NEW - Approved Land Use Bylaw 25/050September 9, 2025 Update

Clearwater County Council would like to thank all residents, businesses and industry members who participated in the recent public engagement and public hearing for the Land Use Bylaw 25/050. Council and Administration appreciate the time, passion, and commitment shown by community members who attended, viewed the livestream, or submitted feedback online, over the phone or in person with Administration and Council.

At their Regular Council Meeting on September 9, 2025, Council granted second and third reading to Bylaw 25/050 to adopt a new Land Use Bylaw and rescind LUB 714/01 for Clearwater County and LUB 450 for the Village of Caroline.

This rewrite — a process that has taken almost 24 months — was intended to modernize outdated language, add clarity and consistency, and provide more flexibility for landowners and developers in how they use their property. The development of the LUB process included two sets of open houses, public feedback opportunities (online, in person, via mail, vial email, via open house and public hearing), and widespread communications. 

Key changes include:

• Simplified application rules, processes and timelines
• Clearer definitions to reduce ambiguity
• More discretionary options for property owners
• Enhanced section of development not requiring a permit
• Additional details in each land use district of development not requiring a permit, and many more 'permitted' or approvable developments, such as the addition of secondary suites as 'permitted' in many districts. 

This work was driven entirely at the local level, in response to community needs and administrative challenges.

Still have questions? Please reach out to Council or Administration.

Past Public Engagement & Response

Download the full event poster here.

View the presentation slides here.

What We Heard Report (Phase 2) - June 9, 2025

NEW 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 was to modernize the old Land Use Bylaw, which was approved in 2001.

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

• Draft Combined Land Use Districts

Amended Maps

These maps accompany the Land Use Bylaw. 

• Legends - LUB Districts and Overall Map
• Townships
• Hamlets

Find old maps for townships and hamlets (from the 2001 LUB) linked at the bottom of the page under Documents for reference to previous district information.

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 did the County updating the LUB?

The previous Clearwater County Land Use Bylaw 714/01 (LUB) was approved in 2001 and required 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 had 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 aimed to enhance clarity, readability, and user-friendliness.

Find answers to other Frequently Asked Questions here.

Areas of Review

The following areas were reviewed during the LUB rewrite 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

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Land Use Bylaw Myths
• Existing Land Use Bylaw 714/01 (adopted in 2001)
• Existing Land Use Districts Hamlets Map (2001)
• Existing Land Use Districts Township Map (2001)
• Council Steering Committee Terms of Reference
• Public Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
• What We Heard Report (Phase 1) - May 21, 2024

Last updated: September 9, 2025