Planning and Development

Development permits are documents authorizing the development of properties or structures within the Town of Thorsby. Development permits are necessary to ensure that construction projects, land use changes, or renovations comply with Thorsby's bylaws, zoning regulations, and environmental standards. They ensure orderly development, confirming that projects fit within community planning, such as set-backs, height limits, and intended land use.

Looking for a sign permit? That is also included in the development permit process, and follows the same guidelines.

In order to obtain a development permit, you must:

1. Determine whether your intended work falls within the parameters of Thorsby's Land Use Bylaw. Page 25 details the types of development not requiring a permit. The Land Use Bylaw also contains information about the setbacks of properties, definitions, accessory buildings, etc.
2. Once you have determined whether your work requires a development permit, you must fill out the Development Permit Application. Please ensure you follow the guidelines closely and submit all required documents prior to submission.
3. Once your paperwork is complete, you can remit payment to the Town of Thorsby. Payment can be made over the phone to 780-789-3935, by cheque, or in-person at the Town Office (4917 Hankin Street, Thorsby AB, T0C 2P0).
4. After payment and documentation is complete, you can submit your file to planning@thorsby.ca.

Unsure what the land use zoning of your property is? Check out our Land Use Map.

Fees

• Residential Development Permit
  • Permitted Use - $70.00
  • Discretionary Use - $150.00
• Commercial & Industrial Development Permit
  • Permitted Use - $140.00
  • Discretionary Use - $200.00
• Residential Accessory Building Permit
  • $50.00
• Multi-Unit Residential Dwelling Development Permit
  • Permitted Use - $70.00 + $25.00/unit
  • Discretionary Use - $120.00 + $25.00/unit
• Demolitions
  • $100
• Developments and Building Without a Permit
  • $2,000.00 for accessory buildings, or 5,000% for principal building
• Performance/Security Deposit
  • All Constructions - $3,000.00 minimum or 1% of construction up to $1,000,000.00 + $1.50/$1000.00 of construction value over $1,000,000.00

Please note all fees are exempt from GST.

A land use amendment (or rezoning) is a formal, legal process to change the regulations or zoning designation of a parcel of land, as outlined in the Land Use Bylaw. These amendments are necessary to update land use regulations, or to allow for development types that do not match current zoning, such as changing agricultural land to residential. A case where this may be used are if a property is zoned Low-Density Residential (R1) for single family homes, but the property owner wants to build a fourplex, which would require High-Density Residential (R3) zoning.

In order to submit a land use amendment application, you must:

1. Gather the required and necessary paperwork, including filling out the land use amendment application and following all guidelines.
2. Once your paperwork is complete, you can remit payment to the Town of Thorsby. Payment can be made over the phone to 780-789-3935, by cheque, or in-person at the Town Office (4917 Hankin Street, Thorsby AB, T0C 2P0).
3. Once documentation and payment is complete, you can submit your paperwork to planning@thorsby.ca.

It is important to note that all land use amendments are publicly advertised and circulated to adjacent landowners and affected agencies. Those agencies and any other resident who wish to speak in favor or opposing the amendment are permitted to do so.

Fees

• Land Use Bylaw Amendments
  • $500 (Minor Text Only for Registered Non-Profit Societies and Churches)
  • $750.00 (Minor Text Only)
  • $1000.00 (Major, Including Mapping for Registered Non-Profit Societies and Churches)
  • $1,500.00 (Major, Including Mapping)
• Confirmation of Land Use Designation/Zoning
  • $50.00
    
    

Please note all fees are exempt from GST.

A subdivision is the legal process of dividing a single parcel of land into two or more smaller, separate parcels, each receiving its own land title and its own property tax roll. This process can be used to ease the burden of land on a homeowner by allowing them to sell more of their land while retaining their original property. It is also a lengthy and important process. In the case of a subdivision, the authority is Council themselves, not Administration. All subdivisions will come to Council for decision and are at the sole discretion of Council.

It is important to note that all subdivision applications are circulated to adjacent landowners and affected agencies. Those agencies and any other resident who wish to speak in favor or opposing the subdivision in front of Council are permitted to do so.

In order to submit a subdivision application, you must:

1. Liaise with a surveyor to complete a tentative plan of subdivision.
2. Fill out the required subdivision application, following all guidelines closely. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the process, you can reach out to larmitage@thorsby.ca.
3. Once your paperwork is complete, you can remit payment to the Town of Thorsby. Payment can be made over the phone to 780-789-3935, by cheque, or in-person at the Town Office (4917 Hankin Street, Thorsby AB, T0C 2P0).
4. After payment and documentation is complete, you can submit your file to planning@thorsby.ca.

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Fees

• Subdivision Application
  • 3 Lots or Less - $900.00 + $100.00 per new lot created
  • 4 Lots or More - $1000.00 + $200.00 per new lot created
• Time Extension on Subdivision Approval
  • First Extension - $250.00
  • Additional Extensions - $300.00
• Endorsement
  • 3 Lots or Less - $100.00 per new lot + remainder
  • 4 Lots or More - $200.00 per new lot + remainder

Please note all fees are exempt from GST.