A Land Use Bylaw (LUB) is a regulatory tool that outlines the rules for the development and use of land and buildings within Clearwater County for each land use district (i.e. zoning). Topics included in the LUB are land use redesignations, subdivision, and development permit applications.
Over the past year, the Land Use Bylaw Public Advisory Committee (PAC) and Council Steering Committee have been working through the Land Use Bylaw (LUB) rewrite project piece by piece.
The goal of this much needed update was to modernize the old Land Use Bylaw, which was approved in 2001.
Land Use Bylaw 25/050 was adopted on September 9, 2025.
 | Combined Land Use DistrictsThe following chart references old land use districts that have been consolidated or changed into new districts for the new Land Use Bylaw: Amended MapsLand Use Bylaw 25/050 includes maps for townships and hamlets. For ease of use, these maps have been included below as separate documents to reduce loading time.
Find old maps for townships and hamlets (from the 2001 LUB) linked at the bottom of the page under Documents for reference to previous district information. |
September 9, 2025 Update
Clearwater County Council would like to thank all residents, businesses and industry members who participated in the recent public engagement and public hearing for the Land Use Bylaw 25/050. Council and Administration appreciate the time, passion, and commitment shown by community members who attended, viewed the livestream, or submitted feedback online, over the phone or in person with Administration and Council.
At their Regular Council Meeting on September 9, 2025, Council granted second and third reading to Bylaw 25/050 to adopt a new Land Use Bylaw and rescind LUB 714/01 for Clearwater County and LUB 450 for the Village of Caroline.
This rewrite — a process that has taken almost 24 months — was intended to modernize outdated language, add clarity and consistency, and provide more flexibility for landowners and developers in how they use their property. The development of the LUB process included two sets of open houses, public feedback opportunities (online, in person, via mail, vial email, via open house and public hearing), and widespread communications.
Key changes include:
- Simplified application rules, processes and timelines
- Clearer definitions to reduce ambiguity
- More discretionary options for property owners
- Enhanced section of development not requiring a permit
- Additional details in each land use district of development not requiring a permit, and many more 'permitted' or approvable developments, such as the addition of secondary suites as 'permitted' in many districts.
This work was driven entirely at the local level, in response to community needs and administrative challenges.
Still have questions? Please reach out to Council or Administration.
Documents
- Previous Land Use Districts - Township Maps (2001)
- Previous Land Use Districts - Hamlet Maps (2001)
- LUB Frequently Asked Questions
- LUB Myths & Facts
Last updated: September 19, 2025
Past Public Engagement & Response
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, May 4, 2025 | Session 1 - 1:00 pm Session 2 - 3:30 pm | Nordegg Community Hall |
| Monday, May 5, 2025 | Session 1 - 3:00 pm Session 2 - 6:00 pm | Caroline Community HUB |
| Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | Session 1 - 3:00 pm Session 2 - 6:00 pm | Condor Community Hall |
| Thursday, May 8, 2025 | Session 1 - 3:00 pm Session 2 - 6:00 pm | Frisco Community Hall |
| *Virtual ZOOM - Thursday, May 8, 2025, 12:00 noon | ||
Download the full event poster here.
Why did the County update the LUB?
The previous Clearwater County Land Use Bylaw 714/01 (LUB) was approved in 2001 and required renewal to be consistent with the updated Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and to enhance clarity, readability, and user-friendliness.
Much of the content in the 2001 version was carried over from the original 1987 Bylaw. Through the process of review and revision, both the County Administration and residents had the opportunity to evaluate current standards, which might have become outdated, and integrate fresh standards that align with the evolving trends in land use observed over the past two decades. This re-envisioning of the Land Use Bylaw aimed to enhance clarity, readability, and user-friendliness.
Find answers to other Frequently Asked Questions here.
Areas of Review
The Public Advisory Committee and Council Steering Committee reviewed the Land Use Bylaw in its entirety during the rewrite project.
Topics that were reviewed include:
- Definitions
- Aggregate Resource Extraction
- Removal of Telecommunication Towers regulations
- Secondary Suites / Bonafide Need
- Recreational Vehicle Use
- Comprehensive review of the Permitted and
- Discretionary uses in all districts
- Compliance with existing County Policies including new 2023 Municipal Development Plan
- Compliance with Provincial Legislation
- Readability of entire document – added graphics were possible.
- Mapping Updates
- Ag Districts – General and Intensive
- Animals, including Wild Boars and Game
- Farming
- Campgrounds
- Childcare
- Density
- Development Permit Exceptions
- Flood Hazard Area
- Home Based Businesses
- Land Use Districts – permitted / discretionary, lot coverage, building heights, housing types, setbacks
- Lot Grading Permit
- Floor Area – Max and Min
- Nordegg Specific – land uses, parking, lot sizes
- Sea Cans
- Short Term Rentals
- Signage
- Renewable Energy
- Temporary Development
- Transportation
- Variances
