Zoning

Neighbourhood Residential 1 (N-R1) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 2

Purpose:

• Provide low-density neighbourhoods where low-rise built forms are the predominant dwelling types
• Encourage opportunities for low-density, sensitive intensification
• Promote contextual infill that preserves unique neighbourhood character and supports contemporary design

Neighbourhood Residential 2 (N-R2) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 2

Purpose:

• Provide low- and medium-density sites where low-rise, multiple-unit built forms are the predominant dwelling types
• Encourage opportunities for growth and transition from low- to medium-density
• Facilitate transition between varying levels of density

Neighbourhood Residential 3 (N-R3) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 2

Purpose:

• Provide medium-density sites where mid-rise, multiple-unit built forms are the predominant dwelling types
• Encourage urban living opportunities on edges of neighbourhoods, along major streets, and near hubs of activity
• Support intensification near urban villages and corridors, public amenities, transportation routes, and transit services

Neighbourhood Residential 4 (N-R4) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 2

Purpose:

• Encourage transformative growth and dense urban living in strategic locations to create critical mass in the City Centre, urban villages, and intensification areas
• Allow compatible and complementary at-grade commercial uses developed in conjunction with high-rise apartments
• Recognize the unique context of a site and encourage development to the highest and best use

Planned Residential Community Special Use (SU-PRC) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 5

Purpose:

• Provide comprehensively planned communities that may include private common amenities and low-impact non-residential uses that improve liveability

Urban Core (UC) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 4

Propose:

• Provide dense urban living opportunities within a hub of activity including a mix of commercial, institutional, entertainment, cultural, and social service uses
• Support the South Saskatchewan River as an anchor of the Downtown through integrated and contiguous public space
• Promote walkability and multi-modal transportation design and infrastructure

Urban Villages and Corridors (UVC) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 3

Propose:

• Provide a mix of small- to regional-scale commercial and institutional uses within a variety of urban contexts
• Support high-density residential and mixed-use development that creates urban living opportunities along major streets and intersections
• Encourage intensification of underutilized sites that takes advantage of anchors for development

Neighbourhood Commercial 1 (N-C1) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 2

Propose:

• Provide low-impact, commercial amenities embedded within neighbourhoods
• Support innovative development forms including residential repurposes, and small-scale businesses that serve the needs of neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood Commercial 2 (N-C2) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 2

Propose:

• Provide commercial uses within a range of development contexts, scales, and intensities on edges of neighbourhoods and along major streets
• Support clustering of commercial uses to create mixed-use urban villages that serve several neighbourhoods
• Encourage development of underutilized sites that recognizes highest and best use

Regional Commercial Special Use (SU-RC) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 5

Propose:

• Provide a wide range of vehicle-oriented development adjacent to highway and other major transportation routes with convenient access for residents and the travelling public
• Capitalize on proximity to major transportation corridors, high visibility, adjacent anchor development, and opportunities for development of vacant and underutilized land
• Support a variety of large-format commercial development, sports and entertainment uses, and compatible low-impact light industrial uses

Light/Medium Industrial (I-LM) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 6

Propose:

• Provide employment lands for a variety of industrial uses and other compatible businesses
• Facilitate transition between land uses and mitigation of impacts to adjacent non-industrial districts
• Ensure that development does not conflict with the operations of existing heavy industrial uses and the future development of the I-H District

Heavy Industrial (I-H) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 6

Propose:

• Provide land for heavy industrial uses that are incompatible with urban development due to their appearance, scale, or other impacts
• Strategically locate industrial development that may include high-risk operations, dangerous substances, hazardous materials, noxious odours, hydrocarbon-based operations, emission of fine particulate matter, or other industrial effects
• Ensure that industrial development does not impact the safety, use, amenity, or enjoyment of any other district

Neighbourhood Parks, Recreation, and Schools (N-PRS) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 2

Propose:

• Provide open space and public amenities within neighbourhoods
• Strategically locate parks, recreation facilities, schools, and community centres as focal points within neighbourhoods
• Enable a multi-modal transportation network that facilitates alternative transportation, encourages passive and active recreation, and creates connectivity within the community

Regional Park Special Use (SU-RP) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 5

• Provide public land and amenities that promote Echo Dale Regional Park as a recreation and cultural hub of activity for the City and region
• Support the enhancement of the events, programs, services, amenities, and other activities of Echo Dale Regional Park

Natural and Open Space (NOS) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 7

Propose:

• Protect, conserve, rehabilitate, enhance, and manage as needed publicly owned sensitive environmental areas in a manner that is environmentally responsible
• Provide low-impact public amenities for leisure, recreation, community, culture, and access to natural areas and open space

Semi-Public Special Use (SU-SP) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, section part 5

Propose:

• Provide land for Golf Courses, Campgrounds, Cemeteries, and all development associated with typical events, programs, services, amenities, and other on-site activities

Neighbourhood Community and Culture (N-CC) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 1

Propose:

• Provide low-impact, community- and culture-oriented amenities embedded within neighbourhoods
• Support the enhancement of neighbourhood living through the integration of uses that promote social cohesion, arts, and culture

Airport Special Use (SU-AIR) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 5

Propose:

• Provide operational land for the Medicine Hat Regional Airport, aviation-related uses, and associated airside development

Infrastructure Special Use (SU-INF) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 5

Propose:

• Provide land, buildings, structures, and systems of works, plant, equipment, and other related components used for the production, transmission, delivery, or furnishing of a utility or service for public consumption, benefit, or use
• Strategically locate public services, infrastructure, and utilities in an efficient manner that minimizes impact to adjacent uses

Future Urban Development (FUD) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 8

Propose:

• Prohibit premature subdivision and development of land reserved for future urban growth consistent with the Municipal Development Plan, other statutory plans, and the Municipal Servicing Standards Manual
• Accommodate existing rural and agricultural activities in a manner that is compatible with surrounding urban areas

Direct Control Special Use (SU-DC) District

See Land Use Bylaw #4853, part 5

Propose:

• Allow Council to exercise particular control over the use and development of specific sites or buildings in circumstances where, in the opinion of Council:
• a proposed development does not fit into any other district,
• a site or building requires a unique approach to establishing parameters for development,
• a proposed development may result in high impacts to surrounding areas, or
• there is inadequate statutory policy guidance

Rezonings require the approval of City Council.

The rezoning of a property involves changing a portion of the Land Use Bylaw (Land Use Bylaw Amendment). An application is required. See How to apply, below.

A planned development of a greenfield area also requires amending the Land Use Bylaw, as future land uses must be redesignated to specific land parcels.

It's advisable to contact Planning & Development Services as a first step. A staff member can let you know of the likelihood of department support for the application, based on feasibility and potential impacts to the neighbouring properties. This is not an indication of the final decision of City Council, but it may provide you with a measure of guidance in whether you wish to move forward with your application.

The application fee for a Land Use Bylaw amendment (rezoning) varies depending on the type of amendment.

2026 rezoning fees:

• Typical rezoning: $5,000.00
• Intensification rezoning: $2,500.00
• Rezoning to Direct Control district: $7,500.00

We will contact you with the amount of your application fee and payment options once we have reviewed your application.

If the application for rezoning is refused by City Council, the application fee is non-refundable.

For a complete list of fees for Planning & Development Services, visit:

Building, Development and Business Fees

To rezone a parcel (or parcels) of land, submit your request by applying for a Land Use Bylaw Amendment.

Apply online

For questions, contact Planning & Development Services
Ph. (403) 529-8374

Approximately 3 months.

While there is no official time limit to rezone a property, it will take approximately 3 months from application submittal to City Council decision, depending upon the complexity of the application.

If the rezoning application is approved, you must still apply for a Development Permit to approve any new land use, and apply for a Building Permit to approve any new construction.