What is a Land Use Bylaw?
- All municipalities are required by the Municipal Government Act to adopt a Land Use Bylaw. Land Use Bylaws are sometimes referred to as Zoning Bylaws.
- Smoky Lake County's current Land Use Bylaw was adopted by Council in 2014. Since its adoption, there have been eleven (11) amendments approved by Council.
- A Land Use Bylaw establishes the rules and regulations for how land can be used, what types of developments are allowed or prohibited, and the decision-making processes for subdivision and development applications.
- A Land Use Bylaw divides a municipality into different districts (or zones) to help separate certain uses that are incompatible (e.g. heavy industrial uses near residential areas), and to direct certain types of uses to areas where they are most suitable (e.g. where servicing exists, highway access is available, etc.).
- It is important to note that Land Use Bylaws do not facilitate land expropriation.