Submit applications and inquiries to development@peaceriver.ca.
The Town Council of the Town of Peace River has established plans and policies, by bylaw and resolution to provide direction to the change and development of the community.
Municipal Development Plan (2010)
The Municipal Development Plan is the primary planning policy document of the Town of Peace River and provides a framework for all planning and development decisions.
Land Use Bylaw (Consolidated 2023)
The Land Use Bylaw is the “book of rules” for development of land and buildings in the Town of Peace River. The contents of the LUB follow the direction set by the Municipal Development Plan.
The Land Use Bylaw can be viewed online, or downloaded and viewed in Acrobat to take advantage of the bookmarks for easy reference, in it you will find:
- General Provisions and Definitions
- Administrative Sections
- General and Specific Land Use Provisions
- Land Use Districts
- Forms and Fees
- Maps: Overlays and District Map
The Town has three Intermunicipal Development Plans, one with each neighbouring rural municipality. The IDP provides a cooperative planning framework between the Town of Peace River and its rural neighbours, and applies to a defined area of land within both municipalities.
Offsite levies are charged on developing lands within the Town of Peace River, to ensure that the offsite impacts of these new developments are borne by the development. The levy rates are recalculated on a regular basis, based on the best information available to the Town, The rates are set via bylaw and administered by the Offsite Levy Policy. The offsite levy bylaw and rates were updated in 2021. Full information about the offsite levies can be found on the Off-site Levy page.
Please refer to both the bylaw and policies, if you have any questions please contact our Development Officer.
The Town of Peace River requires that an ASP be prepared in advance of the subdivision and development of new neighbourhoods and commercial areas. The Town currently has 11 Areas Structure Plans that guide development.
- Bylaw 1091 Norglen
- Bylaw 1228 Valleyview
- Bylaw 1312 Shaftsbury Terrace
- Bylaw 1315 Freeland [more info on this is available on the Westbrook Standards Page]
- Bylaw 1334 Shaftesbury Estates
- Bylaw 1356 River Front Estates
- Bylaw 1631 Westview & Bylaw 1956 Amendment to Westview ASP
- Bylaw 1839 St Germaine Creek & Bylaw 2013 Amendment to St. Germaine ASP [more info on this is available on the St. Germaine Creek Standards Page]
- Bylaw 1918 Peace Ridge
- Bylaw 1927 Peace View
- Bylaw 2104 Upper West Peace North ASP
The Building Permit Bylaw regulates the form, content and cost of building permits. The bylaw deals with matters related to building and lot development.
Currently the Town of Peace River utilizes an enhanced Taxi Pass program, however, in 2014 a study was completed that looked at other possibilities, including a bus system. The study followed a public input process with residents and is available to view or download.
Downtown Beautification Work Plan (2016)
Currently work is underway to enhance the aesthetic quality of Downtown Peace River. This initiative is being lead by the municipality, however, the Town’s ability to achieve this objective is constrained by its influence over the lands within the Downtown area. The overall objective of this plan is to enhance the downtown, making the area more attractive, inviting, functional and informative for residents and visitors alike. The plan includes a tentative budget and project prioritization. Implementation of the plan is subject to municipal funding and will proceed as the enabled by the annual budgeting process.
Enhancing Downtown Renewal & Tourism (2009)
In 2009 noted McGill University architecture professor, Avi, Friedman, visited Peace River for the purpose of completing a report on enhancing downtown. His report helps to provide guidance in planning and developing future downtown renewal efforts. Anyone considering doing business in downtown should take a look through the report to see the vision.
The General Municipal Servicing Standards (2009)
The General Municipal Servicing Standards (GMSS) are intended to provide specific guidelines to assist the Municipality and the Developer in the design, preparation and submission of plans and specifications for construction of municipal improvements and systems (roadways, water distribution systems, low-pressure/gravity sewer systems, storm water management facilities) that shall meet the servicing requirements for commercial, industrial and residential development within the Municipality.
The Parks and Trails Plan provide the Town with an action plan that guides the upgrading and development of new and existing parks and trails systems within the Town. The plan focuses on the Town’s playgrounds and trails.
This policy outlines how the Town or a private landowner may plant trees in boulevards and how the Town manages those trees.
Policy on Encroachment Agreements (2022)
This policy sets an annual fee for encroachment agreements that must be paid by a private property owner to the Town. An encroachment agreement provides written confirmation between the Town and a property owner that a structure that extends onto Town or public property may remain in place.
Municipal Heritage Inventory Project (2013)
The Municipal Heritage Inventory Project identifies major factors and processes that have shaped the built environment of the town to the present day. The project may provide important context to the development-related decisions where there may be impacts on the Town’s historic resources.