Development Permits

• We can help you apply online. Contact us by email or phone 403-529-8374.
• Or visit us in person (Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm):
  Planning & Development Services
  2nd floor, City Hall
  580 1st Street SE, Medicine Hat
• Whether you apply online or in person, additional documents such as a site plan will be needed. Other requirements will vary by type of project, such as floor plans, elevation plans, ESA, etc. If you have questions about the specific documents needed for your application, we can provide guidance.

Online:

• Visa or Mastercard

In-person:

• Debit
• Cash
• Cheque
• Visa or Mastercard

Mail:

• Cheque

Fees and Charges

It is the City’s responsibility to determine and implement rules and regulations that help to create desired and valued spaces within our community.

Planning and Development Services is responsible for ensuring that new development aligns with the rules and regulations set out in both the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and the Alberta Building Code. Development Permit reviews ensure alignment with the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and confirms that all rules and planning policies have been considered.

The City of Medicine Hat Land Use Bylaw divides all land in the city into districts. Each district has its own set of Permitted and Discretionary Uses and development rules.

Not all projects require a Development Permit

These are listed in the Land Use Bylaw. Any projects that are not included in the list of exemptions require a Development Permit because they are outside the standard rules of a district or there is some type of change being proposed to the property.

When you apply, a Planning Officer will advise you if a Development Permit is not required.

Questions?

Steps of Development Permit process

1. BEFORE YOU APPLY

a) Pre-application meeting – if you are proposing a larger scale project, it is encouraged that you contact Planning and Development Services to set up a pre-application meeting to review your proposal. A preliminary site plan and proposal details are to be provided to Planning and Development Services prior to the meeting. 

2. DEVELOPMENT PERMIT SUBMISSION

a) Application requirements – the applicant submits all required documentation for a Development Permit review. View Application Requirements for specific projects.

b) Submit application online with ePermit.

c) Application completeness verification - the Planner will review the application submittals and has 20 days, as per section 683.1 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), to deem the application complete or incomplete. If the application is deemed incomplete the applicant will receive notification that the application is incomplete and a list of required items with a specified date that the documentation must be received by. Once the required items are received, the application will be deemed complete, and the Development Authority has 40 days to make a decision on the application. If the required documentation is not received by the specified date, the application is deemed refused. 

3. PLANNING APPLICATION REVIEW

a) Land Use Bylaw Review – a member of the Planning team will review your proposed development against the Land Use Bylaw regulations.

b) Technical Review – the Planner on the file determines if the proposed development needs to go through the Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC) for review (typically large-scale or infill projects only). This is the City’s primary mechanism for coordination and decision making for development review, approval, and technical project coordination. If the planner deems this review necessary, the circulation will be initiated for two weeks, and the applicant will receive comments in roughly 3 weeks from the time of initiation. For more info, visit Technical Review.

c) Notice Posting – Public notification will be required only for major DP’s that are Discretionary and/or are requesting a variance to the Land Use Bylaw. Major development permits include multiple unit housing development with five or more units, mixed use developments (with five or more total units) and non-residential developments. Other proposed developments are at the discretion of the Director of Planning and Development Services and a sign may be posted on site if the public interest is likely to be substantial.  A temporary portable sign will be placed on the property during the application review stage, and a corresponding online notification, to inform the public about your application, and next steps.

d) Comprehensive Review – while your application is undergoing the bylaw review, notice posting, and circulation, your file manager begins a thorough review of your proposed development. The planner will review the following:

• • • Context and character of the neighbourhood.
    • Review of relevant plans and policies and apply them as required.
    • Review any applicable provincial planning legislations that may impact the application.
    • If relevant, review and respond to comments from the public.
    • *Applicant may be asked to make changes to the proposal based on circulation feedback and the planner’s review. 

4. APPLICATION DECISION

a) The planner prepares the Development Permit review with rationale and reasons for the final decision. You will be notified in writing whether the decision is approval or refusal. An approval may contain conditions. Careful review of these conditions should be undertaken with clarification sought if needed.

b) If you disagree with the decision, an appeal can be filed with the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) within 21 days. If the application relates to a provincial interest, the appeal must be made through the Municipal Government Board (MGB).

c) Advertisement – Once a Development Permit is approved, information regarding the Development Permit decision will be publicly posted on the City website (Development Notices, updated weekly) which are emailed to participating subscribers. It will also be advertised in the Medicine Hat News (Saturday editions, City notices ad.)

d) Appeal Period – The public has 21 days from the development permit advertisement date to appeal the decision with the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) or the Land and Property Rights Tribunal.

Check land use district and its rules

You can check the City's iMap to determine the land use district of your project.

Search the address of the proposed project. In layers list choose “Land Use Districts” to determine the land use district for the specified parcel. Once you have determined the Land Use District, you can check the relevant section of the Land Use Bylaw to see which rules and regulations apply:

•  View iMap

•  View Land Use Bylaw

Yes, Development Permits expire after a specific date 

After a Development Permit is approved by The City, the applicant has twelve months from the date the development permit was issued to commence development.  If significant construction has not begun by this date, a new application, including full application fees, will be required to move forward with the project. There may be conditions included in certain development permits which extend that period.

Apply to extend your Development Permit:

Apply now

Development Permit:

A development permit (DP) covers what and where a development may proceed. It approves what type of development is allowed on a particular property, taking into account land use and setback issues of the City's Land Use Bylaw. DPs are issued by the City's Planning staff.

Building Permit:

A building permit (BP) covers how structures are built. It allows the construction and demolition of structures contingent on meeting the requirements of the National Building Code - Alberta Edition. BPs are issued by the City's Safety Codes Officers.

Pre and Post-construction requirements

Before commencing construction of a subdivision or development project, it is the developer's responsibility to confirm that they have met the appropriate requirements and conditions. The document below outlines all requirements:

•  Development & Subdivision Agreement Condition Guide

Water and sanitary servicing processes

•  Pre-application process

•  Post construction process