Construction & Permitting

The Planning and Development Department has a series of brochures detailing information on a number of development issues and topics. To find out what you need to know so that your project runs smoothly, select the type of project from the following list.

• Building a Deck or Patio
• Building a Fence
• Residential Driveway Development
• Garages, Carports and Sheds
• Site Coverage
• Encroachment Agreements
• Home Occupations

Other information brochures:

• A-Board Signs
• Applying for Permits
• Buying A House In Whitecourt
• Fee Schedule
• Residential Land Use Districts

The Town's Land Use Bylaw regulates how land and buildings are used, the location of the buildings, site coverage, building heights, and other provisions to ensure proper development. The Land Use Bylaw impacts everyone in Whitecourt at some point and to varying degrees - whether you are building a fence or deck, or starting a new business.

• Land Use Bylaw Map - Districts and Overlays
• Land Use Districts - Brochure
• Land Use Bylaw 1506
• Bylaw  Amendment Application Form

The Municipal Development Plan is a guide for growth and development in Whitecourt.  It includes maps and policies that are used to establish strategies to reach a future community vision.

• Municipal Development Plan
• Bylaw Amendment Application

Uses governed by our Land Use Bylaw require a permit – everything from construction, to demolition, to signage.  If you are unsure whether your project needs a permit, our Planning and Development Department would be happy to help.  Our information brochure can also give you additional information.

• Building Permit Application Form

• Development Permit Application Form

• Variance Request Form

One requirement of development permits is to install low consumption fixtures.  For more information on this requirement contact the Planning & Development Department.

• View PDF

The knowledgeable staff at the Planning and Development Department can provide property owners with a review of their property file to determine if the development on site meets with the Land Use Bylaw and all required permits are in place. Requests for file reviews must be in writing and submitted by mail, email, or dropped off to our office. The request needs to state what information you may be looking for. File review fees for residential properties is $35.00 per municipal address and for Non-Residential and Multi-Family properties the fee is $85.00 per hour with a one hour minimum per municipal address. Payment of the fees associated with a file review is to be paid to the Town of Whitecourt and must be received and acknowledged before the review will commence. If someone other than the property owner is requesting the review, property owner authorization must accompany the request.

In some instances, an Environmental Assessment may be required. In that event, the firm you retain to do the Environmental Assessment can also obtain information from the Town of Whitecourt by completing and submitting an Environmental File Search Request Form and the required fee. Property owner authorization for an environmental review is also required. For more information on requesting an Environmental File Search, please click here for instructions and to obtain a copy of the Environmental File Search Request Form.

If you have any questions please contact the Planning and Development Department via email at planning@whitecourt.ca or call 780-778-2273 for more information.

Safety Codes Officers (SCO) review building plans and complete construction inspections as required under the Alberta Building Code. You must have a plans review completed by an accredited SCO before a building permit can be issued. Applicants are free to hire from any of the agencies on the linked list. If you have any questions, please contact the Planning and Development department at 780-778-2273 or planning@whitecourt.ca.

• View PDF

Area Structure Plans (ASP) provides land uses, access and servicing, and policy direction for specific neighbourhoods or areas of the municipality. The principles and objectives established in each plan guide growth of future neighbourhoods by setting out general locations for major land uses (i.e. residential, commercial, industrial, schools and parks), major roadways, utility servicing, trail systems, and potential population density. Whitecourt follows a public consultation process throughout the development process of all ASPs, and requires that a Public Hearing be held prior to any document proceeding before Council for adoption. The following ASPs provide for future development in our community:

• Athabasca Flats East Area Structure Plan
• Athabasca Flats East Land Use Map
• Downtown South Area Structure Plan
• Southlands Area Structure Plan

Town of Whitecourt Area Structure Plans are available at the Town Office for public viewing during our regular business hours. If you have any questions, please contact the Planning and Development Department at (780) 778-2273 or at planning@whitecourt.ca.

• Bylaw Amendment Application Form

Subdivisionmeans the division of a parcel of land into one or more smaller lots by a plan of subdivision or other instrument. If you are planning on subdividing, or have questions regarding subdivisions, please contact our Planning and Development Department at 780-778-2273 or planning@whitecourt.ca.

• Subdivision Application Form

Whitecourt's Land Use Bylaw regulates signs within the community to ensure that signs:

• Do not impede the view of pedestrian or vehicle traffic;
• Do not become a safety hazard (i.e. tripping) or are left in a state of disrepair;
• Are of good quality and aesthetically finished.

Sign regulations are outlined in the Land Use Bylaw. All signs, except for A-Board signs, require permits.

A-Board Signs

An A-Board sign is a self-supporting sign consisting of two panels not more than 1.0 metre high or 0.6 metres wide, and is joined at the top. (Also knownas sandwich boards.) Permits for A-Board signs are not required as long as the size and placement meets the Land Use Bylaw. For more information read Whitecourt's information brochure on A-Board signs.

A home occupation is an occupation, trade, craft or profession carried on by an occupant of a residential neighbourhood as a secondary use of the residence. It is a discretionary use, and the application must be approved by the Municipal Planning Commission.

• Home Occupation Application Form

Each business that is considered a home occupation must have an approved Development Permit. You may also have to get approval from other provincial agencies, such as Alberta Health, Alberta Labour, and Alberta Consumer and Corporate Affairs.

A home occupation can not change the character of a home or show any outside evidence of a secondary use other than a small name plate (not exceeding 0.3m² in area). All residents of a home may be employed in home occupation, but employees who are non-residents may not work in the home. For more information on home occupations, please refer to our information brochure or contact the Planning & Development Department at 780-778-2273.

Business Licences are not required in Whitecourt.

However, if you are opening a new business or opening in a new location, you may need to apply for a development permit. For further information and assistance please contact the Planning & Development Department at 780-778-2273.

Door to Door Solicitation

A person or business that does not have a permanent place of business or solicits door to door to carry on any business, trade or occupation is subject to the fees and licence requirements under the Hawkers and Pedlars Bylaw.

Off-Site Levies are a cost recovery tool that helps municipalities pay for infrastructure projects that allow the community to grow, including roads, water and sewage treatment, to name a few.

Bylaw 1532 came into effect January 1, 2018.  With the new Bylaw, Off-Site Levies are based on lot size rather than the size of the building.  This bylaw will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis. More information on how rates are calculated can be found in the Off-Site Levy Rates Review Report.

• Off-Site Levy Rates Review Report
• Bylaw 1532
• Policy 61-004 - Off-Site Levies
• Information Brochure
  ​

2018 Off-Site Levy Review

Per Bylaw 1532, a review of Off-Site Levies was conducted.  The report was adopted by Council at the June 25, 2018 Council Meeting, and can be viewed by clicking the link below.

• 2018 Off-Site Levy Annual Review Report

Based on the findings outlined in the report, following rates will take effect January 1, 2019:

Residential:

• Single Family Dwelling  Units (including manufactured homes, duplex, triplex, and fourplex developments, excluding row housing): $4,208/dwelling unit

• Multi Family Dwelling Units (any development with 5 or more units, including row-housing): $1,832/dwelling unit

Non-Residential:

• Non-Residential: $49,036/hectare

If you have any questions regarding Off-Site Levies, please contact the Planning and Development department at 780-778-2273 or planning@whitecourt.ca.

The objective of design and standards for Whitecourt is to ensure all infrastructure work is constructed to a consistent practice. The commencement date of the standards was January 11, 1999, and any construction after this date must comply with this set of standards. The design sections are meant to be minimum standards and not rigid requirements; the Town is receptive to changes where proven technical and economical solutions achieve a better solution. The standards are applicable to any Town contract or private development.

• Design and Construction Standards

The Policy Manual serves as an operational guide to Council, staff, and the public, and provides guidelines for the Town to serve the community efficiently and effectively. The policies relating to Planning and Development can be found under “Municipal Planning and Development” Section 61.

• Town of Whitecourt Policy Manual

The Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) outlines policies with regard to land use, economic development, environment, infrastructure and municipal facilities in the fringe area between the Town of Whitecourt and Woodlands County, providing a framework for making decisions within the respective municipalities.  The IDP’s goal is to facilitate and sustain long term strategic growth and to identify joint development opportunities.

• Intermunicipal Development Plan