or on a site;
- The removal of top soil from land; and
- An excavation or stockpile and the creation of either of them.
The issuance of a Development Permit in accordance with the “Notice of Decision” provided by the Development Officer, is subject to the condition that it does not become effective until twenty-one (21) days after the date of issuance of the Notice of Decision.
This is to allow for any person affected by the decision to be able to make an appeal, to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
An appeal shall be made by serving a written notice of appeal and submitting the applicable fee to the Secretary of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board within twenty-one (21) days after:
- the date the order, decision or permit issued by the Development Authority was publicized in accordance with the Land Use Bylaw (LUB); or
- the forty (40) day period referred to in Section 3.3 (g) of the LUB has expired.
The permit would not become effective until the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board has determined the appeal; a permit may be modified or nullified.
If the Development authorized by a Permit is not commenced within twelve (12) months from the date of issuance, and completed within three (3) years of the date of issuance, the Permit is deemed void, unless an extension to this period is granted by the Development Authority.
Step 3: Building Permit
Step 4: Locate Underground Services
The Village of Mannville utilizes registered Safety Codes companies for the Provincial permitting services.
Once a Development Permit has been approved the Owner/Contractor shall submit a copy of the Permit in conjunction with application(s) for the Building Permit and associated disciplines’ permit(s) to an approved Safety Codes Council office.
Please check out approved SCO Agencies serving the Village of Mannville HERE.
Contact Utility Safety Partners (formerly known as “Alberta One Call” and submit a Locate Request online or phone 1-800-242-3447.
Step 5: Check for Power Lines and your safety
Contact ATCO 1-800-668-2248 or visit their website by clicking HERE.
Building a New House…
With the Government of Alberta’s introduction of builder licensing on December 1, 2017, residential builders are required to have either a valid builder license or an Owner Builder Authorization in order to receive a Building Permit.
Owner builders constructing their own home can apply for an Owner Builder Authorization (OBA). If an OBA application receives approval, an authorization certificate will be issued to the owner builder. The authorization certificate will be issued to the owner builder. The authorization allows owner builders to construct their own home, either with or without warranty.
Permit issuers are only able to provide the necessary permits if an authorization has been approved.
If your have any further questions, please contact program staff at:
- Via email: homewarranty.inquiries@gov.ab.ca
- Phone: 1-866-421-6929
The Builder Registry is an online source of information to sear Alberta’s licensed residential builders.
Buying a New House…
Warranty coverage has been a requirement for every new home constructed in Alberta since February 1, 2014. The Property Registry allows prospective homeowners, builders, real estate professionals and financial institutions to search for:
- Warranty status of a property;
- Information about which warranty provider is backing the property;
- The commencement date of warranty coverage.
Was the home built by a licensed builder? The Builder Registry allows homeowners, builders, real estate professionals and financial institutions to search for:
- Builder’s License status;
- Where the Builder has built homes;
- The number of previous home warranty registrations; and
- If the Builder has any orders or administrative penalties issued under the new Home Buyer Protection Act and related Regulations.