Proposed Land Use Bylaw Amendments - Public Hearing October 7, 2026 - 1:30 p.m.

Foothills County

PROPOSED LAND USE BYLAW AMENDMENTS

PUBLIC HEARING – OCTOBER 7, 2026, AT 1:30 P.M. 

PROPOSED LAND USE BYLAW AMENDMENTS 

A public hearing has been scheduled for October 7, 2026, at 1:30 P.M. for proposed amendments to the Land Use Bylaw intended to reduce unnecessary regulatory requirements, streamline development approvals, and improve administrative efficiency.

DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED BY COUNCIL AT THE PUBLIC HEARING

Key proposed amendments include:

Private Solar Power Systems

  • Increasing the size of private solar installations that may be developed without a Development Permit and updating regulations for free-standing solar arrays.

Sub-District "A" Properties

  • Introduce a waiver process on Sub-District “A” parcels where the purpose of the Sub-District designation is not affected by the proposed development.

Building Sizes

  • Replace the current accessory building size regulations with a more flexible cumulative building area approach based on parcel size to provide greater flexibility for how building area is distributed between homes, garages, and accessory buildings.
  • Establish allowance for Development Authority to grant a 25% variance for oversized buildings. 

Maximum Lot Coverage

  • Allow more flexibility on lot coverage in certain districts where supported by a professionally prepared stormwater management plan that aligns with existing provisions already used in industrial areas.

Sea-Cans (Shipping Containers)

  • Increase the number of sea-cans permitted without a Development Permit on Country Residential, Agricultural, and Agricultural Business parcels, subject to applicable standards for location, appearance, and screening. 

Private Arenas

  • Recognizing private arenas as personal use accessory buildings, allowing those that meet applicable building size requirements to proceed without a Development Permit.

Miscellaneous Amendments

  • Clarifying Development Permit exemptions for semi-detached dwellings in the Residential Community District; reducing side yard setbacks in the Country Estate District; introducing provisions for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS); and updating Development Permit exemptions for campaign signs.

A detailed summary of all proposed amendments is available in Appendix A.

Click here to view the advertisement: LUB advertisement

For more information on the public hearing including how to submit information or participate, click, here: Instructions