When making decisions about land use in Cochrane, Council considers how a proposed development aligns with provincial legislation, local plans and relevant bylaws.
For example, a resident who wants to add a garage to their property must first apply for a Development Permit. The Development Permit must meet requirements outlined in the Land Use Bylaw. The rules in the Land Use Bylaw are established by Council’s vision described in the Municipal Development Plan, which in turn follows the regulations in the Municipal Government Act.
Cochrane's statutory documents can be changed through our statutory plan amendment process.
Every municipality must compile and keep updated a list of policies that may be considered in making planning decisions.
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| Griffin Road Area Redevelopment Plan |
| Growth Management Strategy Growth Management Strategy is a non-statutory planning document that aligns other plans, policies and strategies for the orderly and appropriate growth of Cochrane, as identified in the visions and objectives of the Cochrane Sustainability Plan and… |
| Heartland Stage 1 Area Structure Plan |
| Heartland Stage 2 Area Structure Plan |
| Heritage Design Guidelines Cochrane has a number of heritage guideline documents to reinforce and promote architectural aesthetics that reflect Cochrane's unique natural environment, western heritage and sense of place. |
| Heritage Hills Area Structure Plan |
| Heritage Hills Stage 2 Neighbourhood Plan |
| How We Grow Healthy growth in a community relies on strong connections. How We Grow explains the planning, policies and practices that go into creating and maintaining those connections, even as Cochrane gets bigger. |
| Industrial Area Structure Plan |
| Integrated Downtown Action Plan The Integrated Downtown Action Plan was developed to help guide investment and decisions around redevelopment of Cochrane's downtown. |
| Integrated Neighbourhood Design Guidelines Great neighbourhoods make a great community. We developed the Integrated Neighbourhood Design Guidelines to identify the components of great neighbourhoods so we can make sure they're included. |
| Intermunicipal Development Plan with Rocky View This plan provides a basis for cooperation and communication between the Town of Cochrane and Rocky View County on matters of mutual interest. |
| Jumping Pound Ridge |
| Lower East Neighbourhood Plan |
| Municipal Development Plan (MDP) |
| Open Spaces Master Plan (OSMP) The Open Spaces Master Plan guides the management and development of the Town of Cochrane’s open space system over the next 20 years. |
| Recreation Master Plan The Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan guides future development of parks, recreation and culture facilities in our community. |
| Renewable Energy Framework Cochrane's Renewable Energy Framework provides guidance around the management of renewable energy in the Town and helps encourage the uptake of renewable energy in the community. |
| River Heights Area Structure Plan |
| Rivercrest Neighbourhood Plan |