• How will the new LUB affect me as a resident or business owner?

• Depending on where your property is located, your development options and standards may change. Some of the potential changes include the following:

  • New land use districts and definitions
  • Revisions to existing land use districts and definitions
  • Changes to permitted or discretionary uses within a particular land use district
  • Clarity around the rules for secondary suites, home-based business, and signs
  • Updates to landscape, parking, and other design standards

  For more information on the impacts of the draft LUB in your area, please review the Summary of Changes for your community on this page.

• What is the process for updating the LUB?

• There are several stages involved when updating the LUB. Below is a brief overview of the process involved in developing this draft LUB.

  Public engagement stage (2016-2019)

  Significant public engagement was conducted across the region between 2016 and 2019, with residents, stakeholders, and community partners, to gather feedback on the existing Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and ways to make improvements.

  Development stage (2019-February 2020)

  The Planning and Development team worked to develop a Proposed Land Use Bylaw that incorporated the feedback gathered from the public engagement period. The proposed LUB was also created based on in-depth analysis of current development trends, as well as current and future community needs.

  Engagement period (February-March 2020)

  Residents and key stakeholders had the opportunity to review the summary of the proposed LUB and provide concluding feedback on the changes and updates. This engagement period helped the Municipality finalize the LUB, before presenting it to Council.

  Document revisions (May-July 2020)

  During this phase, any necessary revisions identified in the past engagement period were made.

  Re-engagement Period (December 2020)

  Further engagement was conducted with residents, stakeholders, and community partners, to gather feedback on the final draft of the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) and ways to make improvements.

  Presentation to Council (April 2021)

  The proposed Land Use Bylaw was presented to Council for first reading. It was followed by a public hearing at which Council passed the following motion:

  “That Council direct Administration to re-engage with the community and bring forward an updated Land Use Bylaw for first reading before the 2021-2025 Council Elect.”

  Re-engagement

  In Fall 2022 and 2023, additional engagement related to signage regulations took place with targeted stakeholders identified from the 2021 public hearing.

  Public re-engagement

  In 2024, the final stage of engagement on the draft LUB is taking place. It includes meeting with the remaining stakeholders identified at the 2021 public hearing, as well as validation engagement with the public and targeted groups. Participants are invited to provide feedback online and in-person. Feedback will be reviewed by Planning and Development Services and the LUB will be adjusted where possible or necessary.

  Presentation to Council (Anticipated in Fall 2024)

  The proposed Land Use Bylaw will be presented to Council for first reading. It will be followed by second reading and a public hearing process, after which Council will have an opportunity to vote to adopt the draft LUB at third reading. Subscribe to the Land Use Bylaw page and keep up to date with the latest information regarding the project, including dates for Council meetings and public hearings.

• How will my feedback impact the Land Use Bylaw?

• The Municipality's Planning & Development Services team will review the feedback you provide and adjust the LUB where possible or necessary.

• When will the LUB be finalized?

• Once the current phase of engagement is complete, the updated LUB draft will be presented to Council through a public hearing process. Subscribe to the Land Use Bylaw page to be updated with information regarding the project, including dates for Council meetings.

• Why is the LUB being updated?
• The current LUB was adopted by Council in 1999. While several amendments have been made over the years, an update to the LUB is necessary to streamline regulations, adapt and respond to new development trends, and align with current statutory plans. With this draft, the RMWB is making the LUB easier to understand and use.
• What are the new signage requirements under the proposed LUB?

• In March 2024, Council approved updated regulations for signage under the existing Land Use Bylaw 99/059. The updated signage regulations are now in effect and are included in the proposed Land Use Bylaw. Details on the types of signs and how to apply for a sign development permit, as well as information on signage compliance, can be found on the Municipality’s website.

• Why is the RMWB engaging on the LUB again?

• The LUB has been through numerous engagement phases since the updating process began in 2015. The project stalled due to many delays including the Horse River Fire, 2020 flood, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

  In 2020, engagement resumed with considerable changes and recommendations from residents, businesses, entrepreneurs, developers, and Indigenous partners.

  After engagement, refinements were made and the draft LUB was presented to Council through a public hearing on April 27, 2021, where a motion was carried forward stating:

  “That Council direct Administration to re-engage with the community and bring forward an updated Land Use Bylaw for first reading before the 2021-2025 Council Elect.”

  Administration has re-engaged with participants on specific parts of the bylaw related to signage regulations and the Gateway District in Quarry Ridge—and those aspects of the LUB have been approved by Council. This latest phase of engagement invites the public and targeted participants to provide their feedback before the draft LUB goes back to Council later this year. Feedback will be reviewed and the LUB will be adjusted where possible or necessary.

Saprae Creek FAQ

• Can I keep animals in Saprae Creek?

• Yes, residents in both Suburban Estate Residential 1 (SE1) and Suburban Estate Residential 2 (SE2) can continue keeping horses, donkeys, goats, llamas, alpacas, and other similar animals as pets and for personal enjoyment.

  This information is contained in Part 5, Section 4.9 in the draft Land Use Bylaw and applies to residents on lots on both the east (SE2) and west (SE1) sides of Spruce Valley Drive.

  The proposed/draft Land Use Bylaw does not change regulations about keeping animals as pets and for personal enjoyment in Saprae Creek.

• Why is the current Suburban Estate Residential District split into two Districts – Suburban Estate Residential 1 (SE1) and Suburban Estate Residential 2 (SE2) – in the proposed/draft Land Use Bylaw?

• The proposed Land Use Bylaw reorganizes the current Suburban Estate Residential District into two districts to improve clarity and understanding of existing regulations that apply to the lots east and west of Spruce Valley Drive.

  The residential district regulations for lots east and west of Spruce Valley Drive are consistent in the current and proposed Land Use Bylaws.

• What is Agriculture, Small Scale?

• Agriculture, Small Scale refers to the growing and harvesting of crops, plants, fruits, and vegetables, and the keeping of animals, on a parcel that is a minimum of 4.0 ha (9.88 acres) and maximum of 32.38 ha (80 acres).

  Agriculture, Small Scale includes the sale of goods produced on-site. Some examples of Agriculture, Small Scale include sod farms, bee keeping, tree farms, aquaculture facilities and livestock.

  This aligns with the Intensive Agriculture use in lots east of Spruce Valley Drive in the current 99/059 Land Use Bylaw. This is a discretionary use in SE2 (lots east of Spruce Valley Drive) and requires a development permit prior to development.

• Can I have a garden in Saprae Creek?

• Residents on lots zoned SE1 (west of Spruce Valley Drive) and SE2 (east of Spruce Valley Drive) can continue to have personal gardens on their properties.