A development permit is written approval issued by the Town of Cochrane allowing development to proceed.
Learn about current development permit applications in Cochrane using the Development Map. Recently approved development permits are posted as Public Notices under the Permitted and Discretionary Uses section.
Launch the Development Permit Map Public Notices
What do I Need a Development Permit For?
Development permits are needed for most types of development in Cochrane. As defined by the Municipal Government Act, development includes excavation or stockpiling of material, new buildings, addition/replacement/repair of existing buildings, a change in the use of land or a building or a change in the intensity of use of the land or a building.
Some examples of projects that require a development permit include:
- Accessory Suites (Secondary Suites or Backyard Suites)
- Home Occupations (Class 2)
- Signs on buildings on private land
- Multi-Unit Dwellings
- Bed & Breakfasts
Exceptions to the requirement for a development permit can be found in Section 1.12 of the Land Use Bylaw.
If you are unsure whether a development permit is required for your project, you can discuss your proposal with Planning Services at planning@cochrane.ca for more information.
Application Process
To apply for a development permit, fill out an application form and provide the necessary supporting documents. The type of supporting documents required will depend on the nature of your project. Please refer to the appropriate checklist to determine what you will need to submit in order to provide a complete application. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Please refer to the Land Use Bylaw for more details on the above types of development.
To submit your application, send an email with the completed application form and all supporting documents to planning@cochrane.ca. Once we have received a complete application, your application will be assigned to a File Manager for review. If we need more information, we will get in touch to let you know what is missing.
Once your application is in review, it will be circulated to various Town departments and external agencies for comment. If there are any comments, we will let you know so that you can address them.
After reviewing the application, comments and recommendations, the approving authority will either approve the application, approve the application with conditions, or cite reasons for refusal. This will be provided to the applicant in the form of a Notice of Decision. The development permit will be released after a three-week appeal period provided no appeals were received.