Land Use Bylaw

A Land Use Bylaw (LUB) is a non-statutory plan under the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The LUB provides a foundation for the Town to achieve the orderly development of lands and for that purpose among other things.  

A Land Use Bylaw is made up of text and maps; the texts sets out regulations for each land use district (zone) & regulations and the maps show what land use district (zone) applies to each parcel of land.

In accordance with Section 640.1 of the Municipal Government Act, a Land Use Bylaw may prohibit or regulate and control the use and development of land and buildings in a municipality.

In accordance with Section 640.2 of the Municipal Government Act, a Land Use Bylaw MUST include the following:

• Must divide the municipality into districts of the number and area the Council considers appropriate;
• Must, unless the district is designated as a direct control, include one or more uses of land or buildings that are permitted or discretionary in the district;
• Must establish a method of making decisions on applications for development permits and issuing development permits for any development;
• Must provide for how and to whom notice of the issuance of a development permit is to be given;
• Must establish the number of dwelling units permitted on a parcel of land.

A Land Use Bylaw MAY include the following under Section 640.3 of the Municipal Government Act:

• Definition of additional land to be considered as adjacent land;
• Subdivision Design standards;
• The ground area, floor area, height, size, and location of buildings;
• The amount of land to be provided around or between buildings;
• The landscaping of land or buildings;
• The location, height and maintenance of fences and walls;
• The establishment of off-street or other parking facilities / loading and unloading facilities;
• The design, character and appearance of buildings;
• The location and amount of access to lots from roads and ensuring that there is at least one means of access from each lot to a road;
• The lighting of land, buildings or other things;
• The enlargement, alteration, repair, removal of relocation of buildings;
• The excavation or filling in of land; The development of buildings;
• The construction, placement, or removal of billboards, signboards, or other advertising devices;
• The density of population in any district or part of it;
• The designation of a district as a direct control district;
• The establishment of any related agreements, forms, fees or procedural matters;
• Issuing orders under Section 645 of the Municipal Government Act;
• Establishment of a Development Authority;
• An application for a development permit or change in land use designation.

The first Land Use Bylaw (LUB), #463, was adopted on October 27, 1967.  Each time a new Land Use Bylaw is adopted, the previous document (& amendments) in effect are rescinded. 

History of Land Use Bylaw:

• Land Use Bylaw #724 was adopted on May 28, 1979.
• Land Use Bylaw #930 was adopted on March 11, 1991.
• Land Use Bylaw #1029 was adopted on September 14, 1998.
• Land Use Bylaw #1155 was adopted on April 14, 2009.
• Land Use Bylaw #1242 was adopted on September 24, 2017.

Land Use Bylaw #2021-04 was adopted on April 6, 2021. (current LUB)

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the Land Use Bylaw, please contact  Planning & Legislative Services Department at 780-645-1762.