Planning and Development Department

Subdivision of Land FAQs

Subdivision means the division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels, resulting in separate land titles for each. Subdivision is also used to adjust existing lot lines. With the exception of a few special circumstances, the municipality must approve and endorse any subdivision before it may be registered at the Land Titles Office.

Subdivision of land in Saddle Hills County is regulated by the Land Use Bylaw and Area Structure Plans of the County, the Municipal Government Act, and the Subdivision and Development Regulations. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the subdivision of land.

Can I subdivide my land?
The Land Use Bylaw provides the maximum number of parcels that may be subdivided from a quarter section, the size restrictions of a parcel, and the uses allowed for that parcel. If the use is not allowed on a particular parcel because of zoning, it may be necessary to amend the Land Use Bylaw. Contact the Development Services Coordinator for information on subdividing or amending the Land Use Bylaw.

How do I apply?
Forms are available at the Saddle Hills County Administration Office, or can be downloaded from this web site. You may complete the form yourself or have an Alberta Land Surveyor or a professional planner represent you.

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A sketch of the property including the location, dimensions and boundaries of the existing parcel, and of the new parcel(s) being proposed must be included with the subdivision application form. You must show the location of all existing buildings, water supply, sewage system and indicate the distances between each and the distances to the property line. Features such as treed areas, sloughs, creeks, steep slopes, pipelines, and oil or gas wells must also be indicated. A current title search (i.e. printed within the last 30 days) must also be attached to your subdivision application. You may order a title search through most licensing agencies, or through the County for a nominal fee. Depending on the details of your application, other information may also be required.

Once a subdivision application is approved, you will be mailed the approval along with a copy of the approved tentative plan. You must then take the approval documents from the County to an Alberta Land Surveyor to have the appropriate document prepared (such as a Descriptive Plan or Plan of Legal Survey). Once this is prepared and all conditions of the subdivision have been met, you may submit the plan to the County for endorsement. Once the County has endorsed the plan it may be registered at Land Titles Office.

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What are the fees?
The fees payable to the County are as follows:

• Application Fee $100
• Fee Per Lot Created $100
  (this includes the balance of the quarter)
  (Example for first parcel out: $100 application fee + $100 for new parcel created + $100 for balance of quarter = $300)\
• Title Search $10.50
  (this fee applies if you choose to have the County order the title for you)
• Endorsement Fee Per Lot Created $55
  (For first parcel out the fee will be $110)

NOTE: The endorsement fee is charged after a subdivision has been approved and a plan has been prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor.

Other costs involved with subdividing include the fees of the Alberta Land Surveyor to prepare the Plan for registration and the cost of registering the Plan at the Land Titles Office. Depending on the details of the subdivision proposal, there may be other costs involved in obtaining any additional information that is required to be submitted with the application. (Example: for a multi-parcel subdivision application, soil and water tests may be required.)

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How long does it take?
The County has 60 days in which to make a decision on a completed subdivision application. If further information has been requested upon receipt of a subdivision application, the 60 days begins after all of the necessary information has been provided.

Can I appeal a subdivision decision?
The applicant may appeal the decision of the subdivision authority if the subdivision has been refused or if there is an objection to one or more of the conditions of the approval. Under certain circumstances, government departments may appeal a subdivision decision, but adjacent landowners / residents do not have the right of appeal. An appeal, along with the appeal fee of $50.00, must be submitted within 14 days of receipt of the decision and addressed to the Secretary of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board at Box 69, Spirit River, AB, T0H 3G0. Either the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board or the Municipal Government Board will hear the appeal.

Application Forms

Email the Planning and Development Department

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