Municipality of Taber

A development permit is required if your deck meets any of the following criteria:

• It is higher than 48 inches (1.22 m) from finished grade
• It will be covered by a roof
• It will be enclosed

Decks over 48 inches present potential safety concerns, and enclosed or roofed decks are considered more permanent structures that can increase property value. These types of decks also require a building permit in addition to a development permit.

• The fee for a development permit is $100.
• You can apply in person at the MD of Taber Administration Office (4900B – 50th Street, Taber), or request a form by fax.

A development permit is not required if your deck is less than 2 feet (0.61 m) in height from finished grade and complies with setback requirements and lot coverage regulations for your land use district.

For full details, refer to page 59 of the MD of Taber’s Land Use Bylaw No 2011 (PDF).

Yes, a development permit is required for the construction or moving in of a residence or garage.

You can apply for a development permit in person at the Administration Office (4900B – 50^th Street in Taber) or download the Development Application Form here. Please email a copy of your completed application form to the Development Officer at tanderson@mdtaber.ab.ca or to the Lands, Planning and Development Coordinator at jpedersen@mdtaber.ab.ca. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, we are happy to help — call us at 403-223-3541.

Please note

Regulations for dugouts and shelterbelts may vary if your property is subject to an Area Structure Plan (ASP) or a Restrictive Covenant. Please refer to the applicable section below, or for full details, refer to Part 3 of the MD of Taber’s Land Use Bylaw No. 2011 (PDF).

For properties in the Rural Agricultural or Rural/Urban Fringe districts:

Minimum setback distances:

• Dugouts:
  • 100 feet (30.48 m) from the right-of-way of any public roadway (measured from the property line)
  • 50 feet (15.24 m) from side and rear property lines
    
    
• Shelterbelts (trees/bushes):
  • 50 feet (15.24 m) from the right-of-way of a public roadway (measured from the property line)
  • 0 feet from side and rear property lines

Development Permit Requirements:

• Dugouts do not require a development permit on parcels greater than 40 acres (16.2 ha) provided they:

  • Are located in either the Rural Agricultural or Rural/Urban Fringe districts
  • Meet all required setbacks and sightline triangle guidelines
  • Comply with applicable Intermunicipal Development Plans
  • Are designed to prevent drainage, erosion, or seepage onto adjacent properties or municipal road allowances
    
    

• Shelterbelts, trees, and hedges do not require a development permit as long as they meet all setback and visibility requirements outlined in the Land Use Bylaw.

For properties in the Grouped Country Residential, Grouped Country Mixed-Use, Grouped Rural Industrial, Rural Highway Commercial, or Private Commercial Recreation districts:

Minimum setback distances:

• Dugouts:
  • 100 feet (30.48 m) from the right-of-way of public roadways or internal subdivision roads (measured from the property line)

  • 50 feet (15.24 m) from side and rear property lines

• Shelterbelts (trees/bushes):
  • 50 feet (15.24 m) from the right-of-way of public roadways (measured from the property line)
  • 20 feet (6.09 m) from internal subdivision roads (measured from the property line)
  • 0 feet from side and rear property lines

Every property is unique, so it’s often best to contact the appointed assessor for specific details about your assessment.

Click here for general information about property assessments, including a brief explanation of the legislation governing assessments, market value, property classes, and more.

Please note

Setback requirements vary based on the land use district. Area Structure Plans (ASP) or Restrictive Covenants may impose additional or differing standards. Below are the general regulations for each district, or for full details, refer to Part 3 of the MD of Taber's Land Use Bylaw No. 2011 (PDF).

1. Rural Agricultural & Rural/Urban Fringe Districts

No residence shall be located within the following minimum distances:

• 100 feet (30.48 m) from the right-of-way of a public roadway (measured from the property line)
• 20 feet (6.09 m) from side and rear property lines
• 280 feet (85.4 m) within the intersection sight triangle (measured from the property lines)

2. Grouped Country Residential & Grouped Country Mixed-Use Districts

Minimum setback distances for residences:

• 100 feet (30.48 m) from the right-of-way of a public roadway
• 50 feet (15.24 m) from an internal subdivision road
• 20 feet (6.09 m) from side and rear property lines
• 280 feet (85.4 m) within the intersection sight triangle from public roadways
• 100 feet (30.48 m) within the intersection sight triangle from internal subdivision roads

3. Hamlet Residential District

Single-Detached Dwelling (Site Built or Moved-In):

• 25 feet (7.62 m) from front and rear property lines
• 15 feet (4.57 m) from a corner lot’s secondary front yard
• 5 feet (1.52 m) from side yard property lines

Prefabricated Dwelling:

• 25 feet (7.62 m) from the front yard property line
• 10 feet (3.05 m) from the rear yard property line
• 15 feet (4.57 m) from the side yard at the main entrance
• 7.5 feet (2.29 m) from the opposite side yard
• 15 feet (4.57 m) from a corner lot’s secondary front yard

Duplex / Semi-Detached Dwellings:

• 25 feet (7.62 m) from front and rear property lines
• 15 feet (4.57 m) from a corner lot’s secondary front yard

• 5 feet (1.52 m) from side yard property lines

Multi-Unit Dwellings:

• 30 feet (9.14 m) from front and rear property lines
• 20 feet (6.10 m) from side yards and corner lot secondary front yard

Row / Town Housing:

• 25 feet (7.62 m) from front and rear property lines
• 15 feet (4.57 m) from a corner lot’s secondary front yard
• 10 feet (3.05 m)from side yard property lines

  
  

Please note

A 25-foot (7.62 m) intersection sight triangle setback applies to all Hamlet Residential dwelling types.

For all other dwelling types not listed here, setbacks are determined at the discretion of the Development Authority.

Please note

Setback requirements vary depending on the land use district in which the building or structure is located. Please refer to the applicable section below or for full details, refer to Part 3 of the MD of Taber's Land Use Bylaw No. 2011 (PDF).

1. Grouped Rural Industrial, Grouped Country Residential, Grouped Country Mixed-Use, Rural Highway Commercial, and Private Commercial Recreation Districts

Minimum Setback Distances:

• 100 ft (30.48 m) from the right-of-way of a public roadway (measured from the property line)
• 50 ft (15.24 m) from a local internal subdivision road (measured from the property line)
• Intersection sight triangle setbacks:
  • 280 ft (85.4 m) from the right-of-way of a public roadway
  • 100 ft (30.48 m) from a local internal subdivision road

Side and Rear Yard Setbacks:

• Grouped Rural Industrial, Rural Highway Commercial, Private Commercial Recreation:
  • 20 ft (6.09 m)
• Grouped Country Residential or Grouped Country Mixed-Use:
  • 10 ft (3.05 m)

Please note

Setback requirements may be affected by an approved Area Structure Plan or a Restrictive Covenant registered on title.

2. Hamlet Residential District

• Front and corner lot secondary front yard setbacks: Must match those of the principal building (see attached Hamlet Residential setback standards)
• Side and rear yard setbacks: 5 ft (1.52 m)
• Intersection sight triangle: 25 ft (7.62 m)

3. Hamlet Commercial District

• Front and rear yard setbacks: 10 ft (3.05 m)
• Side and corner lot secondary front yard setbacks: 5 ft (1.52 m)
• Intersection sight triangle: 25 ft (7.62 m)

4. Hamlet Industrial District

• Front and corner lot secondary front yard setbacks: 25 ft (7.62 m)
• Side and rear yard setbacks: 10 ft (3.05 m)
• Intersection sight triangle: 25 ft (7.62 m)

Please note

Fencing requirements may vary depending on applicable Area Structure Plans or Restrictive Covenants in place for your property. Please refer to the applicable section below or for full details, refer to pages 196 & 197 of the MD of Taber’s Land Use Bylaw No. 2011 (PDF):

Hamlet or Locality

If your property is located within a Hamlet or Locality, the following fencing regulations apply:

• Front & Secondary Front Yards: Fences, walls, or vegetation cannot exceed 3 feet (0.91 m) in height without an approved development permit. A secondary front yard is defined as a side yard that borders a road allowance.
• Rear & Side Yards: Fence height is limited to 6 feet (1.83 m).
• Materials: In the Hamlet Residential District, fences must not be constructed from barbed wire, razor wire, or any other materials deemed incompatible with a residential appearance by the Development Authority.

Grouped Country Residential, Grouped Country Mixed-Use, Grouped Rural Industrial, Rural Highway Commercial, or Private Commercial Recreation Districts

If the fence is being constructed within one of the above districts, the following standards apply:

• Setback Requirements: Fences, walls, or enclosures are not permitted within:
  • 50 feet (15.24 m) of the right-of-way of an internal subdivision road
  • 100 feet (30.48 m) of the right-of-way of a public roadway outside the subdivision
  • The clear sight triangle
• Rear & Side Yard Fences: Must not exceed 6 feet (1.83 m) in height.
• Windscreen Fences: Require a development permit.
• Agricultural Fencing: Open-strand or barbed wire fencing (to a maximum height of 6 feet / 1.83 m) is exempt from setback and permit requirements if it does not obstruct the vision of approaching vehicles and is placed on the property line.

Rural Agricultural or Rural/Urban Fringe Districts

If your property is within these districts, the following regulations apply:

• Setback Requirements: Fences, walls, or enclosures must not be located within:
  • 100 feet (30.48 m) of a public roadway right-of-way
  • The clear sight triangle
• Windscreen Fences: Do not require a permit if setback requirements are met.
• Agricultural Fencing: Open-strand or barbed wire fencing (up to 6 feet / 1.83 m in height) is exempt from permit requirements and may be located on the property line, provided it does not impede visibility for approaching vehicles.

A development permit is not required for agricultural buildings up to 20,000 ft² (1,858.1 m²) in size, provided they are associated with extensive agriculture or primary agricultural operations on parcels larger than 40 acres (16.2 ha) — as long as all of the following conditions are met:

• The building is located in the Rural Agricultural or Rural/Urban Fringe land use district.
• It does not contain a dwelling unit or any living quarters.
• It does not include a holding tank.
• It complies with all setback requirements from public roads, property lines, and the clear sight triangle.
• It adheres to any applicable Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) requirements.

For full details, refer to page 58 of the MD of Taber’s Land Use Bylaw No. 2011 (PDF).

The keeping of animals or livestock is currently not permitted within the Hamlet Residential land use district.

In Grouped Country Residential or Grouped Country Mixed-Use land use districts, animal and livestock allowances are determined by the applicable Area Structure Plan (ASP). If the ASP addresses animal keeping, those specific provisions apply.

If an ASP does not mention animal or livestock regulations—or if no ASP exists for the area—allowances are governed by the MD of Taber’s Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw No. 1998.

For full details, refer to pages 84 & 90 of the MD of Taber’s Land Use Bylaw No. 2011 (PDF).