All properties within the Town of Sylvan Lake need to comply with the regulations governing development, building, use, and occupancy. Most developments require a development and/or building permit; contact the Planning and Development Department before starting any work, to make sure that you have the right permits in place.
- A development permit confirms that your development plans adhere to our Land Use Bylaw.
- A building permit is written approval by the Town that building plans meet the Alberta Building and Safety Codes Act. A licensed Safety Codes Officer inspects all building permits.
Permit application requirements depend on the type of development you are proposing. Application requirements are outlined on our Permits page.
Subdivision & Development Appeal Process
Subdivision & Development Appeal Boards (SDAB) hear appeals regarding decisions made by a municipality's subdivision and development authorities. If an interested person disagrees with a decision on a development application, a decision on certain subdivision applications or the issuance of a stop order, he or she may file a Notice of Appeal with the Regional Intermunicipal SDAB. The filed Notice of Appeal triggers a hearing before the Regional Intermunicipal SDAB.
The Town of Sylvan Lake joined the Regional Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB), effective October 28, 2024.
The Regional SDAB is a quasi-judicial board established under the Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, c M-26, by participating municipalities.
The Regional SDAB is made up of citizen members who are independent of the planning and development departments or committees whose decisions may be the subject of an appeal. You can access more information about the Parkland Community Planning Services (PCPS) Regional SDAB using this link: PCPS Regional SDAB: About the SDAB.
The process begins with the filing of an appeal. An appeal hearing is scheduled and must be held within 30 days.
Who May Appeal
In the case of a decision on a development permit application:
- The applicant for a development permit, or
- A person affected by the decision
In the case of a decision on a subdivision application:
- The applicant for subdivision,
- A government referral agency, or
- A school authority may appeal.
Please note that neighbours cannot appeal a subdivision application.
In the case of a Stop Order:
- Anyone subject to or affected by the Stop Order may appeal
1. Complete the Regional Intermunicipal SDAB Notice of Appeal Form and attend the reception counter (main floor) at the Town of Sylvan Lake Municipal Government Building located at 5012 48 Avenue, Sylvan Lake, Alberta, and pay the fee of $150.00.
2. Take the completed Notice of Appeal form (hard copy) and receipt for payment of the $150.00 appeal fee to Parkland Community Planning Services (PCPS) by mail, courier, or drop off at the Regional SDAB (PCPS) office in Red Deer at Unit B, 4730 Ross Street, Red Deer, Alberta.
3. The Notice of Appeal, including the receipt for payment, must be received by PCPS on or before the final date to appeal. You can access more information about How to Appeal using this link: PCPS Regional SDAB: How to Appeal.
4. You can access more information about how to participate in an appeal using this link: Participating in an Appeal.
Timelines for Appeal
Development Appeals
With a development permit application or stop order, an appeal must be filed, containing reasons:
- In the case of the applicant or recipient of the order - within 21 days from:
- The date of the decision of a development permit or issuance of an order, or
- The date following the 40-day period after the receipt of an acknowledgement of a complete development permit application or for an application deemed to be complete 20 days after submission if no acknowledgement of a complete application is received, or
- The date following any extension to those periods expires.
- In the case of affected persons - 21 days after notice of the issuance of a permit was given in accordance with the Town of Sylvan Lake Land Use Bylaw.
Subdivision Appeals
With a subdivision application, file an appeal within 14 days from the receipt of the notice of decision, or after the expiration of the time to make a decision prescribed in the Subdivision and Development Regulation.
If a decision is sent by regular mail, the Municipal Government Act, Section 678 (3) allows seven days for notice delivery. The time period does not include the day the notice was sent.
Resources for builders and homeowners
All new homes built in Alberta are required to provide home warranty coverage.
The warranty must include at minimum:
- one year for labour and materials;
- two year defects in labour and materials related to heating, plumbing and electrical systems;
- five year building envelope protection, with a requirement to offer the consumer the option to purchase two additional years of coverage; and
- 10 year coverage for major structural components.
Visit Home Warranty Alberta for more information.
The National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) was developed by the National Research Council and Natural Resources Canada, as part of the commitment to improving the energy efficiency of Canadian buildings, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The NECB covers a wide range of building components and systems, including building envelope, electrical, and mechanical systems.
The NECB became mandatory on November 1, 2016.