What is a Zoning Bylaw?

Whereas the OCP presents strategic goals for development in the RM, the Zoning Bylaw (ZB) outlines specific regulations and requirements for development. This includes setback distances, rules concerning signage and parking, permitted and discretionary uses, minimum and maximum site sizes, and zoning districts. The ZB is legislated through the Planning and Development Act, 2007. Altogether, all development proposals must align with the requirements outlined in the ZB to be approved by Council.

If you would like to amend the ZB, please complete and submit an OCP/ZB Text Amendment Application. The ZB text amendment process is similar to the rezoning process and requires a $500 non-refundable administrative fee. 

A consolidated copy of the Zoning Bylaw can be found attached at the bottom of this webpage. 

What are Zoning Districts?

Every parcel of land in the RM has a specific zoning designation that outlines what type of activities (or uses) are permitted on the parcel. All zoning districts also include discretionary uses that require Council approval.

Zoning districts are the RM's primary development tool to ensure adjacent land uses are compatible. Each zoning district includes specific development standards for development in that zone. Zoning districts are categorized into: agricultural, residential, community service, commercial, and industrial.

Zoning Maps (updated up to Jan 2024) can be found attached at the bottom of this webpage. 

If you are interested in rezoning your parcel to a different zoning district, click here.

Zoning District	Description	Example Subdivisions	Type
Agricultural Resource (AR)	Preserves large agricultural areas for diverse farming operations, including crops, irrigation, and livestock. Allows intensive agriculture and related commercial or industrial uses under certain conditions. Resource‑based uses like aggregate extraction may be permitted at Council’s discretion.		Agricultural
Country Residential 1 (CR1)	Supports rural residential development by allowing up to two residential sites to be subdivided from agricultural land. Primary use is residential, with limited agriculture or home‑based businesses.		Residential
Country Residential 2 (CR2)	Allows comprehensively planned, clustered multi‑parcel rural neighbourhoods within the Development Overlay Area. These areas blend rural character with some urban‑level services and are designed for low‑density country residential living.	Stone Pointe Estates Rock Pointe Estates Mission Pointe Estates
Country Residential 3 (CR3)	Similar to CR2 but intended for medium‑density rural neighbourhoods. Located within the Development Overlay Area, offering a mix of rural character and urban services	Spruce Creek Estates Vista Springs
Urban Residential 1 (R1)	Provides low‑density urban neighbourhoods within Emerald Park and its future growth areas. Subdivisions must be fully serviced and connected to planned transportation networks. Single‑family homes are the primary housing type.	Emerald Park Phases I-VII
Urban Residential 2 (R2)	Supports medium‑density urban development in Emerald Park. Fully serviced subdivisions with strong transportation connections. Single‑family homes remain dominant, with some flexibility through discretionary approvals	Woods Crescent Fairway South Aspen Village
Urban Residential 3 (R3)	Accommodates medium‑ to high‑density urban housing in Emerald Park. Fully serviced areas with good access to amenities and transportation. Allows a variety of housing types including duplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and apartments.
Residential Manufactured Home (RMH)	Provides neighbourhoods primarily for manufactured, mobile, or modular homes. New development must be fully serviced and located within the Development Overlay Area.	Copppersands
Community Service (CS)	Designates areas for community‑oriented uses such as cultural, educational, recreational, and social facilities that serve residents and the broader region.	White Butte RCMP William Albert Care Home	Community Service
High Profile Commercial (HPC)	Supports commercial and light industrial uses along major roadways where visibility is important. Development must feature high‑quality landscaping and architecture. Serves local, regional, and travelling users.	Carsons Industrial Metz (Granite) Industrial Prairie View	Commercial
Shopping Centre (SC)	Allows cohesive commercial developments designed as unified shopping centres with shared parking, coordinated signage, and pedestrian‑friendly layouts. Primarily serves local residents.	South Plains Road Emerald Crossing
General Commercial (COM1)	Provides space for a wide range of commercial and light industrial uses with minimal conflict with neighbouring land uses. Serves mainly local residents, with some regional and highway‑oriented services.	Great Plains Road McLeod Road
General Industrial (IND1)	Accommodates industrial uses with moderate land‑use impacts. Not dependent on high‑traffic exposure. Allows large outdoor storage areas with required landscaping and screening. Heavy equipment access permitted where roads allow.	New Horizon Business Park Great Plains Industrial Park	Industrial
Extraction and Heavy Industrial (EHI)	Intended for large‑scale extractive and heavy industrial operations that require separation from other land uses due to noise, odour, or other impacts. Includes mining, aggregate extraction, and raw material processing.	Heidelberg/Croft Gravel Pits (Northwest of Pilot Butte)
Future Development (FD)	Reserves land for long‑term growth. Agricultural uses remain primary until the land is rezoned for development.		N/A
Direct Control Districts (DCDs)	Accommodate existing low-density dwelling clusters that do not conform to the regulations of a standard zoning district.	Zehner Richardson	Residential/Agricultural

Wondering if a use is allowed in a particular Zoning District?

To help you identify where specific uses are permitted, we’ve prepared a comprehensive list of land uses by zoning district for general reference. Please note that this information is provided as a convenience only and does not form part of the Zoning Bylaw. For official regulations and requirements, refer to Zoning Bylaw 2019‑20 or contact a Development Officer.