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1. What is PED (Porcine Epedemic Diarrhea)?

For information on PED, please visit the Government of Alberta's Agriculture and Forestry website.

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1. How do I contact my Councillor?

Visit the Council Contacts page to find Contact information for each Division Councillor. View our Election District Map to find out which division you live in. 

Council Contacts

2. How do I find Department contacts?

There is a Contact Us link at the bottom of each page.
The main office phone number is 1-403-443-5541 or Toll free at 1-866-443-5541.
Email: office@kneehillcounty.com

Contact

3. How do I get on Council's Agenda?

See the Council page for the Procedural Bylaw.
All meetings of Council are open to the public, however, you have to be on the agenda in order to speak to a subject.

Council Meetings

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1. What is the population of Kneehill County?

Federal Census 2016 result is 5,001 residents in Kneehill County.
The overall population including all municipalities within Kneehill County boundary is 11, 205 (Including Town of Three Hills, Town of Trochu, Villages of Linden, Carbon and Acme).

Visitors Page

2. Where do I find zoning information to set up a business?

Zoning information can be found in our Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Development Plan. Refer to the Planning pages for those documents.

Development Page

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1. How do I change my address?

Visit our Changing Your Address page for a fillable form. You can also email the main office at office@kneehillcounty.com or phone 403-443-5541 for more information.

Forms

2. Where do I find out more information about my assessment?

Visit the Assessment page for general information on assessments. You can contact Caroline Siverson at 403-443-5541 should you have questions about your assessment.

Taxation & Assessment Page

3. When are my taxes due?

Council passes the taxation bylaw annually in April/May. Combined Tax and Assessment Notices are mailed out in May and due on October 31.

Tax Notices

4. How can I make online payments?

You can pay your Kneehill County bills online through your Canadian Financial Institution's website. You must add Kneehill County as a payee, and choose either Taxes, Utilities, or General. These account numbers can be found on your invoices. Please visit our Making a Payment page for more information. 

Online Banking

5. What methods of payment do you accept?

Kneehill County accepts cash (during open business hours only), cheque, Interac debit, and online banking. We now accept credit card payments on everything except tax accounts. Visit our Making a Payment page for more information. 

Making a Payment

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1. Why does a fire truck show up when I call for EMS?

Because of our rural area, 911 dispatch will, in many cases depending on the situation, dispatch the area fire department to provide extra assistance. Our volunteer fire fighters are trained as First Responders.

Fire Department

2. Do I need a burn / fire permit?

Fire permits are mandatory all year round, including in the winter months. Fire Permits can now be accessed online. See the Burn Permits page for more information.

Burning Information

3. Is there a fee for a burn permit?

No!

Burn Permits

4. Who issues the burn permits?

Fire Guardians issue the permits. A Fire Guardian is any Fire Chief from within the County of the Emergency Management Coordinator.

Burn Permits

5. is there a penalty if I don't get a burn permit?

Yes.

1st Offense: $500

2nd Offense: $750

3rd Offense: $1000

Burn Permits

6. Do I need a permit for my burning barrel?

No, a permit is not required for:

a) an incinerator fire, either domestic or any commercial or industrial type incinerator that is required to be licensed under the Environment Protection and Enhancement Act

b) a fire that is set for the purpose of cooking or obtaining warmth

c) a smudge fire that is set for the purpose of protecting livestock from insects

d) fires set for the purpose of training firefighters

e) controlled burns conducted by the County

However, please be aware that burning barrels are not permitted in Hamlets.

7. Why do I need a burn permit? I have never needed one before.

In the interest of public safety and the preservation of valuable property and resources, the Council of Kneehill County adopted a Fire Protection and Emergency Services Bylaw on August 19th, 2003. Requirements for burn permits came into place at that time.

Burn Permits

8. How do I know if there is a fire ban in effect?

Kneehill County will publish any fire bans that come into effect on both the County website and Facebook page.

In addition, you may also visit the Alberta Fire Ban Website.

Burn Permits

9. What is prohibited to burn?

Under the Environment Protection and Enhancement Act, there is a list of debris that is prohibited to burn.

It is prohibited to burn any flammable waste that when burned may release dense smoke, offensive odors, or toxic substances, which includes:

• animal manure,
• pathological waste,
• non-wooden materials,
• waste material from building or construction sites, excluding wooden materials that do not contain preservatives,
• combustible materials in automobile bodies,
• tires,
• rubber or plastic, or anything with rubber or plastic attached to scrap steel,
• solid waste from sawmills with an annual production in excess of 6324 cubic meters of lumber,
• used oil,
• wood of wood products containing substances for the purpose of preserving wood

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1. When will my garbage be picked up? (Hamlet)

Waste collected in Wimborne, Huxley, Swalwell, and Torrington takes place Thursday mornings. Please visit our Hamlet Garbage page for more information. 

Hamlet Garbage

2. Where do I take my garbage (Acreage, Farm)?

Depending on where you live, there are transfer sites in many areas that Kneehill County residents have access to including Torrington, Three Hills, Trochu, Carbon, Linden, Acme. Visit our Transfer Sites page for more information. 

Transfer Sites

3. What recycling services are in Kneehill County?

Kneehill County is a partner in the Drumheller & District Solid Waste Association. Recycling is part of its mandate and we have various recycling options set up at the various transfer sites in Torrington, Three Hills, Trochu, Acme, Carbon, and Linden. Visit our Transfer Sites page for more information. 

Garbage and Recycling

4. What are the transfer site hours and location?

Kneehill County has many transfer sites (Torrington, Three Hills, Trochu, Linden, Carbon, and Acme). Not all sites take all products. The Transfer Sites page details what is accepted at each location, hours of operation as well as location.

Transfer Sites

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1. How do I obtain an Ownership Map?

Maps may be purchased from the Kneehill County office during regular business hours. Ownership map may also be viewed on the website under Maps. 

24 inch- $10.00, 32 inch- $15.00, 42 inch- $20.00, 60 inch $30.00, Map Book- $25.00 (+ GST)

Maps

2. What Council Division am I in?

A Council Division map can be found on the Map page. The map has the division breakdown according to Election Districts. 

Maps

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1. Who can vote for the new logo?

Residents and ratepayers with a valid rural Kneehill County address can vote for the new logo. (Must have a land location, blue sign number or street address in a Kneehill County hamlet.) 

Voting closes August 31, 2019. One vote per person.

2. How much will the new logo cost?

While there will be some costs associated with the new logo, most changes will be made during the natural replacement of items, such as the new highway entrance signs, which have to be replaced regardless of the logo change. In anticipation of the new logo, Kneehill County staff have been very deliberate with purchases and as a result, most items can be replaced with the new logo at no additional cost.

3. How will the new logo be introduced?

The transition from the current logo to the new logo will be a gradual one, taking place over the next few years, as most items will be changed out only when they come up for replacement. Rolling out the new logo in this fashion will minimize the costs associated with the re-branding.

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1. How do I reserve a campsite?

We take reservations for campsites at Keiver's Lake at 403-443-7308, and online through the Let's Camp reservation system For more information on camping, visit our Parks & Campgrounds page.

Camping

2. How many campgrounds are in Kneehill County?

Kneehill County has its own campgrounds at Keiver's Lake, Bracconier Dam, Swalwell Dam, and Torrington Campground. Other campgrounds in our area include Three Hills, Trochu, Acme, Carbon, Linden. Visit the Parks & Campgrounds page for more information regarding our region.

Visitors

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1. When do I need a Development Permit?

Development permits are generally required for any construction (including new construction, additions, and structural renovations), change of use of land or a building, or a change in the intensity of land or building use. Examples of developments requiring permit approval include expansion of an existing approved business, a mobile home, a structural alteration to an existing building, the relocation of an existing building, a fence over 3 feet in height (when located in a front yard, and 6 feet when located in side yards).

Visit our Development Permit page for more information. 

Planning Department

2. How long is my development permit good for?

An approved development permit is good for 1 year, unless otherwise specified on the development approval. If construction has not been commenced within that time, the permit is considered null and void and a new application for development will be required.

Planning Department

3. How much will a development permit cost?

Processing fees are set by the Master Rates Bylaw and vary by type of development. Visit our Development page for more information.

Master Rates Bylaw

4. Can I move in a mobile home?

Mobile homes 20-35 years of age are considered discretionary use in the Land Use Bylaw and will be taken to the Municipal Planning Commission for approval.

Mobile homes over 35 years of age are prohibited.

Mobile homes must be compatible with other buildings in the vicinity and must be CSA approved. They must be placed on a permanent foundation and completely screened from view by skirting within 60 days of placement of the unit.

A Development Permit and Building Permit are required for a mobile home as well as electrical, plumbing, gas, and private sewage permits.

Visit our Development page for more information. 

Mobile Home

5. I am building a deck, do I need a permit?

Yes, if the deck is 2 feet or more off the ground. Ensure you install 36” handrails and 42” handrails if the deck is 6 feet or more off the ground. The verticals must have a maximum spacing of 4”.

A Development Permit and Building Permit are required. Visit our Development page for more information. 

Development

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1. Is my road banned or closed?

View our Road Closures page for up to date closures in our area. Weight restrictions and bans can be found on our Road Bans page, as well as Roadata information. 

Road Closures, Bans

2. How do I sign up for Dust Control?

Applications for Dust Control are taken annually from January to April. 

There is a deadline for dust control to ensure we can prepare and complete the dust control project in time. Visit the Dust Control page for more information.

Dust Control

3. When will my gravel road be graded/snow plowed?

The graders are on a rotation. Kneehill County has over 1900 kilometers of gravel roads and 10 grader divisions. We attempt to have all grading completed in each division within 1.5-2 months. We attempt to have all snowplowing of gravel roads completed as soon as possible, depending on weather.

Snow Plowing

4. Who do I call to report a dead animal on the road?

Dead animals on County roads will be dealt with by the Transportation department (call County office at 403-443-5541). Provincial and Secondary highways are the responsibility of Emcon Canada Inc. (1-800-390-2242).

Roads

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1. How do I receive services to my house?

If you have just moved into Kneehill County, you can access sign up forms via the Water Services/Utilities page of this website.
Depending on where you live, will depend on what services are available. Utilities

2. How do I read my water meter?

Kneehill County's water reading system is automatic and we receive meter readings without entering your home to attain an actual reading. To read your water meter, visit the Water/Utilities page for more information. Water Servicing

3. Who do I contact for other utilities (gas, electricity, internet)?

There are many private companies in our area. Visit the Residents page for more information.

Other Utilities in Area