Subdivision

In 2017, Lacombe County adopted a new Municipal Development Plan using extensive feedback from the community. The community indicated that subdivision opportunities are needed to sustain the rural lifestyle, but need to be balanced to ensure large tracts of agricultural lands are preserved for the benefit of future generations. This feedback determined the subdivision policies that were adopted through the Municipal Development Plan. 

There are three types of subdivisions that may be considered in the County’s agricultural areas.

• First parcel out subdivision
• Agricultural parcel subdivision
• Fragmented parcel subdivision

 (Click on the links or see below for full descriptions)

A first parcel out subdivision provides an opportunity to create a separate parcel on an unsubdivided quarter section where an established dwelling already exists. To be eligible, the quarter section must be unsubdivided and must have had a habitable permanent residence on site for at least five years preceding the date of the subdivision application.

The parcel cannot exceed a size of 1.62 hectares (4.0 acres) in size unless the County determines that a larger size is required to accommodate residential improvements, such as a shelterbelt, outbuildings or a driveway,  or is reasonable based on the site’s topographical features. Please note, a shelter belt does not include treed or forested areas and residential improvements do not include corrals, barns or other agricultural buildings.If a larger size is considered warranted, the maximum size of a parcel that can be approved by the Subdivision Authority is 2.2 hectares (5.5 acres).

To minimize the loss of agricultural, cultivated land cannot be included in the subdivided yard site. 

An agricultural parcel subdivision allows an agricultural producer of a specialized or intensive agricultural operation to create a smaller parcel where an entire quarter section is not required for the operation. To be eligible, the quarter section must be unsubdivided. Examples of a specialized or intensive agricultural operation can be greenhouse complexes, horticultural operations, specialty breeding facilities, etc.

The specialized or intensive agricultural operation must be operating on the site for longer than one year prior to subdivision approval. When applying, the business operator must submit an adequate, detailed business plan that may include a financial plan to verify the existence of the business.

The parcel must be at least 4.05 hectares (10 acres) in size. 

If two or three parts of a quarter section are physically severed from each other, with no physical access between the parts, a fragmented parcel subdivision can be considered by the County. Examples of a fragmenting feature would include a highway, County road, railway, or permanent or naturally occurring body of water.

In the case of a permanent or naturally occurring body of water, the feature must be permanent in nature with a visually defined riparian area where the vegetation and soils are strongly influenced by the presence of water OR written confirmation from the Government of Alberta that the title to the bed and shore of the waterbody is vested in the Crown in the right of Alberta. If these criteria are not met, the land is not considered fragmented and subdivision is not possible.

A fragmented parcel subdivision may result in no more than three titles per quarter section. 

If you are in a residential neighbourhood or hamlet, the policies highlighted above do not apply. Subdivision policies vary by District. Depending on lot size, resubdivision may be possible. Please contact Planning Services at planning@lacombecounty.com and 403-782-8389 if you would like more information. 

The subdivision fees are as follows: 

• First parcel out subdivision, agricultural subdivision, or boundary adjustment: $500 application fee, plus a $250 approval fee required at the time of subdivision endorsement.
• Fragmented parcel subdivision: $1000 application fee, plus a $250 approval fee required at the time of subdivision endorsement.
• Re-subdivision of a residential parcel (where there is no rezoning): $500 application fee, plus a $250 approval fee required at the time of subdivision endorsement.

For other types of subdivision, please contact Planning Services for fees and further information.

All fees are payable to Lacombe County via cheque, cash, debit, or credit card. Credit card payments are completed using OptionPay (a third party software provider) and are subject to additional surcharges. 

Refunds of subdivision application fees:

• Prior to circulation of application – 75% of original fee
• During or after circulation of application – 50% of original fee
• After site inspection – no refund

When considering a subdivision of land, you should consider any additional costs that may be associated with the conditions of approval for a subdivision. Common expenses include having the parcel surveyed by an Alberta Land Surveyor, an inspection from a Safety Codes Officer of existing sewage disposal systems, and/or the installation of a new wastewater system that meets current safety codes, as well as ensuring that all property taxes on the subject quarter section are paid. In some cases, cash payments may be required in lieu of a municipal reserve.

In certain cases, the subject land may be located in an area also directed by a local plan such as an Area Structure Plan, or an Intermunicipal Development Plan if the land is adjacent to an urban municipality. The policies contained in these plans are carefully considered when deciding on the application.

Applications are circulated to neighbouring property owners, neighbouring municipalities, provincial departments, interested agencies and any party that has a registered interest on the title. Their comments are considered before any decision on the subdivision application is made. In circumstances where the application is within one-half mile of a provincial highway, the subdivision also requires the approval of Alberta Transportation.

Subdivision application forms are available at the Lacombe County office or can be downloaded from the application forms and information guides page.