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1. Do you accept cats?

We do not accept cats please contact Northern Lights Regional Humane Society for assistance with cats.

2. What do I do if I have lost or found a dog?

Call 780-926-2201 to report a lost or found dog. If Peace Officers are not on duty, be advised that Public Works will only pick up a dog if it is in your custody. Public Works will not respond to dogs on the loose.

3. When do I have to renew my Dog licence?

You are required to renew your dog licence at the beginning of each year. 

4. How many dogs can I have on my property?

You can have up to four dogs, the fourth dog will be an additional $100 to register. 

5. Where can I purchase a dog licence?

You can purchase a dog licence at the town hall. Spayed and neutered dogs cost $10 and if your dog is not spayed or neutered it will cost $30 per dog. For more information please call (780)926-2201.

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1. I am building a deck. Do I need a permit?

Yes, if the deck is 2 feet or more off the ground.

2. I am moving in a mobile home. Do I need a permit?

Yes. Your home was built off-site to a standard, however, the on-site work, such as foundation/or blocking, still requires a permit.

3. I require a new residential furnace. Do I require a permit?

If you have to make alterations to your gas piping and/or venting, you will be required to get a permit.

4. If I don’t obtain a permit, what happens?

You may be subject to fines, doubled permit costs, or a stop order may be issued halting all work.

5. Why bother getting a permit?

Getting permits and calling for inspections ensures work is done properly. Our Examiners can determine if something does not meet Code prior to construction, and it is much easier to correct a problem on paper than it is after it is constructed. Our Field Inspectors often find problems that, if left uncorrected, can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the future. An example of this might be additions (including sun rooms & garages) that are not on proper foundations. These may settle, tearing away from the home, causing damage to the siding and creating leaks.

If a problem should arise, such as an accident due to improper wiring, gas-fitting or structural integrity, and the proper permits were not in place, the insurance company may not cover the accident. Even if you have someone else do the work, as the homeowner, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that the proper permits are in place.

Permits and inspections are a preventative measure now, at a small cost, to avoid major problems in the future. Purchasing permits and inspections is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

6. What type of installations require permits?

The following are examples of installations that require permits:

• Additions
• Basement development
• Commercial projects
• Garages
• Multi family dwellings
• New gas lines
• New plumbing work
• New wiring
• Renovations
• Single family dwellings
  

7. What services do I get with my permit?

Services will include, but are not limited to, a Plan review and Report, Technical Advice, Site Inspections and Reports as well as a final Status Report.

8. How long are my permits valid?

Permits are valid for one year, provided the project is not suspended for more than 120 days and work has commenced within 90 days of the permit issued.

9. Who should apply for the permits: me or my contractor?

If you have hired contractors to do the work, they are responsible to obtain the permits. If you are doing the work, you should obtain the permit provided you are the owner and live at the property (some restrictions may apply).

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1. When is the next council meeting?

Council Meetings are held every second and fourth Monday of the month, with the exceptions of July, August and December. The current Regular Council Meeting schedule can be found here.

2. How can I pay my Town Utility Bill?

Please see Payment Methods.

3. When are Property taxes due?

Property taxes are typically due on June 28. Payment can be made via online banking, cash, debit card, cheque, wire transfer or electronic funds transfer. Mailed payments must be post-marked on or before June 28, to be considered on time. If you have not received your Tax Notice or if you have any questions, please contact the Taxation Department at 780-821-4006 or email taxes@highlevel.ca If you are on the Pre-authorized Payment Plan for property taxes, your payments will continue as normal.

4. What is the contact information for the Peace or Bylaw Officer?

You can view the Peace or Bylaw officers contact information here. 

5. Do I need a fire permit to have a fire pit in my yard?

Yes you do! 

You can obtain a fire permit by coming into the Town Hall and speaking with the front desk staff. 

Before you can get a permit you must;

- Be the owner of the property or have written permission from the landlord.

-  If you are building the fire pit you must contact Alberta One Call (1-800-242-3447) and have the utility locates done in your yard to insure the fire pit is not over any important lines. 

- Once the previous steps are complete you can fill out the fire permit application and pay the $10 fee. 

- Once the application is filled out and payment is received a Bylaw Officer will inspect your property and give you the complete permit. 

If you have any questions feel free to contact the Town Office at 780-926-2201 or visit the How to Apply for a Fire Permit Page. 

6. Who do I contact if I notice a street light is out?

Please contact ATCO Electric and let them know where the street lamp is located. 

ATCO's  phone number is 1-800-668-2248

7. Who do I contact to rent the Arena Ice Rink , Curling Rink, or the Upstairs of the arena?

You can contact Jena Clarke 780-821-4026.

8. How Many Garbage Bins can I have?

There is a limit of Four (4) Garbage receptacles per household. 

the weekly Garbage pick up is paid for each month on your utility bill as a waste collection fee. The waste collection fee includes the contract fee charged weekly for garbage pickup on Thursdays and (one) monthly voucher to dispose a maximum of (250 kilograms) of waste at the landfill. 

9. Can I put my yard waste at the curb to be picked up with my household waste.

Yes! Yard waste; such as leaves and grass must be stored in clear or biodegradable bags and can be placed at the curb with your garbage. 

Yard waste bags do not count as one of your 4 bins and there is no limit to how many bags you may have at the curb. 

10. What day is garbage pick up day?

Garbage pick up day is every Thursday, you can have up to 4 bins. Bins should be placed at the curb Thursday morning and removed after they have been emptied. Bins must have proper covers. If you have any questions please contact the town office or view the Town Garbage Bylaw.

11. Who do I contact to have my water shut off in an Emergency?

If you have an after-hours emergency requiring the main water service CC valve on your property to be shut off, please phone the 24/7 Public Works on-call phone at 780-841-1232. Please note that an after-hours callout fee of $100.00 – plus the regular $50.00 water turn-on or shutoff fee – will be added to your next Town utilities bill.

To request non-emergency shutoff or turn-on of your main water service CC valve, contact the Utilities Department at 780-821-4006 or utilities@highlevel.ca at least one business day before your desired shutoff/turn-on date. The regular $50.00 water turn-on or shutoff fee will be added to your next Town utilities bill.

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1. What kinds of development do not require a permit?

A development permit is not required for the following:

• Construction and maintenance of that part of a public utility located in, on, over or under a public roadway, public utility right-of-way or public utility lot
• The use of a building or a part of it in connection with a federal, provincial, municipal, or school election, referendum or census
• Routine maintenance of and repairs to a building not involving any structural changes
• Construction of a garden shed or playhouse less than 13 square meters in floor area if the development complies with the Land Use Bylaw.
• In a residential district, construction of an unenclosed deck to a maximum of 0.6 meters above finished grade, a patio, a fire pit, and a barbeque
• Installation of a satellite dish antenna if the development complies with this Bylaw and it is not located in a front yard or exterior side yard and not more than 4 meters above finished grade
• Construction of a fence less than 2 meters in height above finished grade in rear and side yards and no more than 1 meter in front yards

2. When do I need a compliance certificate?

The registered owner, or a person with a legal or equitable interest in a site, may apply, upon payment of such fee as may be prescribed by Council from time to time, to the Development Authority for a Compliance Certificate.

The applicant for a Compliance Certificate shall submit an original Real Property Report for the site. Any original Real Property Report that is dated for a period of more than 90 days from the date of the application must be submitted with a Statutory Declaration.

The Compliance Certificate shall only cover those buildings or parts thereof, shown of the Real Property Report as provided by the applicant.

3. What do I have to consider when starting a home occupation?

A home occupation is defined as an accessory development in a dwelling or unit, or its garage, for a business operated by a permanent resident of the dwelling unit. The business being incidental and secondary to the use of the building for dwelling purposes and does not change the essential residential character or appearance of such building. Home Occupations are discretionary uses and require the completion of a Development Permit Application (PDF).

4. I want to develop my basement. Is there anything I should know before I start?

Development and building permits will be required prior to construction. All basement development and use must conform to the Town of High Level Land Use Bylaw.

Application Procedure: You will have to submit the following information upon application:

1. A completed development application form
2.  A clear, concise drawing on 8.5 by 11-inch paper that identifies the location, size and proposed use for all the rooms in the basement
3. Details on the type of materials used
4. Location of utilities and stairs
5. All required fees

5. I’m building a deck. What should I know?

A deck shall:

• Meet the required front yard setback of the principal building
• Be located at least 1 meter from the side property line
• Be located at least 3 meter from the rear property line

6. What are the regulations for the fence building?

Regulations are as follows:

• No permit is required
• A fence in or around the front yard must not exceed 1meter in height
• A fence in or around side and rear yards must not exceed 2 meters in height
• No fence is permitted in the front or side yard of a corner lot if, in the opinion of the development authority, the fence will block or impede traffic sight lines
• Fences in industrial districts shall not exceed 2m unless otherwise approved by the development authority
  

7. What should I know before I start building a home?

A development permit and building permit are required for the construction of a house. A development permit is authorization by planning services that your application for home construction conforms with the regulations of the Land Use Bylaw. When submitting a Development Permit application, the following steps are required:

1. Fill out the Development and Building Permit Application forms.
2. Provide 2 copies of a site plan showing:
   1. North arrow
   2. Scale of plan
   3. Fully dimensional parcel boundaries
   4. Dimensions of the proposed and existing developments.
   5. Distances of the proposed and existing developments measured perpendicular from the property lines.
   6. Existing easements
   7. Proposed grade and drainage of the property
3. Provide 2 sets of detailed construction plans showing:
   1. Foundation plan
   2. Elevation plans (all four sides)
   3. Floor plans
   4. Building sections
   5. Types of materials used
   6. A certified copy of the title fee
   7. Required application fees

Renovations may require a building permit depending on the scope of the project.

8. What fees are associated with development?

Development fees range from $65 to $200 depending on the location of the property. Building fees are fees based on $6 per $1,000 of construction value. Plumbing, gas and electrical fees vary.

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1. How do I make a Report?

Make a report by telephone at 780-926-2201, or in person at the Town Office.

2. Who can I call after hours?

If it is an emergency please call 911. For Bylaw related inquires please call 780-821-4004. For all other inquiries please call 780-926-2201.