Undeveloped Road Closures & Allowances

Details on how residents adjacent to road allowance can access the land for personal use:

1. For Grazing, Cultivation uses
2. For permanent consolidation, closure and purchase

Grazing, Cultivation or Access Licenses for Undeveloped Road Allowances

The registered owner or occupant of land located immediately adjacent to an undeveloped County road allowance or party having a beneficial interest in the lands adjacent to the undeveloped County road allowance are eligible to apply for grazing, cultivation or existing access licenses by contacting County Road Operations.  

Applicant to submit the following:

1. Road License Application Form
2. A current copy of the owner’s certificate of title (searched within 30 days prior to the date of application).
3. The appropriate non-refundable application fee as defined in the most recent version of the Master Rates Bylaw found here.
4. If the owner of the land adjacent to the road allowance is not the applicant, a letter from the owner authorizing an applicant to act on their behalf is required.

Application Process

1. Application: The application form is submitted with the associated non-refundable application fee to the Road Operations department via Questions@rockyview.ca.
2. Evaluation of Application: Once the application form and non-refundable fee is received, both a desktop and field assessment are completed to document the existing conditions of the undeveloped road allowance.
3. Local Circulation: Landowners within 800 metres of the undeveloped road allowance will receive a circulation package advising them of the application. The circulation period is 30 days, and allows landowners to ask questions, give support or oppose the application.
4. Completion: Upon completion of the circulation, any comments, queries, or concerns are evaluated. If no reasonable concerns are incurred, the license agreement will be either e-mailed or two (2) copies mailed to the applicant. The applicant reviews the document, printing two (2) copies with each page to be initialed on the bottom and wet-ink signatures from the applicant. Both copies are to be returned to the County for County endorsement. One (1) fully executed copy will be returned to the license agreement holder.
5. Annual Fees: An invoice with the annual fees will be sent to the license holder. Annual fees are calculated on a per acre per year basis. Annual fee information can be found in the most recent version of the Master Rates Bylaw.
6. The maximum duration for the license agreements is two consecutive 5-year terms after which reapplication is required.

For questions reach out to questions@rockyview.ca or call 403-230-1401.

For your information:

The license holder has non-exclusive use of the undeveloped road allowance and shall allow pedestrian traffic and/or use by farm equipment on adjacent lands.

Cultivation means the growing and harvesting of agricultural crops to be harvested for food, fiber or livestock feed, not including cannabis cultivation or cannabis processing.

Existing Access means an existing access road, driveway, or trail that: does not meet the County’s Servicing Standards; has been constructed in an undeveloped road allowance; has been constructed by the landowner or former landowner whose lands border the undeveloped road allowance; has been constructed with or without the County’s prior approval; is being used by the current landowner to access their lands that border the undeveloped road allowance; and has been constructed prior to the implementation of the County’s Road Licensing Bylaw C-8316-2022, dated January 10, 2023.

Grazing means the feeding on living plants by livestock including horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry.

Undeveloped County road allowance means any land located in Rocky View County dedicated as a road right-of-way under the direction, control and management of Rocky View County that has not been fully developed and is not required for vehicular traffic.

Permanent Consolidation, Closure and Purchase of Road Allowances

The Municipal Government Act mandates the process for the closure and consolidation of undeveloped road allowances and lanes.

Anyone interested in applying for legal road closure should view the full Application Requirements and Road Closure Process (PDF), and submit the following:

• Road Closure Application Form (PDF)
• A current copy of the owner's certificate of title (searched within 30 days prior to the date of application)
• The appropriate application fee as defined in the Master Rates Bylaw (PDF).
• If the owner of the land adjacent to the road allowance is not the applicant, a letter from the owner authorizing an applicant to act on their behalf is also required.

Undeveloped Road Allowances

Road allowance is land where a public road could be constructed if the need arises. They are owned by the Province of Alberta, but under the care and control of municipalities. Occasionally, road allowances are on land unsuitable for road construction due to topographical or environmental constraints. Others have never been fully developed for vehicular travel.

From time-to-time, adjacent landowners may make a request for the County to close an undeveloped road allowance for consolidation into their lands. An application to the County for a Road Allowance Purchase must then be made.

Road Allowance Purchase Process

1. Pre-application consultation: Applicants are recommended to schedule a pre-application meeting with Engineering Services at 403.230.1401.
2. Application submitted: The application is submitted with the necessary forms, fees, and supporting information which varies depending on the project. The applicant must be adjacent to road allowance or road plan.
3. Evaluation of application: Engineering Services reviews the application for missing information, evaluates the impact on adjacent properties, considers comments made from circulation to other agencies, and assesses the project’s compliance with the County’s Land Use Bylaw.
4. A Public Hearing date is set: The public hearing date is advertised in the local newspaper for a 14-day period to allow for public comment or concerns.
5. Public Hearing is held: it is suggested that the applicant attend in order to answer any questions that Council may have.
6. Local approval or denial: If Council approves the application, the accompanying bylaw is given first reading. The file is then forwarded to Alberta Transportation. If approved, the file is forwarded to Edmonton for Ministerial approval.
7. Ministerial approval or denial: If the Minister approved the road allowance for purchase bylaw, the bylaw must then go back to Council for second and third readings.
8. Completion: A final fee is paid to the County plus the cost of the purchases land (to be determined by Council - market value) is to be paid. The landowner hires a surveyor to survey the purchased land to be consolidated with their title. The surveyor then provides the County with a copy of the survey before transfer documentation is completed by the County.

For questions reach out to development@rockyview.ca.