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Agricultural Development

Agricultural Development

In the Agricultural district, development permits are required for:

Dwellings units
Intensive animal and intensive agricultural uses
Buildings directly associated with these uses
Farm buildings within the City and County of Wetaskiwin Intermunicipal Development plan
Discretionary uses under the Agricultural district

To know if your proposed development(s) are within the required district, you may access an online digital County map to view the entire County, including your specific property.

Types of Agricultural Development:

Intensive Agriculture - means agricultural uses which are intensified or specialized in nature. This use includes, but is not limited to, horse breeders and/or trainers, cow-calf operators, exotic animal breeders, greenhouses, market gardens, fruit farms, tree farms and horticulture operations.
Extensive Agriculture - means agricultural uses including but not limited to cultivation of grains, oilseeds, forage, pasture and/or grazing of cattle or other animals.

Confined Feeding Operation (CFO)

Confined Feeding Operations (CFO)

The Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) became effective January 1, 2002. The AOPA gives the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) the sole authority for regulating Confined Feeding Operations (CFOs). Therefore, the approval process for CFOs is the responsibility of the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) and is outside of the County’s jurisdiction.

For information on threshold numbers, manure management practices, applications and complaints contact the Natural Resources Conservation Board.

As part of the NRCB decision-making process for new or expanding operations, the Approvals Officer must take into consideration County policy and direction in the Municipal Development Plan (MDP). Further, the Municipal Government Act (MGA) requires the County to identify where new CFOs should locate. Please refer to the County’s MDP for policies related to CFOs and to view a map of locations where the County does not support CFOs.

Do I require a Permit for Ag buildings?

Development Not Requiring a Development Permit

An agricultural (farm) building does not require a development permit, if it meets the setback requirements of the zoning district the land is located and is not in the Agricultural/Intermunicipal Development Plan (A/ID) District around the City of Wetaskiwin.

Types of Agricultural (farm) buildings include but are not limited to:

Livestock Shelters
Barns and outbuildings storing agricultural products and farm equipment
Silos
Granaries
Fencing

Contact Superior Safety Codes for the required Safety Code Permits for your agricultural development.

Animal Units

The County regulates the number of animals allowed on a parcel. To view type of livestock and animal units, please visit Appendix A of the Land Use Bylaw.

Types of livestock include:

Livestock, Large - means but may not be restricted to, Cattle, Swine, Horses, Bison, Cervid, and Wild Boar.
Livestock, Medium - means, but may not be restricted to Goats, Sheep, Miniature Horses, Miniature Swine and Miniature Cattle.
Livestock, Small - means, but may not be restricted to, Poultry and Meat Rabbits.

Use the Animal Units Calculator to determine how many animals you are allowed on your property.

***Disclaimer: Please note that the Animal Unit Calculator will automatically download when accessed via Google Chrome. If using Microsoft Edge, please initiate the download by clicking the blue download button at the top of the Excel page. Also, note that the Animal Unit Calculator may have limited compatibility on mobile devices.

Frequently Asked Questions related to animal units.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Do I require a development permit for my Barn?

Except in the Agricultural/Intermunicipal Development Plan (A/ID) district, a development permit is not required for the following types of development so long as they conform to all other relevant provisions of this Bylaw:

extensive agriculture

Types of Agricultural (farm) buildings include but are not limited to:

Livestock Shelters
Barns and outbuildings storing agricultural products and farm equipment
Silos
Granaries

Planning and Development Applications

Where can I drill my water well?

Water well drilling activity is regulated in Alberta under the Water Act, the Water (Ministerial) Regulation (the Regulation) and the Directive for Water Wells and Ground Source Heat Exchange Systems (the Directive)
Drilling contractors must submit a drilling report for every well completed to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. The data from these records is maintained in the Alberta Water Well Information Database by the Groundwater Information Centre (780-427-2770).

Do I need a permit for a dugout?

When planning your dugout, please ensure you adhere to County of Wetaskiwin setbacks as identified in the Land Use Bylaw.

Alberta of Environment and Parks approvals may be required for the placing, constructing or filling in of a dugout, especially if any of the following could apply:

The dugout is located in a watercourse frequented by fish or in a lake or a wetland
That water is being diverted and pumped into the dugout
The dugout has a capacity greater than 2500 cubic meters in volume
The dugout is located in the same watercourse and parcel of land as an existing dugout Contact Alberta Environment and Parks, and they will confirm what approvals, if any may be needed

Dugouts may not be permitted for residential uses. For more information visit the Government of Alberta's Water Act: Dugout Fact Sheet.

Planning and Development Applications

What is an Off-Site Sewer Levy and why do I have to pay it?

Council passed Off-Site Bylaws 2007/38 and 2008/42, requiring any new or redevelopment of a structure that has plumbing, is required to pay a one-time Off-Site Sewer Levy Fee of $2,034.00 that stays with the property. This fee is designed to contribute to the capital costs associated with the expansion and upkeep of the Alder Flats and Mulhurst Lagoon infrastructure, ensuring it can effectively manage and process sewage. Payment of this levy is required before a Development Permit can be issued, with no exceptions.

The Off-Site Sewer Levy only applies to properties highlighted in red shown on the County map below.

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Agricultural Development