By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

streamlining

Lacombe changes occupancy permit requirements

Jul 14, 2022 | 4:32 PM

A simple change of tenant will no longer require an occupancy development permit in the city of Lacombe.

Council there approved an amendment to the City’s Land Use Bylaw this week, ensuring such a permit isn’t required when a business name or ownership changes. A permit would still be necessary should there be new construction on a site, modifications made, change of land use, or change of intensity.

“Our Land Use Bylaw is an important tool Council has to ensure development in our community is consistent and fair to residents and businesses,” Mayor Grant Creasey said. “This amendment clarifies important legislation, while also removing unnecessary red tape for those looking to develop in our community.”

The City also notes the change eliminates confusion around the occupancy authorized by a building inspector under the Alberta Building Code — a safety-critical but separate approval.

The most significant impact this will have is on commercial and industrial developers and owners, the City says.

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Development applications often include multi-bat or multi-tenant buildings where no physical changes are actually happening.

This came about after administration found it could leverage the information collected from the business license applications and then integrate Planning and Development reviews into the business license approval process.

Administration also conducted a scan of neighbouring and similar-sized communities, discovered that the permit at-hand is not a widely adopted practice.