Service levels established for permit processing times

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Medicine Hat – The City of Medicine Hat’s Planning and Development Services department has established Levels of Service (LOS) for permit application processing times, with a commitment to publishing quarterly reports. This effort will provide predictable service levels to further strengthen confidence among the development community and all permit holders in Medicine Hat.

This initiative addresses Priorities 1 and 3 of Council’s 2024 revised strategic plan. These priorities focus on creating organizational capacity for effective and efficient service delivery, as well as fostering a dynamic and thriving community economy.

“Permits and licenses play an important part in guiding development and helping ensure we’re achieving the safe, inclusive, and vibrant city envisioned in the Municipal Development Plan,” said Conrad Westerson, Manager of Engineering and Safety Codes Services. “Establishing predictable, transparent service levels is part of ensuring there is clear language between Planning and Development Services and the development community.”

The City’s Planning and Development Services department utilizes staff review time as the Level of Service measure. Service levels pertain to Development Permits, Building Permits, Trades Permits, and Business License Applications.

Levels of Service

After reviewing service levels from other Alberta cities, the City has established a benchmark to meet the following Levels of Service for processing times 80 per cent of the time:

  • Development Permits
    • 10 business days – Detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex housing
    • 10 business days – Residential accessory buildings
    • 15 business days – Change of use
    • 60 business days – Commercial or industrial development
    • 60 business days – Row or multiple-unit housing
  • Building Permits
    • 15 business days (more complex projects may increase time)
  • Trades Permits
    • 2-3 business days – Trades permit inspections
    • 15 business days – Trades permits
  • Business Licenses
    • 15 business days (additional approvals may increase time)

These levels all meet or far exceed the timeframes outlined by the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The MGA requires a total of 60 calendar days of staff time to determine if an application is complete, and to complete a development review.

Quarterly reports

These quarterly reports identify and measure desired levels to proactively improve community outcomes, further aligning to City Council’s strategic plan.

The first quarterly report has three available statistics that all exceed the established Levels of Service:
  • Development permits with LOS of 10-15 business days – met 91 per cent of the time
  • Building permit applications – met 100 per cent of the time
  • Trade permit applications – met 100 per cent of the time

Read the first quarterly report and get more information on these Levels of Service on the City’s business and development reports webpage. Staff will provide reporting on business licenses in the next quarterly report. They will continue working to publish additional statistics in future quarterly reports as well.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
media@medicinehat.ca