Land Use Bylaw Rewrite

Click here to view Land Use Bylaw Draft 4 - April 3, 2025

Upcoming Public Engagement

Whether you want to provide feedback or simply want to learn more about how the LUB affects you as a resident and the overall community, we encourage you to attend one of our open house events!

Your voice matters. Let’s shape the future of our community—together.

DateTimeLocation
Sunday, May 4, 2025Session 1 - 1:00 pm
Session 2 - 3:30 pm		Nordegg Community Hall
Monday, May 5, 2025Session 1 - 3:00 pm
Session 2 - 6:00 pm		Caroline Community Hall
Wednesday, May 7, 2025Session 1 - 3:00 pm
Session 2 - 6:00 pm		Condor Community Hall
Thursday, May 8, 2025Session 1 - 3:00 pm
Session 2 - 6:00 pm		Frisco Community Hall
*Virtual ZOOM - Thursday, May 8, 2025, 12:00 noon - Registration link will be available soon!


Can't make it to any in-person or virtual open houses? 

  • Complete a feedback form located at the bottom of the page
  • Email LUB@clearwatercounty.ca
  • Call 403-845-4444
  • Mail a letter to: Clearwater County, LUB Rewrite Project, 4340 - 47 Avenue, Box 550, Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1A4

Draft Land Use Bylaw

Over the past year, the Land Use Bylaw Public Advisory Committee (PAC) and Council Steering Committee have been working through the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) rewrite project piece by piece.

The goal of this much needed update is to modernize the existing Land Use Bylaw, which was approved in 2001.

On March 31, 2025, Draft 3 of the LUB was released to the public. 

The LUB steering committees then met and at their request, amendments were made on April 3, 2025.

View the Draft Land Use Bylaw below:

The following chart references existing land use districts that have been consolidated or changed into new districts for the draft Land Use Bylaw:

Changes to the draft LUB are expected. The LUB committees will be reviewing the current draft and discussing next steps, including public engagement opportunities.

Following public engagement, the draft will be reviewed and edited as needed and then presented to Council for consideration. 

Amended Maps

These maps accompany the Draft Land Use Bylaw. 

Find existing maps for townships and hamlets (from the 2001 LUB) linked at the bottom of the page under Documents.

What is a Land Use Bylaw (LUB)?

A Land Use Bylaw (LUB) is a regulatory tool that outlines the rules for the development and use of land and buildings within Clearwater County for each land use district (i.e. zoning) and identifies the process and authority for land use redesignations, subdivision, and development permit applications. Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires all municipalities in Alberta to have a LUB. The MGA provides guidance on what is included in a LUB but it is up to the individual municipalities to create and administer their own documents.

Why is the County updating the LUB?

The existing Clearwater County Land Use Bylaw 714/01 (LUB) was approved in 2001 and requires renewal to be consistent with the updated Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and to enhance clarity, readability, and user-friendliness.

Much of the content in the 2001 version was carried over from the original 1987 Bylaw. Through the process of review and revision, both the County Administration and residents will have the opportunity to evaluate current standards, which might have become outdated, and integrate fresh standards that align with the evolving trends in land use observed over the past two decades. This re-envisioning of the Land Use Bylaw aims to enhance clarity, readability, and user-friendliness.

Find answers to other Frequently Asked Questions here.

Project Goals:

  • Align the land use regulations with the County’s MDP and with Council’s Strategic Plan. 
  • Better align land use designations with community standards and priorities. 
  • Reduce ambiguity by having clearer definitions. 
  • Provide a more streamlined user-friendly document. 
  • Make the bylaw easier to navigate online.


Public Engagement Plan

With an inclusive public engagement strategy, the Land Use Rewrite initiative aims to offer numerous avenues for the public to contribute their insights, ensuring they feel adequately involved in addressing the challenges currently associated with the document. Our proposed approach includes a series of launch events, featuring in-person public open houses in Nordegg, Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, and Leslieville, supplemented by an online virtual event for those unable to attend in person. 

Beyond these gatherings, both a Public Advisory Committee and a Council Steering Committee were established to serve as ongoing sources of guidance throughout the development of the project. These committees have been meeting during key project phases to provide input on the direction of the rewrite and address emerging topics and concerns.

To conclude the process, a series of final public open house events will be organized to review the draft LUB. These events will encompass in-person sessions in Nordegg, Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, and Leslieville, supplemented by an online virtual event for those who are unable to participate in person.

Council adopted a revised communication and engagement plan and schedule at their regular meeting on February 25, 2025.

Click here to view the full communication and engagement plan, as included in the February 25, 2025, meeting agenda package.

Next Steps

The Public Advisory Committee and a Council Steering Committee will be meeting to determine the timing of upcoming public engagement opportunities.

Following public engagement, the draft will be reviewed and edited as needed and then presented to Council for consideration.

Why should you get involved?

As a local resident or business owner, your valuable experience and understanding of your community is crucial. By contributing to the project and staying updated, you help capture the community’s values and insights. 

We will continue to accept landowner feedback via the project email address (LUB@clearwatercounty.ca) or the website feedback form (see below). Feedback from Clearwater County residents and businesses is an important element in creating our new LUB, please share your comments today. Once we have an early draft to share, we will be looking to you for more of your thoughts and ideas.

Project updates will be made available on the County’s official social media channels, website, local newspapers and newsletter.

Areas of Review

The following areas will be reviewed during the LUB project:

  • Definitions
  • Aggregate Resource Extraction
  • Removal of Telecommunication Towers regulations
  • Secondary Suites / Bonafide Need
  • Recreational Vehicle Use
  • Comprehensive review of the Permitted and
  • Discretionary uses in all districts
  • Compliance with existing County Policies including new 2023 Municipal Development Plan
  • Compliance with Provincial Legislation
  • Readability of entire document – added graphics were possible.
  • Mapping Updates
  • Ag Districts – General and Intensive
  • Animals, including Wild Boars and Game
  • Farming
  • Campgrounds 
  • Childcare 
  • Density 
  • Development Permit Exceptions 
  • Flood Hazard Area 
  • Home Based Businesses 
  • Land Use Districts – permitted / discretionary, lot coverage, building heights, housing types, setbacks 
  • Lot Grading Permit 
  • Floor Area – Max and Min 
  • Nordegg Specific – land uses, parking, lot sizes 
  • Sea Cans 
  • Short Term Rentals 
  • Signage 
  • Renewable Energy 
  • Temporary Development 
  • Transportation 
  • Variances

Documents

Last updated: March 31, 2025