Planning Tools

Land Use Bylaw 1808

The Land Use Bylaw regulates and defines development within Kneehill County.

Kneehill County’s Land Use Bylaw has been reviewed and revised in order to reflect Council’s current Strategic Plan and vision for the County. Some changes to the Bylaw include new land use districts, new definitions, changes to subdivisions, and new regulations that allow for RV storage facilities in the County, and hens in Kneehill County hamlets.

Land Use Bylaw 1808 

Municipal Development Plan (MDP)

Kneehlll County’s Municipal Development Plan sets out the policies for development proposals in the municipality. The MDP provides a policy framework which ties into the values identified in the County’s Strategic Plan. It is a tool which helps the County Council, Administration and the members of the community try to achieve a long-range vision for an appropriate balance between environmental integrity, economic prosperity, and social responsibility.

Kneehill County is seeking landowners to take part in our MDP review. Apply by April 6, 2023.

Municipal Development Plan Bylaw 1829
Municipal Development Plan Maps

Strategic Plan

Kneehill County has many other planning documents to guide Council and Administration through the decision-making process. The Strategic Plan is the over-arching vision of where we are ultimately wanting for the municipality to become in the future.

Area Structure Plans

Currently, Kneehill County has five Area Structure Plan Bylaws:
Kneehill Creek (Bylaw 1263),
Three Hills Creek (Bylaw 1289),
Saddle-Up Estates (Bylaw 1586),
Badlands Motorsports Resort (Bylaw 1597)
Crocus Coulee Estates (Bylaw 1611)

The Development Authorities for the County are the Kneehill County Development Officers and the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC); the MPC is also the Subdivision Authority for the County.

Where an Intermunicipal Development Plan Bylaw is in effect between Kneehill County and another municipality, an Intermunicipal Planning Commission is the development authority for certain fringe areas of the municipalities.

Environmentally Significant Areas

Environmental Significant Areas - This document was created in 2010.

The Alberta Municipality of Kneehill County retained Summit Environmental Consultants Ltd. (Summit) to provide an updated report and mapping of Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) within the County. Environmentally significant areas are defined as areas that are vital to the long-term maintenance of biological diversity, physical landscape features and/or other natural processes at multiple spatial scales (Jennings and Reganold 1991 as cited in Fiera Biological Consulting 2009).

Planning and Development Fact Sheets

  1. Accessory Buildings detached garages
  2. Additional Housing Units
  3. Agriculture Business District
  4. Airport
  5. Alberta Fire Code 2014 Pre-inspection checklist
  6. Appeal Process
  7. Basement Development
  8. Boundary Markers - Survey Pins
  9. Campgrounds
  10. Cluster Farm Housing
  11. Commercial Developments
  12. Dwellings & Additions
  13. Hen Permits
  14. Home Occupation
  15. Land Use Redesignation Process
  16. Livestock
  17. Move-on Dwellings and Manufactured Homes
  18. Property Line Setbacks
  19. Public Hearing Process
  20. Real Property Report
  21. Renewable Energy - Adjacent Landowners
  22. Renewable Energy- Leasing
  23. Road Closure Process
  24. RV Storage
  25. Signs
  26. Subdivision

New! Food Truck- Mobile Vendor

Kneehill County is inviting food trucks and other mobile vendors to apply for vending permits at our popular park sites.

Food Truck- Mobile Vendor Fact Sheet
Food Truck- Mobile Vendor Application
Food Truck- Mobile Vendor Policy.

Horseshoe Canyon is a very popular visitor attraction in the Canadian Badlands, which sees over 400,000 visitors each year. There are currently no permanent Food & Beverage options at Horseshoe Canyon, making it a great opportunity for food trucks during the summer months.

Kneehill County is home to a number of other sites that are very popular in the summer and during off-peak seasons, including Orkney Viewpoint, Swalwell Dam, and Keiver's Lake campground.

Planning Bylaws, Policies, and Regulations

There is a hierarchy of instruments (planning laws, regulations and policies) relating to the use and development of land, which emanates from both the provincial and municipal levels of government. It is important to remember that, when making decisions relating to the subdivision and development of land, municipalities are bound by an extensive array of guidelines and stipulations outlined in those instruments. 

Bylaws & Policies Related to Planning

Bylaws & Policies
Context
Status
Intermunicipal Development Plan Three Hills- 1610 Guides growth and development in an area where the County shares a border with another municipality. This plan is approved by the Council in both municipalities and is referred to when dealing with applications within these subject lands. Complete
Intermunicipal Development Plan Carbon- 1743 Guides growth and development in an area where the County shares a border with another municipality. This plan is approved by the Council in both municipalities and is referred to when dealing with applications within these subject lands. Complete
Intermunicipal Development Plan Linden-1801 Guides growth and development in an area where the County shares a border with another municipality. This plan is approved by the Council in both municipalities and is referred to when dealing with applications within these subject lands. Complete
Intermunicipal Development Plan Acme- 1807 Guides growth and development in an area where the County shares a border with another municipality. This plan is approved by the Council in both municipalities and is referred to when dealing with applications within these subject lands. Complete
Intermunicipal Development Plan Trochu- 1797
 Guides growth and development in an area where the County shares a border with another municipality. This plan is approved by the Council in both municipalities and is referred to when dealing with applications within these subject lands. Complete
Intermunicipal Development Plan Wheatland County Guides growth and development in an area where the County shares a border with another municipality. This plan is approved by the Council in both municipalities and is referred to when dealing with applications within these subject lands. Complete
Intermunicipal Development Plan Rocky View County Guides growth and development in an area where the County shares a border with another municipality. This plan is approved by the Council in both municipalities and is referred to when dealing with applications within these subject lands. Draft
Intermunicipal Development Plan Red Deer County- 1802 Guides growth and development in an area where the County shares a border with another municipality. This plan is approved by the Council in both municipalities and is referred to when dealing with applications within these subject lands. Complete
Intermunicipal Development Plan Drumheller Guides growth and development in an area where the County shares a border with another municipality. This plan is approved by the Council in both municipalities and is referred to when dealing with applications within these subject lands. Complete
Municipal Development Plan- 1829 Provide high-level guidance and clarity for future growth within the municipality. General in nature and long range in outlook.  Complete
Kneehill Creek Area Structure Plan- 1263 Provide a framework for the type and sequence of development and subdivision within a subject area of land. Must be done by Council through a bylaw which requires a public hearing. Complete
Three Hills Creek Area Structure Plan- 1289 Provide a framework for the type and sequence of development and subdivision within a subject area of land. Must be done by Council through a bylaw which requires a public hearing. Complete
Saddle Up Estates Area Structure Plan- 1586 Provide a framework for the type and sequence of development and subdivision within a subject area of land. Must be done by Council through a bylaw which requires a public hearing. Complete
Badlands Motorsports Area Structure Plan- 1597 Provide a framework for the type and sequence of development and subdivision within a subject area of land. Must be done by Council through a bylaw which requires a public hearing. Complete
Crocus Coulee Estates Area Structure Plan- 1611 Provide a framework for the type and sequence of development and subdivision within a subject area of land. Must be done by Council through a bylaw which requires a public hearing. Complete
Land Use Bylaw- 1808 Regulates the orderly, economical, and beneficial development of use of land and buildings within the County.  Complete
Policy 5-1 Planning and Development Fees Setting out the parameters to waive fees Adopted
Policy 5-8 Subdivisions- General Conditions List of potential conditions that may be attached to a subdivision. Adopted
Policy 5-16 General Municipal Servicing Guidelines Provides specific guidelines to assist the County and the Developer in the design, preparation and submission of Plans that will meet the servicing requirements.  Adopted
Policy 5-17 Food Truck & mobile Vendor Policy  Guides the application and operation of food trucks and other mobile vendors to operate on County-owned properties.  Adopted

Regulations Related to Planning

Regulation
  
Municipal Government Act  
Subdivision & Development Appeal Board Regulation AR 195/2017
Subdivision & Development Regulation AR 43/2002
The Alberta Land Stewardship Act (ALSA) RSA 2000, c. A-26/8
Alberta Building Code  
Planning Law and Practice in Alberta  
Limitations Act RSA 2000, L-12