A letter of compliance or letter of non-compliance confirms whether buildings and structures on a property meet land use bylaw requirements and have the required development permits.
The review is based on a real property report submitted to the municipality and includes checks for setbacks and encroachments onto municipal land or rights-of-way. This service supports real estate transactions and other property-related needs.
A Real Property Report should be an accurate reflection of the current state of the site, showing all structures (e.g. houses, decks, garages, sheds, fences, retaining walls, patios, steps, etc.) located on the property.
A compliance review includes:
- review of land use bylaw regulations for structures on the property such as houses, decks and garages, including required setbacks
- review of encroachments into easements, rights-of-way and municipal land such as roads, lanes and parks
- confirmation that required development permits were issued for on-site structures
- review of parking requirements, including the number and size of required stalls for residential uses
A compliance review does not include:
- review of fences, walls or retaining walls
- review of encroachments between private property owners
- review of building permit compliance under the Alberta Building Code
How do I apply for a letter of compliance?
Apply by email
To apply by email, submit:
- a completed letter of compliance application form (PDF)
- the original, unsecured electronic copy of a real property report that is no more than one year old.
Email your completed application to planning@cochrane.ca.
Apply online
You can also apply by completing the online application form.
Please note: Surveys (real property reports) older than 365 days will not be accepted. Scans or photocopies of real property reports cannot be accepted
What happens if a property is non-compliant
If the review identifies non-compliance, the applicant will receive a letter respecting non-compliance. In most cases, this letter will outline next steps to bring the property into compliance.
This may include applying for a development permit to address issues such as:
- a land use bylaw regulation not being met and a variance is required
- changes made to the property without an approved development permit
- changes made that do not match approved plans or permit conditions
Visit Development permits and applications to learn how to apply for a development permit, including timelines, fees, forms and checklists.
Re-applying after approval
Once you receive an approved development permit, you may re-apply for a letter of compliance at a reduced fee of 50 per cent of the original application fee.
To qualify for the reduced fee, your re-application must be submitted within six months of the date on the letter respecting non-compliance.