Planning & Development
Zoning Bylaw and OCP
The Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw are under the provincial legislation of the Planning and Development Act, 2007 and complimenting Statements of Provincial Interest.
Zoning Bylaw
*2013_ZB*
This is a Bylaw to control the use and development of the land in the municipality and assist in implementing the Official Community Plan.
Official Zoning Bylaw Map all development within the limits of the Municipality shall be in conformity with the provisions of their bylaw, subject to the right of appeal provisions of the Planning and Development Act, 2007
Official Community Plan
*2013_OCP*
The Official Community Plan is intended to serve as a statement of the goals, objectives and policies.
The policies are intended to provide Council with direction in establishing other bylaws and programs to guide the future growth and establish guidelines for formulating decisions on future land use and development proposals.
Development and Building Permits
It is important that you connect with the RM Office to see if a Development permit application and/or Building permit is required for your project.
Please allow sufficient time for your application to be processed. It is the responsibility of the landowner/applicant to adhere to all Government departments, Provincial Authority or Municipal bylaws.
Development permits
*DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATION FORM*
A DEVELOPMENT PERMIT IS ALWAYS REQUIRED for all kinds of developments in the RM and Trossachs. This includes additions, new construction, and renovations. It acknowledges the use of land and buildings and its compliance with the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw.
THIS IS NOT A BUILDING PERMIT. An approved development permit is required in most instances in order to begin developing your property.
Permitted Use
- Permitted uses are intended to be appropriate for the Zoning District in which they are listed and do not have major impacts on adjacent land uses.
- The Development Officer will review and approve these applications in consultation with the RM Council.
Discretionary Use
- Discretionary uses may have one or more potential features or effects that initiate review. Discretionary use development permits are reviewed under a set of evaluation criteria included in the Zoning Bylaw.
- Council will consider the application as well as any written or verbal landowner responses received during the process. Council has the ability to approve with conditions or refuse a discretionary use application.
Failure to obtain a Development Permit may result in additional fees and charges.
NOTE: Applications involving rezoning and subdivision, are subject to additional fees. All associated development costs are the responsibility of the developer/property owner.
*BUILDING BYLAW*
Building permits
*BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FORM*
A Building Permit is separate from a Development Permit. Building Permits refer to building construction and compliance with the National Building Code of Canada.
As of January 1, 2024, The National Building Code of Canada 2020, The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings 2020 and The National Fire Code of Canada 2020 and The National Plumbing Code of Canada 2020 have been adopted in the province of Saskatchewan.
For energy compliance, new buildings and additions where permits are applied for on or after January 1, 2024, are required to demonstrate energy compliance to Section 9.36. of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2020 or the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2020, as applicable. These must continue to meet energy requirements on a go-forward basis. This means that future work to those buildings or additions must continue to demonstrate energy compliance.
The RM has appointed Building Officials to ensure compliance with the National Building Code of Canada, The Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act. Additional application forms and information is required by our Building Officials and is project specific what is required. Be sure to contact the RM to get the proper additional forms. Or you can get them here: Residential Building Permits
A Pre-Move Inspection may be required as all buildings moved into the RM must meet the NBC (National Building Code), contact your RM to discuss if a ‘Request for Inspection’ is required.
All Building Permits require a Development Permit approval before a Building Permit will be issued.
Make sure to submit your plan ahead of time as a development and building permits can take weeks to receive approval depending on the quality of the information provided.
Highways
Any work within 90 metres of a provincial highway right-of-way requires a permit. Setbacks will depend on the type of work being proposed along with where the work is located. Upon application, we will be able to provide site specific requirements.
Subdivisions
Subdivision is the process in which a parcel of land is divided into two or more parcels, in order to obtain a separate legal title for each parcel.
Ministry of Government Relations Community Planning Branch is the approving authority for subdividing land within the RM.
ALL applications for subdivision MUST be submitted to Community Planning in order to begin the process.
NOTE: In come cases, rezoning will be required to support the subdivision.
A copy of the Subdivision Application is referred to the RM by Community Planning for review, comment and endorsement. The application will contain a plan of proposed subdivision prepared by a Saskatchewan Land Surveyor.
The RM reviews the subdivision application in accordance with the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw.
Conditions of Subdivision Approval
If an applicant receives approval subject to conditions, the conditions must be fulfilled. Such as entering into a Servicing Agreement, dedicating municipal or environmental reserve, paying any fees, or upgrading roadways or other services.
Once all the conditions have been met, Community Planning can approve the subdivision, which will allow the plan to be registered to the Land Titles Office in order to create the new legal titles for the new parcels of land.
Municipal and Environmental Reserves
Municipal Reserves
Provincial Legislation required Municipal Reserve (MR) dedications must be provided at the time of Subdivision.
- Residential subdivisions are required 10% of the gross area
- All other types of subdivisions are required at 5% of the gross area
NOTE: In many cases, the RM will request a monetary cash-in-lieu payment instead of land dedication. The payment must be equal to the market value of the required land in the subdivision, in the non-service state.
Environmental Reserves
Provincial Legislation may require some lands be designated as Environmental Reserve (ER) at the time of subdivision. This may include things such ravines, coulees, swamps, water courses or lands that unstable. Additionally, lands to help prevent pollution, preserve lakes and shores or to help protect against flooding.
An ER parcel may be left in a natural state or may be developed as a public park. There is no minimum requirement for ER dedication, it is site specific.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Development Permit valid for?
Development Permit is valid for twelve (12) months unless otherwise stipulated.
If the use has been discontinued for a period of more than twelve (12) consecutive months, the permit is no longer valid.
How long is a Building Permit valid for?
Building Permits expire 6 months from the date issued if work has not commenced or if work is suspended for 6 months.
*Building Bylaw – Section 5(11)*
Can I get an extension for my Permit?
If you require an extension for your permit, you will be required to write a letter to council outlining aspects of the project that have been completed and what is remaining giving an estimated timeline and target completion date.
Do I require a Permit for a deck?
A Building Permit IS required for a deck if the height at any point is above 2 feet from ground level.
Do I require a permit for an accessory building under 10m square?
Building Permits are NOT typically required for accessory buildings (garden sheds, tool sheds, etc.) under 10m square (approx. 105 square feet).
Do I need a permit for cosmetic upgrades?
Typically no permit is required for cosmetic upgrades such as painting or flooring which do NOT affect the structural or life safety.
What is the Bylaw Amending Process?
First Reading
If the application complies with all policy requirements and Council feels it has merit, they will pass a motion to support the rezoning application including a condition of approval to receive Ministerial approval of the amending bylaw. They will give what is referred to as “First Reading” to the bylaw in order to begin the required public notification and public hearing process.
Advertising
After First Reading to the bylaw is given, an advertisement indicating the reason for amendment, the affected land and the date of the public hearing, is placed in a local newspaper for two (2) consecutive weeks prior to the next Council meeting.
Public Hearing
At the public hearing, during regularly scheduled R.M. Council meetings, the public has an opportunity to speak for or against the proposed bylaw and any written comments on the bylaw received by the date indicated in the advertising notice will be included.
Decision of Council
After the public hearing has closed, Council may give Second and Third Readings to the bylaw which would support the rezoning application, or they may defeat the proposed bylaw denying the application for rezoning.