A development permit is needed for most new construction, or any time there is a change in the way land is used or the intensity of use.  Obtaining a development permit provides assurance that your development is following Land Use Bylaw C-824-12.

• If the deck is greater than 0.6m in height, a development permit is required.
• If the deck has a height of 0.6m or less and meets minimum required setbacks to property lines, a development permit is not required.
• Whether or not a permit is required, all other regulations shall be met. Please see Section 53 of Land Use Bylaw C-824-12.

• If the pergola/gazebo is 10m² or greater in size, a development permit is required.
• If the pergola/gazebo is less than 10m² in size, not attached to the dwelling and meets all other regulations, a development permit is not required.
• Whether or not a permit is required, all other regulations shall be met. Please see Section 53 of Land Use Bylaw C-824-12.

• If the overall width of the driveway including the proposed extension exceeds 6.1m, a development permit is required.
• If the overall width of the driveway including the proposed extension does not exceed 6.1m in width and has a side yard setback of at least 0.3m (1ft) from property lines, a development permit is not required, however, the extension shall be hard surfaced, and requires approval from the City’s Engineering Department for the road right-of-way portion. The road right-of-way portion shall be concrete only.

If the retaining wall is to hold back earth, it is not considered landscaping and a permit is required.

• A permit is not required to construct a fence as long as the fence does not exceed a height of 2m in the rear and side yards, and 1m in the front and street side yards.
• A fence cannot be built on City property or adversely affect adjacent lands.
• A fence must not be located closer than 1.5 metres from any fire hydrant. 
• You should also contact Utility Safety Partners before you dig to locate underground utilities and services.

• If the building is 10m² or greater in size, a development permit is required.
• If the building is less than 10m² in size and meets all other regulations, a development permit is not required.
• Whether or not a permit is required, all other regulations shall be met. Please see Section 53 of Land Use Bylaw C-824-12.

Your new building must fit into the site coverage maximum for your property.  Please call 780-962-7582 to speak with a Development Officer to determine the size of building you can build.

We offer a combined development permit if you are taking down an old building and replacing it with a new garage or shed.  If you are not replacing the building, please call 780-962-7582 to speak with a Development Officer to determine whether or not a demolition permit is required.

Accessory buildings of any size shall be placed in locations that meet the Land Use Bylaw setbacks and site coverage regulations.

In most residential neighbourhoods, you can place your building as close as 1.0m from your rear and side property lines however, your building shall not be located over an easement or utility right-of-way. Please call 780-962-7582 to speak with a Development Officer to confirm that this minimum setback applies to your district.

One tree and shrub are required to be planted for row housing (street oriented).  The Land Use Bylaw is not specific to the location within the lot.  Contact your builder to confirm any additional landscaping requirements that may be required.

You are required to either hire a Land Surveyor or check with the City if there is a Real Property Report on file.  You can also locate and use the survey pins, if they exist or have not been tampered with.

Not unless there is an issued building permit and/or you have received approval from the building inspector in the form of an email to proceed.

It depends on the manufacturer’s specifications and whether or not the turf is impermeable or not.  If it is permeable and the area is completely within the private property, you may.  However, if it is not permeable, the maximum allowable area of your site that can be covered by buildings at grade, hard surfacing, and impermeable artificial turf shall not exceed 70%.

No, the maximum allowable area covered by impermeable material is 70%.

It is recommended to check your land title if there is a restrictive covenant registered by the Developer.  This document may have restrictions.  If there is no restrictive covenant, you may build as you please as long as City height regulations are met; 1m in the front and/or street side yard, 2m in the side and/or rear yard.  The fence shall not be located within a utility right of way, easement, and/or City property.

Yes.

The City of Spruce Grove does not currently regulate vacation rentals (Air BNB/VRBO, etc.) as a separate use under the land use bylaw.  For the short term rental of a dwelling or a bedroom in a dwelling, the use of land remains a dwelling.

Nuisances that may occur as a vacation rental are the same as those that may occur as a dwelling – parking, noise, disruptive behaviour.  These nuisances are enforced through Enforcement Services.

Yes, regardless if the suite is intended for family versus a rental, if the suite meets the definition of a secondary suite (see Part 2, Section 7 of the Land Use Bylaw), it is considered a secondary suite and requires a permit.

The Land Use Bylaw divides the City of Spruce Grove into Land Use Districts for the purposes of prescribing and regulating the purpose for which land and buildings may be used.

The development permit ensures the use is allowed in that particular district and will fit in with the overall context of the area. In addition, the development permit will enable a review against specific requirements in the Land Use Bylaw pertaining to the proposed use, such as parking and storage. We would suggest obtaining a valid development permit prior to signing a lease.