A comprehensive review of the Town’s Land Use Bylaw is being done by Town Council.  This review is in conjunction with Canmore’s ongoing development of a Community Sustainability Plan  and is part of  the implementation of the Mining the Future Vision for Canmore

What’s New?

The public open house for Rollout #1 was held on November 4, 2009 a copy of the questions, comments and responses from this meeting can be downloaded here. Rollout #1 deals with the ADMINISTRATION, GENERAL REGULATION, and SUBDIVISION portions of the Land Use Bylaw. There is still oportunity to provide feedback regarding Rollout #1. Please send your comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

Download the Project Timeline

Download the Comments Form

What is a Land Use Bylaw?

A Land Use Bylaw is a set of regulations that developers, businesses and residents are required to follow when properties are developed or buildings are constructed or renovated.   Regulations in the Land Use Bylaw include architectural guidelines, portions of a site where buildings may be located, number of dwelling units allowed on a lot, and the types of activities (commercial, industrial, residential)  that can take place on a property.  Specific site requirements such as signage, landscaping, parking, accessory suites and building heights are also regulated through the Land Use Bylaw.

What is being revised? 

The Land Use Bylaw is being revised to address the following issues as prioritized in the Town’s Mining the Future Vision, Comprehensive Housing Action Plan (CHAP), and the draft Community Sustainability Plan:

• Administrative section (permit exemptions and application requirements)
• Variances limits
• Development bonusing schemes
• Architectural guidelines
• Environmentally sensitive areas
• Land subdivision and building on slopes
• Heritage building protection
• Environmentally sustainable building
• Compact neighbourhood forms
• Watershed and groundwater protection
• Employee housing
• Transfer of development credits

What will the process be?

The Bylaw revisions will be done during 2009 and 2010.  During this period the Town of Canmore will be researching new policies to include in the Land Use Bylaw to implement the directions described above.

The process provides ongoing opportunities for public input during advertised open houses as well as via e-mail to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

 Who should I contact for more information? 

Please contact Steve de Keijzer, Planner, at 403 678-1531 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) with questions or for  additional information. If you would like to be included on the email list for the Land Use Bylaw Review, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .