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 Town of Cochrane 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 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.