What is the purpose of a development permit in Alberta?
Correct Answer
A) To authorize a specific land use or building construction that complies with the land use bylaw
A development permit authorizes a specific use of land or the construction, alteration or placement of a building in accordance with the municipality's land use bylaw. Under Municipal Government Act s. 683, unless the bylaw provides otherwise, development may not start without one. Permitted uses need a permit too: the development authority must issue it if the application conforms to the bylaw (s. 642(1)), while for a discretionary use it may decide whether to issue it (s. 642(2)).
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The development permit is the approval, under the land use bylaw, for a specific use or building on a site. It confirms that the proposed development complies with the bylaw before work begins.
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