A letter of compliance, or letter of non-compliance, is a letter identifying if all buildings and structures on a property meet the required minimum setbacks from the Land Use Bylaw and have all required development permits. The review is based on a Real Property Report (RPR) submitted to Cochrane. The municipality also checks for any encroachments into rights-of-way or municipal property.
This service is provided to residents to facilitate real estate and other property transactions. For a detailed breakdown of application fees, please consult the planning fee schedule (PDF).
What is reviewed as part of the compliance process?
Compliance review includes:
- Review of the regulations in Cochrane's Land Use Bylaw (PDF) for various types of improvements on the property (e.g. house, deck, garage), including setbacks
- Review of encroachments into easements, rights-of-way and municipal properties (e.g. roads, lanes, parks)
- Ensuring applicable development permits were issued for structures on-site (eg. house, garage)
- Review of parking requirements, including required stall dimensions and number of stalls required for the intended residential use(s)
The review does not include:
- Review of fences, walls or retaining walls
- Review of encroachments between private property owners
- Completion of building permit requirements under the Alberta Building Code
How do I apply for a Letter of Compliance?
To apply for a Letter of Compliance via email, submit your completed application form (PDF) accompanied by the original, unsecured electronic copy of the Real Property Report (RPR) that is current within one (1) year of the application date to planning@cochrane.ca. Surveys older than 365 days will not be accepted. Please provide the original PDF (scans and photocopies will not be accepted).
You can also apply by filling out an online application form.
What if I receive Letter of Non-Compliance?
In the event that a property is determined to be non-compliant based on the submitted Real Property Report, the applicant will receive a Letter Respecting Non-Compliance. In most cases, the letter will include a request to apply for a development permit to bring the property into compliance. The development permit application may be required to address one of multiple possible concerns, including but not limited to:
- A regulation in the Land Use Bylaw is not being met, and a variance to that regulation is required;
- A change has been made to the property that required a development permit which was not applied for or approved; or
- A change has been made to the property for which a development permit was issued, but the change does not meet the conditions of the approval and/or match the approved drawings.
View Development permits and applications for information on how to apply for a development permit, including timelines, fees, application forms and checklists.
Once you have received an approved development permit, you may re-apply for a Letter of Compliance at a reduced fee of 50% of the original application fee (as long as the resubmission is received within 6 months of the date on the Letter Respecting Non-Compliance).