Regulations for new dwellings or additions in Sherwood Park and Rural Hamlets. Includes R1A, R1B, R1C, RE, RM, and RH districts.

Is a permit required?

A development permit is required for all new dwellings and additions to dwellings. Additions include covered decks, sunrooms, attached garages, etc.

A building permit is required for all new dwellings and additions to dwellings. Additions include covered decks, sunrooms, attached garages, etc.

Regulations and setbacks from property lines

* The zoning of a property will vary depending on your location. Please contact Planning and Development Services at 780-464-8080 to confirm the zoning of your property.

Single Detached Residential A (R1A) and Hamlet (RH)

• Front yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 6.0 m (19.7 ft.)
• Rear yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 7.5 m (24.6 ft.)
  • On a corner lot, the minimum setback is 5.5 m (18.0 ft.)
• Side yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 1.5 m (4.9 ft.)
  • The minimum setback is 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) for one side yard where there is no direct vehicular access to the rear yard or to an attached garage
  • On a corner lot, the minimum side yard setback is 4.0 m (13.1 ft.) for the side yard abutting a road
• Maximum height
  • The maximum height for all dwellings and additions is 10 m (32.8 ft.)
• Maximum site coverage
  • The maximum total site coverage of all buildings on property is 40%

Single Detached Residential B (R1B)

• Front yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 6.0 m (19.7 ft.)
• Rear yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 7.5 m (24.6 ft.)
  • On a corner lot the minimum setback is 5.5 m (18.0 ft.)
• Side yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 1.2 m (3.9 ft.)
  • The minimum setback is 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) for one side yard where there is no direct vehicular access to the rear yard or to an attached garage
  • On a corner lot the minimum setback is 4.0 m (13.1 ft.) for the side yard abutting a road
• Maximum height
  • The maximum height for all dwellings and additions is 9.1 m (29.9 ft.)
• Maximum site coverage
  • The maximum total site coverage of all buildings on the property is 40%

Single Detached Residential C (R1C)

• Front yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 6.0 m 919.7 ft.)
  • The minimum setback is 4.5 m (14.8 ft.) where vehicular access is from a back lane
• Rear yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 7.5 m (24.6 ft.)
  • On a corner lot, the minimum setback is 5.5 m (18.0 ft.)
• Side yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 1.2 m (3.9 ft.)
  • The minimum setback is is 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) for one side yard where there is no direct vehicular access to the rear yard or to an attached garage
  • On a corner lot, the minimum setback is 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) for the side yard abutting a road.
• Maximum height
  • The maximum height of all dwellings and additions is 9.1 m (29.9 ft.)
• Maximum site coverage
  • The maximum total site coverage of all buildings is 42.5%

Estate Residential (RE)

• Front yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 7.0 m (23.0 ft.)
• Rear yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 10.0 m (32.8 ft.)
• Side yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 4.0 m (13.1 ft.)
  • On a corner lot the minimum setback i s7.0 m (23.0 ft.) for the side yard abutting a road.
• Maximum height
  • The maximum height for all dwelling and additions is 10.0 m (32.8 ft.)
• Maximum site coverage
  • The maximum total site coverage of all buildings on property is 40%

Manufactured Home (RM)

• Front yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 3.0 m (9.8 ft.)
• Rear yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 3.0 m (9.8 ft.)
• Side yard setback
  • The minimum setback is 1.2 m (3.9 ft.) with no door and 1.5 m (4.9 ft.) with door on side of dwelling
  • On a corner lot, the minimum setback is 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) for the side yard abutting a road
• Maximum height
  • The maximum height of all dwellings and additions is the lesser of 6.0 m (19.7 ft.) or 1 storey
• Maximum site coverage
  • The maximum total site coverage of all buildings on the property is 42.5%

Foundation information

• The following foundations are not required to be designed by a professional engineer or registered architect:
  • Full concrete foundation.
  • 4 ft. concrete frost wall on a strip footing.
  • 4 ft. pier foundation on a spread footing.
• The following foundations are required to be designed by a professional engineer or registered architect:
  • Concrete pile and grade beam systems
  • Concrete piles
  • Screw piles
  • Preserved wood foundation
  • Shallow foundations (i.e. slab on grade)
  • ICF - Insulated Concrete Forms (may require engineering if no CCMC approval is provided)

Submit the following to Planning and Development Services

• A completed Development permit application form
• A completed Building permit application form
• 3 (three) copies of a site plan prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor for all new houses (for additions, a site plan prepared by the applicant may be accepted subject to verification of measurements by an existing survey or real property report). The following information must be included:
  • All structures on the property and the proposed development
  • Distances to the property lines from the proposed development
  • Dimensions of the property
  • Dimensions of the proposed development (including height from grade to roof and midpoint, as well as roof pitch)
  • Easements and utility rights-of-way
  • North arrow
•  3 (three) complete sets of construction drawings. The drawings must be printed to scale and include the following:
  • Elevation drawings of the front, rear, and two sides of the building including dimensions of openings (ie. windows and doors)
  • Floor plans for all developed floors, including area of each floor (ie. square footage) and labelled rooms.
  • A structural cross-section with specifications
  • A foundation plan
  • Specifications/layouts for any engineered products, such as trusses, beams, floor systems, etc.
• A completed  abandoned well declaration form (38.1 KB)
• An Alberta home owner warranty certificate
• Current copy of title (printed within the last 30 days)
• Home owners warranty
• Fees (see current fee schedule)

* A Development Officer or Safety Codes Officer may require additional information.

Printable brochure - Building an Accessory Structure (Urban & Hamlets) (320.1 KB)

More information: