How to Use the Land Use Bylaw
Step 1 - Identify Your Land Use District
Before reviewing the Land Use Bylaw, first determine the
Land Use District that applies to your property. Knowing your district will
help you identify the uses and development regulations that apply.
To find your Land Use District, locate your property on the Town’s Land Use District Map and note the district assigned to it, such as Residential (R1) or Large Lot Residential (R3). Schedule 4 of the Land Use Bylaw, identifies all of Magrath’s districts, including R1, SR, R2, R3, R4, C1, C2, LI, I/R, UT, the Flood Hazard Area Overlay and Direct Control.
Or, use the Magrath Public GIS service to find and select your property:
- Find and click on the property
- When the details window appears, click the "View Additional Details" link
- In the pulled up description, locate the section labeled "Land Use District", next to it, your zoning will be listed, such as Residential R1 or Large Lot Residential R3.
Click here if the map does not work.
Step 2 - Review the Land Use District Regulations
Once you know your Land Use District, open the current Town
of Magrath Land Use Bylaw and go to Schedule 4: Land Use Districts, Map &
District Regulations.
Find the section for your district. Schedule 4 identifies
which uses are permitted (allowed if no variances are required), discretionary (requires additional approval), or prohibited within each district.
The overall use table uses “P” for permitted, “DDO” for discretionary uses
decided by the Development Officer, “DMPC” for discretionary uses decided by
the Municipal Planning Commission, and a blank entry for prohibited uses.
Step 3 - Understand the Specific Regulations for Your Zoning District
Once you have located the section in Schedule 4 that corresponds to your property’s zoning district, you can review the detailed regulations that apply. This section will provide information on:
- Permitted and Discretionary Uses – What types of development are allowed and what may require additional approval.
- Minimum Lot Dimensions – The smallest lot width and depth permitted.
- Maximum Lot Size – Any limits on the overall lot area.
- Minimum Yard Setbacks for Buildings – Required distances between buildings and property lines.
- Maximum Site Coverage – The percentage of your lot that can be covered by buildings or structures.
- Floor Area Regulations – Rules governing the allowable size of buildings in relation to the lot.
- Maximum Building Height – Limits on how tall structures can be.
- Accessory Building Regulations – Standards for garages, sheds, and other secondary structures.
Reviewing all of these elements will help you understand what is permitted on your property and guide any future development plans.
Be sure to review the other applicable schedules in the Land
Use Bylaw as well. District regulations in Schedule 4 do not necessarily
contain every rule that applies to a development. The bylaw also contains
development standards and separate regulations for matters such as landscaping
and screening, parking and loading, renewable energy and signs.
Step 4 - Begin the Development Permit Process
After reviewing the applicable regulations, determine
whether your proposed development requires a development permit.
Most development requires a
development permit; however, Schedule 3 of the Land Use Bylaw identifies
certain types of development that do not require one. Even when a development
permit is not required, the development must still comply with all applicable
requirements of the Land Use Bylaw. This includes any measurable standard such as setback distances, building or fence heights and number of accessory buildings.