Development Documents

Development

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Development Documents

The Municipal District of Taber (MDT) manages land use and development through a number of plans and bylaws designed to support safe, sustainable, and well-organized growth throughout the region.

Below is a brief introduction to each key document. Full versions of these documents can be found listed at the bottom of this page. If you have questions or would like additional details, please contact the MDT Administration Office. We’re here to help!

Regional Development Planning Process

South Saskatchewan Regional Plan	→	Intermunicipal Development Plans	→	Municipal Development Plan	→	Area Structure Plans	→	Land Use Bylaw	→	Subdivision Approval Process Development Permit Approval Process
Other municipal planning-related policies, standards, guidelines, and bylaws & Provincial/Federal regulations and legislation.

Questions?
Call 403-223-3541 Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

View the documents

South Saskatchewan Regional Plan

The South Saskatchewan Regional Plan provides long-term guidance for development in southern Alberta, including the MD of Taber. It aligns economic, environmental, and social goals across the region and supports:

Responsible energy development
Sustainable agriculture and ranching
Recreation and tourism opportunities
Forest and natural area management

Intermunicipal Development Plans

Intermunicipal Development Plans (IDPs)

The Intermunicipal Development Plan Library includes formal agreements between the MD of Taber and neighbouring municipalities. These plans help coordinate land use, infrastructure, and growth in border areas.

The MD of Taber currently has IDPs with:

Municipal Development Plan (Bylaw No. 1723)

The Municipal Development Plan (MDP) sets out Council’s long-term goals for how the MD of Taber will grow and evolve. It guides decision-making on issues such as:

Subdivision and land use approvals
Long-term land use and zoning
Infrastructure and transportation planning
Management of sour gas facilities
Use of municipal reserve lands
Regional cooperation and future study areas

The MDP outlines a clear vision for growth over the next 20 years and beyond.

Area Structure Plans

Area Structure Plans (ASP)

The Area Structure Plan Library includes all approved ASPs within the MD. These plans provide a framework for future development of specific areas and typically include:

Phasing of development
Proposed land uses and population densities
Major roads and transportation routes
Utility and servicing plans
Other planning elements deemed necessary by Council

Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw No. 2011)

Land Use Bylaw No. 2011

The Land Use Bylaw helps guide how land and buildings can be used or developed in the MD of Taber. It ensures development is orderly, efficient, and aligned with the community's long-term vision. This bylaw:

Divides the MD into land use districts
Outlines what types of development are allowed in each district
Sets rules for submitting applications and processing permits
Establishes decision-making processes for development approvals
Includes development standards, such as how many homes are allowed on a single parcel
Helps implement the Municipal Development Plan and other long-range planning documents

Related Policies & Standards

Planning Related Policies, Standards, Guidelines and Bylaws

In addition to statutory plans and the land use bylaw, the MD of Taber maintains a number of policies, standards, guidelines and bylaws relating to planning and development. These planning-related policies, standards, guidelines and bylaws are applicable at various stages of the planning process - they help inform land use planning and development decisions, define procedural matters, and may be imposed as conditions of subdivision and development and development agreements, or requirements of statutory plan preparation, for example.

Advertising Bylaw No. 1934, August 14, 2018

This bylaw establishes the acceptable methods of advertising under section 606 of the Municipal Government Act of a bylaw, resolution, meeting, public hearing or other things in accordance with the timelines prescribed in section 606. Refer also to the MD of Taber Land Use Bylaw for methods of advertising a development hearing associated with a development permit application.

Drainage Approval Policy, October 28, 2016

This policy ensures that any work conducted within the Municipal Road Right of Way for the purpose of drainage improvement is designed to be safe for vehicular traffic; is designed and constructed so as to not be a nuisance for the municipality or adjacent landowners; and conforms to municipal bylaws and provincial regulation.

Model Process for Subdivision Approval and Private Sewage – The Suitability and Viability of Subdivisions Relying on Private Sewage Systems, February 1, 2011

This standard prescribes the appropriate level of septic feasibility assessment that must be completed to demonstrate the suitability of development served by a private sewage system on land proposed to be subdivided.

A developer proposing a multi-lot subdivision of land that will not be served by municipal water and sewer services is required to comply with this standard when preparing an Area Structure Plan.

Municipal District of Taber Roadway Standards for Multi-Lot Subdivision, July 2010

These standards prescribe road design and construction for grouped country residential and grouped industrial developments.

A developer proposing grouped country residential or grouped industrial is required to comply with these standards when preparing an Area Structure Plan, which is subsequently implemented through the condition of a development agreement at the time of subdivision approval.

Municipal Reserve Policy, August 8, 1995; Revised March 27, 2012

This policy establishes the land value that will be used to calculate the amount of municipal reserve owing by an applicant of a subdivision where money in lieu of land dedication is required for municipal reserve purposes in accordance with the MD of Taber Municipal Development Plan and the Municipal Government Act.

Operating Guideline #60 Vauxhall Regional and MD Taber Regional Fire Departments Operational Guidelines Subject: Photovoltaic Panel and Solar Farm Project Fires, February 22, 2018

This policy provides the Vauxhall Regional Fire Department and MD of Taber Regional Fire Service department members with a guideline when responding to photo-voltaic solar panel and solar farm fires. A developer of a photo-voltaic solar farm should refer to this policy when preparing an emergency services plan as part of the development permit application.

Public Participation Policy, June 12, 2018

This policy has been developed to recognize the value of public participation and create opportunities for meaningful public participation in decisions that directly impact the public. The Public Participation Policy is in addition to and does not modify or replace the statutory public hearing requirements in the Municipal Government Act.

Renewable Energy Projects on Municipally Owned Land Policy, August 7, 2018

This policy establishes criteria for the appropriate siting of a renewable project on MD of Taber-owned lands while at the same time respecting leaseholders and ensuring the protection of ecologically sensitive features of the land. The policy is in addition to and does not modify or replace the requirements of the MD of Taber Land Use Bylaw or any other applicable provincial regulations and approvals requirements.

Unauthorized Use of Municipal Property Bylaw No. 1806, January 15, 2010

The purpose of this bylaw is to regulate the Unauthorized Use of Municipal Property, to promote the safe, enjoyable and reasonable use of such land for the benefit of all citizens of the municipality.

Listing of Other Planning Resources

The following documents are referenced variously in statutory plans and planning bylaws adopted by the MD of Taber under Part 17 Planning and Development of the Municipal Government Act.

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Agricultural Operation Practices Act
https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=A07.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779800254

Agricultural Operation Practices Act Administrative Procedures Regulation
https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=2017_106.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779797530

Agricultural Operation Practices Standards and Administration Regulation
https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=2001_267.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779797752

Agricultural Operations, Part 2 Matters Regulation
https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=2001_257.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779797578

Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-and-irrigation.aspx

Alberta Culture and Tourism Listing of Historic Resources Instructions for Use
https://www.alberta.ca/listing-historic-resources.aspx

Alberta Land Stewardship Act
https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=A26P8.cfm&leg_type=Acts&isbncln=9780779777259

Alberta Land Stewardship Regulation
https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=2011_179.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779792238

Alberta Land Stewardship Conservation Easement Registration Regulation
https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=2010_129.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=9780779785711

Alberta Private Sewage Systems Standard of Practice (fee to purchase)
https://www.alberta.ca/private-sewage-codes-and-standards.aspx

Alberta Wetland Policy
https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-wetland-policy-implementation.aspx

Alberta Building Codes and Standards
https://www.alberta.ca/building-codes-and-standards.aspx