Development Permits

What is a "development"?

The Municipal Government Act and the Land Use Bylaw define development as any of the following:

An excavation or stockpile and the creation of either:

• the addition to and the replacement or repair of a building
• a change of land use of a building
• a change in the intensity of land use or use of building

Why do I need a development permit?

• A development permit is a requirement of the City of Medicine Hat Land Use Bylaw.
• Development permits allow the City to ensure that any development carried out complies with the Land Use Bylaw and does not infringe on the rights of adjacent landowners or other interested persons.
• Development permits are required for most types of developments in the City of Medicine Hat.

An application for a development permit can be made to the Development Officer on the appropriate prescribed form. The application must be accompanied by:

• The fee for a development permit as established by Council resolution (fee schedule is available from the Planning and Building Department 403.529.8374) 
• The plans and other documentation required (as listed in the checklist that pertains to the application)

The City of Medicine Hat provides information regarding development permits needed when undertaking any development projects.  We will also provide information on policies and regulations governing those and other development projects.

Development Permit Checklists

Administrative Staff have been asked to accept only complete applications.  An application that is deemed to be complete will be accepted by Administrative Staff and entered into the system.  If an application is not complete, the applicant will be required to gather the missing information and submit the application once complete.

If an application is accepted and later it is determined information is missing, or the quality of the submitted information does not meet the standards stated on the application checklist, you will be contacted, and your application will be placed on hold.  Once the required changes are submitted, the application will proceed forward.  The applicant should therefore ensure that the submitted information is accurate, as any errors or omissions will delay the application.

By implementing the checklist, Planning Services hopes to eliminate the submission of incomplete applications.  Please review the attached checklists to ensure your application meet these requirements.

Approval:

• The applicant will be sent a copy of the decision regarding the development permit via regular mail within seven days of the decision.
• If the application is refused, reasons for the refusal will be written in the decision letter.
• Within ten days of approving the development permit, the City shall advertise this decision in the Medicine Hat News.
• A 14-day waiting period is in effect from the day the development permit is advertised. This waiting period is in effect to allow for appeals from adjacent landowners and/or other interested parties. This is a provincial regulation.

You Do Not Require a Development Permit For:

• Some patios and decks (confirm with planning officer [403.529.8374] before beginning construction)
• Non-structural alterations, renovations, repairs, or maintenance
• The parking or storage of an uninhabited recreational vehicle in a rear yard or side yard
• Fences that adhere to the City of Medicine Hat Land Use Bylaw #3181
• Minor structures of less than 10 square metres (107 square feet) such as garden sheds, dog houses, etc. can be located anywhere within the rear yard (see brochure)

Development Permit Turnaround Times

Discretionary use permits relate to uses allowed at the discretion of the Development Officer or Municipal Planning Commission, as specified in the Land Use Bylaw for the subject site.  Permitted use permits relate to uses allowed by right as specified in the Land Use Bylaw for the subject site. 

Factors that will influence approval times include application accuracy and/or completeness, site plan requirements not being met, circulation to City Departments or external agencies for review, Municipal Planning Commission/City Council presentation, etc.

Notes:

• The anticipated times listed above are estimates only, based on average monthly times.
• The more complete and accurate the application or building plans are, the quicker they can be reviewed.
• Time periods identified are in calendar days.

Application Fees

Please review the fee schedule under Planning & Engineering; if you require further information contact the Department at 403.529.8374.

Many types of development may also require a Building, Electrical , Plumbing, Gas or Mechanical Permit.

Please contact Planning, Building and Development Services at 403.529.8374 for more information.

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!

Call for free utility locates at least two working days in advance of the planned work.

• Electric and Gas (City of Medicine Hat) 1.800.242.3447
• Sewer and Water (City of Medicine Hat) 1.403.529.8176
• Shaw 1.866.DIG.SHAW (1.866.344.7429)
• Telus 1.800.242.3447

UTILITY LOCATE SLIPS MUST BE PROVIDED WITH ALL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPLICATIONS

It is up to YOU to contact all other utilities. 

PLEASE NOTE:
THIS SERIES IS PROVIDED BY THE PLANNING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT AS A PUBLIC SERVICE. THIS WEBPAGE HAS NO LEGAL STATUS AND CANNOT BE USED AS AN OFFICIAL INTERPRETATION OF VARIOUS BYLAWS, CODES, AND REGULATIONS IN EFFECT. IT IS ALSO THE APPLICANT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE WORK BEING CARRIED OUT DOES NOT CONTRAVENE THE REQUIREMENTS OF EASEMENTS, RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS, CAVEATS, OR ANY OTHER REQUIREMENTS. USERS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE PLANNING and BUILDING DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE AS THE CITY OF MEDICINE HAT ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR PERSONS RELYING SOLELY ON THIS INFORMATION.