Relocating to Lacombe County
This guide is designed to help both new and potential residents of Lacombe County answer questions that come up when relocating to a new community.
We’ve done our best to compile the most common questions we are asked in an effort to streamline the process for you.
Rural living is very different than urban living, but equally fulfilling. Lacombe County offers beautiful landscapes, numerous parks, sunny beaches, easy access to cities, towns and villages, and excellent service levels.
We are thrilled with your decision to move here.
Welcome to Lacombe County!
Why Move to Lacombe County?
Lacombe County contains vast, beautiful farm lands, with several 100-year-old farms still operating. We take great pride in being involved with such a historic community, while supporting new development opportunities. With low tax rates on farm land and residential, Lacombe County offers a unique experience in merging new growing families, with established and mature areas.
Our County covers over 2,964 square kilometres containing several lakes, historic communities, golf courses, trails, and parks. We are proud to offer family friendly recreation areas such as Kuhnen Park, Anderson Park, Rays Pond, Mary & Cliff Soper Natural Area, Kuhnen Natural Area, Tees Pond, and Sandy Point Beach. We have also extended the Trans Canada Trail throughout our County. For more information on parks, beaches, and trails, you can check out Lacombe Tourism.
An Overview of the County
Lacombe County is 2,964 square kilometres and contains six hamlets, 41 townships (including partial townships), as well as six municipalities and four summer villages.
You can view a map of the County by clicking the Lacombe County Map.
Municipalities
o Lacombe
o Blackfalds
o Clive
o Bentley
o Eckville
o Alix
Summer Villages
o Summer Village of Gull Lake
o Summer Village of Sunbreaker Cove
o Summer Village of Birchcliff
o Summer Village of Half Moon Bay
Hamlets
o Morningside
o Haynes
o Joffre
o Mirror
o Tees
o Rosedale
Different Industries
Diversified agriculture
Intensive livestock industry
Oil and gas production, service industry
Petrochemical manufacturing (NOVA Chemicals, Dow Chemical)
Sand and gravel extraction
Small business
Lake-based recreation and tourism
Education in Lacombe County
For more information on public, Catholic, Christian, and post-secondary schools within or close to Lacombe County, please contact the schools or school board directly.
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools
Montfort Centre
5210-61 Street
Red Deer, AB
403-343-1055
https://rdcrs.ca/
Family & Community Support Services (FCSS)
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the strengthening and enhancing of family and community life by offering locally based preventative and supportive services, promoting volunteerism and coordinating partnerships within the community
Lacombe & District FCSS
For more information CLICK HERE.
Phone: 403-782-6637
Email:
Fax: 403-782-6639
Blackfalds FCSS
For more information CLICK HERE.
5016 Waghorn Street, Blackfalds
Phone: 403-600-9066
Email:
Bentley FCSS
For more information CLICK HERE.
4834 - 52nd Avenue, Bentley
Phone: 403-748-2160
Email:
Eckville FCSS
For more information CLICK HERE.
Located in the Eckville Town Office
Phone: 403-746-3177
Clive Neighborhood Place & FCSS
For more information CLICK HERE.
5011 Railway Ave, Clive
Phone: 403-754-5695
Alix FCSS
For more information CLICK HERE.
4831 -
50th Avenue, Alix
Phone: 403-747-2031
Email:
Centrally located between Edmonton and Calgary, Lacombe County residents have access to an array of medical services.
Looking for a doctor or clinic information?
Wolf Creek Primary Care Network
Website Link
Solid Waste & Recycling Information
Solid Waste & Recycling Information
Solid Waste
Lacombe Regional Waste Services Commission has several transfer sites located throughout the County for easy access to disposal.
Transfer sites are located at:
Prentiss
Spruceville
Bentley
Alix/Mirror
Eckville
For a full list of acceptable waste, hours of operation, and cost, please click on the Lacombe Regional Waste link below:
Lacombe Regional Waste Services Commission
Recycling
There are recycling stations located at the Alix/Mirror and Eckville transfer sites, as well as in the City of Lacombe, Bentley, Alix, Eckville, Mirror, and Summer Villages.
You can view a list of recycling stations and links here: Recycling
Cities, towns, and villages within Lacombe County offer their own garbage and recycling pick up.
For more information please call the office.
Drop off locations can also be found on the lrwcs.ca website under recycling.
Utility & Gas Providers
You have the power to choose between the regulated rate company or a competitive price company to be your electricity and natural gas provider.
Based on where you live or work in Alberta, find the best energy providers, plans and payment options for you. To find utility and gas providers in your area CLICK HERE.
Rural Electrification Associations (REAs)
Rural Electrification Associations (REAs) are unique to Alberta. They provide power for consumers in rural communities within a specific geographic boundary. Each REA has an elected board of directors that handles the business operations of the REA.
Lacombe County's residents can choose to use EQUS as their electricity provider,
For questions regarding power lines, power poles, digging, power outages, or to report street lamps out, please contact Fortis Alberta at 1-866-717-3113 or visit the Fortis Alberta Website.
EQUS is the Rural Electrification Association for Lacombe County.
Battle River Power Co-op is another option for electricity in Lacombe County. They can be reached at 1-877-428-3972.
Snow Removal / Road Grading
The Lacombe County Operations Department stays busy throughout the year maintaining 326km of paved roads, and 1,735km of gravel roads.
To view Operations FAQs CLICK HERE.
Numbered highways within the County are maintained by the Province of Alberta. You can contact them at 403-340-4961.
If you have any questions, requests for service, or complaints, we are happy to take your call:
Operations 403-782-8379
Public Works 403-782-3567
Non-emergency services requests can also be made through our Online Service Request Form or through the myLacombeCounty app (iPhone users).
Snow Removal / Road Grading
Recreation & Activities
For local attractions, accommodations (including campgrounds), activities, and upcoming events within Lacombe County visit the Lacombe Regional Tourism Website.
Lacombe County boasts three great lakes: Gull Lake, Sylvan Lake and Buffalo Lake, as well as ample camping areas and easy access to the mountains.
Peace Officers & Enforcement
Peace Officers & Enforcement
Lacombe County has four full time Peace Officers. The primary mandate is traffic safety and preventing damage to County road infrastructure. Their responsibilities include:
- Protecting County road infrastructure
- Enforcing traffic infractions on County roads
- Providing info on legislation and County bylaws
- Providing enforcement services to local communities
- Inspecting properties for the Lacombe County Planning and Development Department
- Providing assistance to the RCMP, Lacombe Police Service, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Fish and Wildlife, and surrounding counties as needed.
For a full list of the Mandated Acts and responsibility of Lacombe County Community Peace Officers are responsible for, please CLICK HERE.
If you see criminal activity, please call 911.
There are a number of active Rural Crime Watch associations in Lacombe County. To join or to learn more, visit the Rural Crime Watch section of our website.
Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP)
Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP)
The Tax Installment Payment Plan (TIPP) is a popular program which allows you to pay your property taxes on a monthly basis instead of one payment in August.
Your payment automatically comes out of your bank account on the 15th day of every month, making budgeting easier and helping you avoid the risk of a 6% penalty in September and a 10% penalty in December.
For more information and to access the application form CLICK HERE.
Dust Control
Dust can be a problem in rural Alberta; Lacombe County has a policy to provide ratepayers with the option of dust control in front of residences.
This is an application of calcium chloride for a cost per lineal metre. The user rate represents 1/3 of the actual cost, with Lacombe County paying the remaining 2/3 of the cost. Most residences require between 100 and 200 metres. The dust control products are only guaranteed for one full season.
Application accompanied with payment must be received by the County by late April or early May. For more information and to see current dust control rates CLICK HERE.
Fire Permits / Burning Permits
Fire permits are required in Lacombe County between April 1 and October 31. During critical dry periods, fire bans can be enacted, whereby no open fires are allowed. For information on obtaining fire permits, contact the County office @ 403-782-8959.
To access information on fire permits and to access the online permit request form CLICK HERE.
Weed Control
Lacombe County utilizes pesticides in their maintenance operations. The County does allow for no-spray agreements adjacent to property you own. In Alberta, landowners are both responsible for and required by law to control plants designated as weeds under the Weed Control Act. Rural municipalities enforce the Act as a means of preventing the spread of weeds that can have serious implications to agricultural production.
For more information on weeds, contact the Manager of Environmental and Protective Services at 403-782-6601 or CLICK HERE.
Dog Ownership
Dog Ownership in Lacombe County only requires a dog license for residents in the Hamlet of Mirror. The cost is $15 for an altered dog, and $30 for unaltered. You can download and fill out the form, for a maximum of three dogs. Click here to download the form.
To view the dog bylaw please visit our website.
