F.A. Questions

A Development Permit acknowledges the use of land and buildings and its compliance with the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. An approved Development Permit is required in almost all instances in order to construct, erect, place, alter, repair, renovate or reconstruct a building/structure on your property. If you begin development without the required approvals, the R.M. has the ability under the Zoning Bylaw to issue an Order of Compliance, or other means of enforcement.

A Building Permit is separate from a Development Permit. A Building Permit refers to building construction and compliance with the National Building Code of Canada and Uniform Building & Accessibility Standards. Almost every application for a Development Permit also requires the submission of a Building Permit.

Please contact the R.M. Administration Office to determine whether or not your proposed project needs a Development Permit, a Building Permit, or both.

No. A limited number of types of development do not require a Development Permit. However, more often than not you will need a Development Permit.

Generally, for a Permitted Use where new construction is not being proposed, a Development Permit maybe issued within ten (10) business days of receiving a complete application. Where new construction is being proposed, the process to obtain a Building Permit is also required.

Generally, for a Discretionary Use, once the required time for receiving responses to the written notifications has elapsed and time is provided to address any concerns raised by ratepayers, the application is presented to R.M. Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Under normal conditions, the recommendation can be presented within 45-60 days of receiving a completed application.

Submit the completed Building Permit application form, along with any necessary building information such as building plans or design worksheets, to the R.M. Administration Office. The R.M. Administration Office will forward your application to BuildTECH Ltd. on behalf of the applicant.

The application fee is $25 for residential construction and $100.00 for commercial construction and payable at the time you submit your application.

The Building Permit fee for residential, commercial or industrial permits is $5.00 per $1,000 of construction value. For example a structure with a value of construction of $250,000 will result in permit fees of $1,250.00 [($250,000 / $1,000) x $5.00]. Council may waive this fee and opt to charge the costs of the inspection fees.

Allow 4 – 6 weeks for an application to be processed. A Building Permit typically takes 3 - 4 weeks. However, if additional information is required or at times of high application volumes, an application review may take 4-6 weeks to process. Please ensure you are providing yourself ample time prior to when construction to obtain approval.

A Building Permit is typically valid for the applicant to begin construction within 1 year from the date the permit is issued. The R.M. Administration Office can extend the deadline for the start of your project past 1 year if requested at the time of application. For example, if you get your permit over the winter months we can extend the start date for construction for additional months during the year when construction can occur.

An extension can also be granted during the 1 year time period if you require more time. For example, if due to financial concerns you have delayed construction, but now are in a position to start and need more time, the R.M. Administration Office can grant an extension.

An extension may be applied for with a signed, written request to the R.M. from the landowner.

Building permits are valid for the duration of the building process. As long as you have started construction and continue construction, as per your conditions of approval, you can take as long as you want to complete your project. However, if work on the project stops for more than 12 months the permit will expire and a new permit will have to be issued to complete the project.

Please note, you cannot occupy or use the building or structure until construction is complete and the permits have been closed. The R.M. Administration Office recommends completing all Building Permits in a timely manner.

A Building Permit is required for structural changes to the building. Cosmetic changes do not require a Building Permit. If in doubt, contact the R.M. Administration Office or contact BuildTECH Consulting & Inspections Inc. at 306-229-6916 to determine whether or not your project will require a Building Permit or for more information on the National Building Code and Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards.

The R.M.'s appointed Building Official is BuildTECH Consulting & Inspections Inc. to review Building Permit plans and conduct building inspection services. They may be reached at 306-229-6916.

Yes, a permit is required to be issued by the R.M. Administration Office prior to demolishing or removing a building or structure on your property. An application form, fees and a security deposit must be submitted for approval.

Yes, a permit is required to be issued by the R.M. Administration Office prior to relocating a building or structure from another property, whether inside or outside the RM of Biggar, onto your property. An application form and fees must be submitted for approval.

Yes, a permit is required to be issued by the R.M. Planning Department prior to relocating a building or structure from one location to another on your own property. The relocation must comply with set-backs outlined in the Zoning Bylaw. An application form and fees must be submitted for approval.

A "rezoning" means to change the zoning of a property: for example from agricultural to industrial. A bylaw amendment to the applicable Zoning Bylaw is required to facilitate this change.

A rezoning approval is often required to subdivide and develop residential, commercial and industrial parcels within the R.M. of Biggar. Typically, a rezoning is required because the current Zoning District does not allow for the proposed development or there is a conflict with the proposed land use, parcel size or other regulation. The applicant or landowner initiates the rezoning to support their proposal.

Submit a written request, along with any necessary information to the R.M. Administration Office. Administration will review the application and begin the process as required by The Planning and Development Act, 1984. The Applicant will be notified of the scheduled public meeting and when the application will be presented to the R.M. Council. The Applicant is responsible for all costs involved in a rezoning application.

Subdivision is the process in which a parcel of land is divided into two or more parcels, in order to obtain separate legal titles for each parcel.

The provincial Community Planning Branch with the Ministry of Government Relations is the approving authority for subdividing land in the R.M. All subdivision applications, and required attachments, must be submitted to Community Planning in order to begin the subdivision process. Community Planning will facilitate a referral for review of the subdivision to the R.M. Council. Please contact Community Planning for more information on the application process.

No. Subdivision is the process in which a parcel of land is divided into two or more parcels, in order to obtain separate legal titles for each parcel. Rezoning means to change the Zoning District and the use of the land that will be applicable to the use on your property.

In some cases, a rezoning will be required to support the proposed subdivision. If this is the case, the application for a rezoning should accompany your application to subdivide a parcel.