PLANNING REGULATIONS & APPLICATION FORMS
PLANNING SERVICES
The planning department is responsible for managing land use and development within the municipality to ensure growth aligns with community goals and provincial legislation. Its duties include preparing and administering statutory and non-statutory plans, reviewing development and subdivision applications, guiding zoning and land use bylaws, and coordinating with stakeholders to promote sustainable, orderly development that supports economic, environmental, and social objectives.
Please refer to our PROVINCIAL, REGIONAL, AND INTERMUNICIPAL DOCUMENTS page here to better under the planning legislative framework and important guiding documents.
APPLICATION PROCESSES AND PACKAGES
STATUTORY PLAN: These are planning documents required by Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA) and adopted by bylaw. They have legal authority and guide land use decisions (e.g., Municipal Development Plan, Area Structure Plan, Land Use Bylaw).
NON-STATUTORY PLAN: These are policy-based documents not mandated by legislation and adopted by council resolution. They provide guidance and detail for implementing statutory plans but are not legally binding (e.g., design guidelines, outline plans).
ROAD CLOSURE: A road closure is the formal process of removing a road or portion of a road from public use and the municipal road network. It requires council approval by bylaw and registration at the Land Titles Office so the land can be repurposed or sold.
APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION FORMS
Timelines indicated are not a guarantee and depend on application volumes, application completeness, and the applicant’s timely replies to additional information requests from the City.
| APPLICATION TYPE | APPLICATION TIMELINE (APPROXIMATELY) |
| NEW Area Structure Plan or Area Redevelopment Plan | 8 to 12 Months |
| NEW Outline Plan and Land Use Redesignation | 6 to 8 Months |
| AMENDMENT Municipal Development Plan | 3 to 6 Months |
| AMENDMENT Area Structure Plan or Area Redevelopment Plan | 3 to 6 Months |
| AMENDMENT Outline Plan and/or Land Use Redesignation | 3 to 6 Months |
| AMENDMENT Land Use Bylaw | 1 to 3 Months |
| Road Closure | 1 to 3 Months |
APPLICATION FORMS
APPLICATION COSTS
Pay by credit/debit, cheque, or cash at City Hall. Credit card payments over $2500 are not accepted at this time.
ADDITIONAL GUIDING DOCUMENTS
| GUIDING DOCUMENT | YEAR |
| PROVINCIAL, REGIONAL, & INTERMUNICIPAL DOCUMENTS | VARIES |
| MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (MDP) | 2025 |
| FUTURE GROWTH PLANS | VARIES |
| LAND USE BYLAW | 2024 |
| STORMWATER MASTER PLAN | 2020 |
| TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN (TMP) | 2023 |
| UTILITY MASTER PLAN (UMP) | 2024 |
| OFFSITE LEVY BYLAW | 2025 |
| ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS | 2025 |
| LANDSCAPING STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS | 2020 |
| CHESTERMERE DESIGN GUIDLINES | 2013 |
SUBDIVISION: The legal process of dividing a single parcel of land into two or more parcels, each with its own title. It requires approval from the municipal Subdivision Authority before registration at the Alberta Land Titles Office.
ENDORSEMENT: The final confirmation by the Subdivision Authority that all conditions of a subdivision approval have been met. Once endorsed, the subdivision plan can be registered at the Land Titles Office to create new titles.
CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE: A document issued under the Condominium Property Act confirming the registration of a condominium plan. This plan subdivides a parcel into units and common property, and its registration creates separate titles for each unit and establishes a condominium corporation.
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT: A legal notice registered on a property’s land title to secure the obligations outlined in between the landowner and the municipality. This agreement typically includes conditions related to infrastructure, servicing, or other development requirements.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please refer to our detailed APPROVAL PROCESS flow chart here
APPLICATION TIMELINES
Timelines indicated are not a guarantee and depend on volumes, application completeness, and the applicant’s timely replies to additional information requests from the City.
| APPLICATION STAGE | APPLICATION TIMELINE (APPROXIMATELY) |
| PRE-SCREEN (COMPLETENESS REVIEW) | 20 DAYS |
| REVIEW & DECISION RENDERED | 60 DAYS |
| APPEAL PERIOD | 14 DAYS |
| ENDORSEMENT WINDOW | 1 YEAR |
PLANNING APPLICATION FORMS
ENGINEERING APPLICATION FORMS AND CHECKLISTS
APPLICATION COSTS
Pay by credit/debit, cheque, or cash at City Hall. Credit card payments over $2500 are not accepted at this time.
ADDITIONAL GUIDING DOCUMENTS
| GUIDING DOCUMENT | YEAR |
| PROVINCIAL, REGIONAL, & INTERMUNICIPAL DOCUMENTS | VARIES |
| MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (MDP) | 2025 |
| FUTURE GROWTH PLANS | VARIES |
| LAND USE BYLAW | 2024 |
| STORMWATER MASTER PLAN | 2020 |
| TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN (TMP) | 2023 |
| UTILITY MASTER PLAN (UMP) | 2024 |
| OFFSITE LEVY BYLAW | 2025 |
| ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS | 2025 |
| LANDSCAPING STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS | 2020 |
| CHESTERMERE DESIGN GUIDLINES | 2013 |
CONTACT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT
BY PHONE
403-207-7075
BY EMAIL
planninginfo@chestermere.ca
IN PERSON
Monday – Friday (excluding holidays) 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
2nd Floor City Hall
105 Marina Road, Chestermere, Alberta T1X 1V7