RM of Lac Du Bonnet

PROPERTY INFORMATION

Zoning By-Laws control the use of land in your community. They states exactly:

• How land may be used
• Where buildings and other structures can be located
• The types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used
• The lot sizes and dimensions, parking requirements, building heights and setbacks from the street.

An official plan sets out your municipality's general policies for future land use. Zoning By-Laws put the plan into effect and provide for its day-to-day administration. They contain specific requirements that are legally enforceable. Construction or new development that doesn't comply with a zoning By-Law is not allowed, and the municipality will refuse to issue a building permit.

Many municipalities have a comprehensive zoning By-Law that divides the municipality into different land use zones, with detailed maps. The bylaw specifies the permitted uses (e.g. commercial or residential) and the required standards (e.g. building size and location) in each zone.

Step 1 - Finding your Zoning

In order to know what you are allowed to do with your property, you must know how the property is zoned. By using the provided maps, you must first locate your property on the map. The property will be colour coded to a zone. A legend is provide at the bottom of each map.

Step 2 – The Zoning By-Law

Now that you know what your property is zoned, you can use the Zoning bylaw to find out your build restrictions. The RM and Town’s Zoning Bylaws have the same layout.

Part 1 – Definitions and Rules of Construction

Part 2 – Administration

Part 3 – Zoning

Part 4 - This is where the zoning tables begin, and this is where most of the information will be provided.

• Part 4 to part 10 (RM zoning tables for their designated zones)
• Part 4 to part 7 (Town zoning tables for their designated zones) 

Each zone has its own table or tables. These tables provide the standard information such as;

Use - This column tells you what the property can be used for and what can be built on the property.

• The RM Zoning Bylaw one Table made up of 2 parts.
  • First part is Permitted Uses.
  • Second part Conditional Uses. 
• The Town Zoning Bylaw has 2 Tables for each zone.
  • The first table is a list showing what is a Permitted Uses and Conditional Uses. 
  • The second table provides the restrictions. 

Permitted Uses - Any use listed as a permitted use in a given zone may be developed on any site within that zone provided all requirements are complied with.

Conditional Uses - Conditional uses listed in a particular zone may be permitted subject to any additional conditions that may be applied by means of a conditional use order as provided for in The Planning Act. 

Common Terms

Site Area - The minimum size of area required for that zoning or associated use.

Site Width - The minimum width of the site for that zoning or associated use.

Front Yard - The setback distance from the front property line (street side) to the use or structure. This distance includes overhangs of roofs (eaves) unless specified otherwise.

Side Yard - The setback distance from the side property lines to the use or structure. This distance includes overhangs of roofs (eaves) unless specified otherwise.

Rear Yard - The setback distance from the rear property lines to the use or structure. This distance includes overhangs of roofs (eaves) unless specified otherwise.

Unit Floor Area - The minimum or maximum area allowed for that use or structure.

Distance To Other Buildings On Site - The minimum distance allowed between two buildings on the same site. The distance is measured eave to eave of buildings/structures.

Number Of Parking Spaces Required - The minimum of number of parking spaces required of that use.

Site Coverage % - The maximum percentage of area allowed to be used for that use on the lot. (1 acre = 43,560sq’)

Height – The maximum height of the structure or building. The distance measured from grade to the highest point of the roof structure, if a flat roof, to the deck of a mansard roof, and to the mean height level between eaves and ridge for gable, hip or gambrel roof.