development permits

A development is the carrying out of any building, engineering, mining, or other operations, in, on, or over land, or the making of any material change in the use or the intensity of the use of any building or land.

No.   A development permit acknowledges the use of land or buildings and its compliance with the applicable Official Community Plan/District Plan and Zoning Bylaw.  

A building permit is separate from a development permit. A building permit refers to building construction and compliance with the National Building Code and is governed by the RM Building Bylaw.  

Yes.  The following are exempt from requiring a development permit:

•  Agricultural operations excluding intensive agriculture, intensive horticulture and intensive livestock; 
• The construction placement of a temporary building, the sole purpose of which is incidental to the erection or alteration of a building for which a building permit has been granted;
• The erection of any fence, wall or gate;
• Accessory buildings and structures less than 9.3 m2 in area
• The erection of a single residence wind turbine, satellite dish, television antennae or radio antennae; and
• Internal alterations and maintenance to a residential building, provided that the use, building footprint or intensity of use of the building including the number of dwelling units within the building or on the site does not change. (A building permit is still required for internal alterations)

Yes.  The cost depends on the development and if it is permitted or discretionary use.   

 Along with the required fee, every application for a development permit must include a site plan consisting of

• dimensions of parcel
• location of existing and/or proposed buildings
• proposed yards of front, rear and sides of buildings from the property line
• location of existing roads (municipal or highway)
• topographical features - water course, drainage ditches, sloughs, wooden areas 
• the method and location of on-site sewage disposal facilities 
• adjoining land uses

 Permitted Use 

Where a development proposal is identified in the zoning bylaw as a permitted use, the development officer for the municipality may be able to issue the permit provided all information and relevant forms are completed and attached.

Discretionary Use 

Where a development proposal is identified in the zoning bylaw as a discretionary use, the application must be advertised pursuant to section 55 of the Planning and Development Act  and presented to the council by the development officer at its next council meeting for review and decision. 

Neither Permitted nor Discretionary 

Where a development proposal is not identified in the zoning bylaw as a permitted or a discretionary use, the development is prohibited. 

In such a case, the proponent may apply to council for a zoning bylaw amendment. The proposed development is then presented to council at its next council meeting for review and decision following an approved amendment to the zoning bylaw. 

Yes.    You will require a permit from the RM and from the Ministry of Highways. 

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The majority of lake front property owners in Saskatchewan do NOT own the land right to the water’s edge. In fact, if a Municipal or Environmental Reserve doesn’t separate your lot from the lake, the land closest to the lake is usually the bank of the water body.

The area between the bank and the waters edge, often referred to as the beach, foreshore or lakeshore, belongs to the Crown. The bank can be defined a line where vegetation or soil changes due to the

water body.

It is a common misbelief that if Municipal and Environmental Reserves are “publicly” owned, then it is an adjacent landowner’s right to use this land for their private enjoyment. 

These reserves are separately titled parcels of land held in the name of the municipality or the Crown; created when the land is subdivided and are intended to provide recreation space or public access for all residents.

Unauthorized developments or use of reserve lands are a trespass on another person’s land.

Even though you are privileged to own property next to a lake, it does not entitle you to a view of the lake. 

If a treed reserve separates your lot from the lake, you do not have the right to cut down the trees without approval!  Nor may you undertake other forms of landscaping on the reserves without permits from the municipality and provincial authorities.

Beds and shores of lakes are Crown owned public land for all to use.

You cannot prevent the public from using the shore or a municipal reserve in front of your cottage. Seasonal piers and boat lifts located on a lake bed without a permit are legally a trespass on Crown land.

Any structure left on public land without authority could be assumed by the public as an invitation for use. Although a private structure, it would be difficult for a cottager to initiate a civil action against someone else for using their pier, dock, or any other improvements.

NOTE: The owner of such a structure is liable for them and their use by others.

Fertilizers promote grass growth which increases maintenance.

Avoid applying fertilizers, but particularly before a rain. The fertilizer washes into the lake and promotes algae growth. 

Maintain your yard with as much natural vegetation as possible (it doesn’t need to look wild). Landscape your lot based on your recreational needs. Most people don’t need or use 1000 square feet of lawn. A sitting and play area with a good path to the reserve area should provide enough weekend work.

Many people consider aquatic plants like cattails and reeds as "weeds" and a nuisance. These plants, play an important role in maintaining the health of lakes. They stabilize the bed and shore, reduce soil movement and erosion, and are important habitat areas for fish, waterfowl and other wildlife. Aquatic plants also make use of nutrients in lakes that would otherwise contribute to unwanted algae growth. 

Too much growth, however, may limit boat access to open water.  In such cases, a boat lane may be cut through heavy stands of aquatic plants, but only if an approval is obtained from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and, if affecting a reserve, from the Municipality.