Planning & Development
Are you planning to make an improvement on your property?
Depending on the project, you may need both a Development Permit and a Building Permit. Inspections will be required at various stages of your project.
You may also require Safety Codes permits for Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, or others depending on the particulars of your project.
A pre-application meeting is helpful in your planning process. We can answer any questions regarding your development goals or any other development related questions to help you get started.
Find some great tips and information to help you understand what permits your project will require here:
The core goals of our Planning & Development department are to foster growth in the Town of Pincher Creek, manage community change, and ensure building safety in order to create a better quality of life for both current and future citizens of our Town.
Development Authority
Depending on the scope of your project, your Development Permit application will be decided on by either the Planning and Development Officer, the Municipal Subdivision and Development Authority (MDSA), or Town Council. The MDSA meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 10:00am and reviews Development Permit applications for variances that are outside of the Planning and Development Officer's authorization according to the Town's Land Use Bylaw. Town Council reviews and decides on Development Permits for properties that are zoned Direct Control.
Development Permits
Development Permit applications should be submitted in advance of Safety Codes permit applicaitons. Development Permits are issued by the Town of Pincher Creek and authorize the construction, development, or use of a property. New development, signs, demolition, and change of use (eg. change from retail store to office space) usually require a permit, though there are some exceptions.
The Town's Planning and Development Officer can assist you with interpreting the Land Use Bylaw, completing the appropriate Development Permit Applications, and walking you through the requirements to make sure your new home, addition, or change of use goes as smoothly as possible. The Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC) assists the Town with subdivision and development, including the Land Use Bylaw. The most up-to-date Land Use Bylaw can be found on ORRSC's website here:
Town of Pincher Creek Land Use Bylaw. If you require Safety Codes permits for your project, please be sure to reach out to Park Enterprises who will be able to walk you through that process.
A development permit (DP) covers the ‘what’ and ‘where’ a development may proceed. It approves what type of development is allowed on a particular property, taking into account land use and other regulations of the Town's Land Use Bylaw. DP's are issued by the Town's Planning and Development Officer.
Once a Development Permit Application is received by the Town, the Administrative team then has 20 days to determine if the application is complete or incomplete – is all of the information there that is needed to review the proposed development (plans, details, setback requirements, drawings, etc.)?
Once the application is deemed to be complete and the development permit application fee has been received by the Town office, that is when the full review process begins. Administration has 40 business days to determine the decision on the application.
Development Permit Application Process
When the Town receives a Development Permit Application, administration reviews the proposed development to confirm the use meets the requirements set out in the Town’s Land Use Bylaw.
Administration has 20 days to deem an application complete or incomplete. When the application is deemed complete administration has 40 days to determine a decision on the application. The clock starts ticking on these times once the Town receives the Development Permit Application fee. The average time for a decision on an application that is a permitted use is four to six weeks and for an application that is a discretionary use or permitted use with a waiver required about six to eight weeks. When the decision on an application is given, there is a 21 day appeal period. An appeal may be made regarding a condition on the permit or the decision on the application.
All Development Permit Applications are circulated out for comments to the required Town departments; Transportation and Economic Corridors when a proposed development is within 300 m from a highway or 800 m from the centerline of a highway; and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas when adjacent to Provincial Lands. You may also be required to obtain approvals from other provincial or federal regulating bodies or agencies in order to complete your project (for example, if a proposed development is for the sale of cannabis, approvals will also be required from the Ablerta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission).
What is the difference between a development permit and a building permit?
A development permit is not the same as a building permit. A development permit allows a specific type of development on a specific parcel of land to proceed. Development permits address issues of community planning, bylaws, land use, image, and compatibility. It is required to ensure compliance with the Land Use Bylaw and that development does not infringe on the rights of adjacent landowners and other interested parties. A development permit may stipulate some of the following conditions: the use of the property, intensity of that use, building height, building site coverage, setbacks from property lines, development standards, parking requirements etc.
The building permit process is based on the Safety Codes Act, the Alberta Building Code, and Fire Code. Application reviews, approvals, and site inspections, are provided in accordance with the relevant codes to ensure safety for all the citizens of the Town of Pincher Creek.
In most cases, both development and building permits are required. When undertaking a new project, it is always best to consult with the Development Office to find out what kinds of permits you will need.
Safety Codes Permits
Safety Codes permits include those for Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, Building, and Septic. Depending on your project, there may also be other permits required. The
Safety Codes Council is the governing body responsible for delivering Safety Codes programs on behalf of the Government of Alberta, playing a key role in ensuring that our province is designed and built with everyone's safety in mind. They operate under the authority of the
Safety Codes Act.
Park Enterprises Ltd manages the Safety Codes for the Town of Pincher Creek. Details, including fees, applications, and processes can be found at
https://www.parkinspections.com/permits/detail/?municipality_id=91.=
Public GIS
You can find some details regarding a property using the Town of Pincher Creek's Public Geographic Information System (GIS) at https://pinchercreek.giscloud.com/
