Development FAQs

What is a building grade certificate used for and how do I get a copy for my lot?

A building grade certificate is a drawing that is issued to the contractors/developers at the time a Building Permit is issued. This drawing provides lot dimensions, service locations, service elevations, sidewalk and lane elevations and landscape grading information. This information is used by the contractor/developer to ensure that building and site grades are set appropriately so that the house has a proper gravity sanitary hook-up and that proper drainage is maintained on the lot. Charges for this certificate are tied to the Building Permit Application.

A copy can be obtained by contacting the Engineering Services department at 403-342-8158.

Where do I call if I want to know the size of my lot?

The dimensions of all lots located in The City are available at no cost through the Engineering Customer Service Section at 403-342-8161. Lot area calculations can be obtained by contacting the Revenue and Assessment department.

I am purchasing a home and have received a Real Property Report that states that there is an encroachment on to City property. What should I do?

In most cases, where the encroachment is small, The City may allow the encroachment to remain by having the owner enter into an License and Encroachment Agreement. For more information about this agreement, please contact the Land and Economic Development department. 

I am purchasing a home and have received a Real Property Report that states that there is an encroachment on to a City Utility Right of Way that crosses the property. What should I do?

In most cases, where the encroachment is small, The City may allow the encroachment to remain by having the owner enter into an Utility Right of Way Encroachment Agreement. For more information about this agreement, please contact the Engineering Services Department Customer Service Section.

I want to build a fence or garage but I've been told I have a utility right of way/easement on my property. What is it and how can I find out its size?

A utility right of way is a registered easement on private land that allows The City and various utility companies the right to access the utilities or services that are commonly buried within the right of way. Permanent structures are not permitted to be built within a utility right of way. For a clearer definition and to determine whether your property has a right of way or to find out its width, contact the Engineering Customer Service Section at 403-342-8161. Please have your civic address and/or your legal description handy.

I would like to find out the width of the boulevard (strip of City property) in front of and/or on the side of my lot. Who can provide me with this information?

The boulevard width can be determined by contacting the Engineering Customer Service Section at 403-342-8161. Please have you civic address handy.

Are there special requirements or regulations for drainage on my property? If so, what are they?

All drainage requirements for your lot are shown on your Building Grade Certificate. To obtain a Building Grade Certificate please contact Engineering Customer Service at 403-342-8161.

There might be special surface drainage requirements if you are located near the top of an escarpment. If you are worried about your lot grading, please contact the Parks & Public Works department.

All property owners have to ensure that they are not directing water onto a neighbours' property. Depending on the size of the property, water can be drained directly to the road/lane; or catch basins might be required to be installed on site. Roof drainage has to be directed by downspouts to splash pads and can't drain directly into the City's storm or sanitary system.

How do I get a new sanitary, storm or water service installed?

Contact the Engineering Services department Customer Service Section at 403-342-8161. Costs vary depending on location, size of services and the time of year. The City does not allow private contractors to install services from the street to property line.

Who do I call to find out where the water, sanitary and storm services are coming into my property?

For water, sanitary and storm services, call the Engineering Services department Customer Service Section at 403-342-8161. For gas, cable, or electrical services call Alberta One Call at 1-800-242-3447.

How often would a stormwater detention pond fill with water? (e.g. Eastview Estates, Devonshire, Lancaster Green, Aspen Ridge)

Stormwater ponds are part of the storm drainage system in your neighbourhood. Their job is to temporarily store water during periods of heavy rainfall. Some of these ponds are designated to be "wet ponds" while others are designated as "dry ponds." The difference between the two types is that wet ponds always hold some water (Anders on the Lake) and dry ponds are typically dry 95 per cent of the time.

What is a building grade certificate used for and how do I get a copy for my lot?

A building grade certificate is a drawing that is issued to the contractors/developers at the time a Building Permit is issued. This drawing provides lot dimensions, service locations, service elevations, sidewalk and lane elevations and landscape grading information. This information is used by the contractor/developer to ensure that building and site grades are set appropriately so that the house has a proper gravity sanitary hook-up and that proper drainage is maintained on the lot. Charges for this certificate are tied to the Building Permit Application.

A copy can be obtained by contacting the Engineering Customer Service Section at 403-342-8161.

Where do I call if I want to know the size of my lot?

The dimensions of all lots located in The City are available at no cost through the Engineering Services department at 403-342-8158 or via email at engineering@reddeer.ca. Lot area calculations can be obtained by contacting the Revenue and Assessment department.

I am purchasing a home and have received a Real Property Report that states that there is an encroachment on to City property. What should I do?

In most cases, where the encroachment is small, The City may allow the encroachment to remain by having the owner enter into an License and Encroachment Agreement. For more information about this agreement, please contact the Land and Economic Development department. 

I am purchasing a home and have received a Real Property Report that states that there is an encroachment on to a City Utility Right of Way that crosses the property. What should I do?

In most cases, where the encroachment is small, The City may allow the encroachment to remain by having the owner enter into an Utility Right of Way Encroachment Agreement. For more information about this agreement, please contact the Engineering Services department at 403-342-8158.

I want to build a fence or garage but I've been told I have a utility right of way/easement on my property. What is it and how can I find out its size?

A utility right of way is a registered easement on private land that allows The City and various utility companies the right to access the utilities or services that are commonly buried within the right of way. Permanent structures are not permitted to be built within a utility right of way. For a clearer definition and to determine whether your property has a right of way or to find out its width, contact the Engineering Services department at 403-342-8158. Please have your civic address and/or your legal description handy.

I would like to find out the width of the boulevard (strip of City property) in front of and/or on the side of my lot. Who can provide me with this information?

The boulevard width can be determined by contacting the Engineering Services department at 403-342-8158 or via email at engineering@reddeer.ca. Please have you civic address handy.

Are there special requirements or regulations for drainage on my property? If so, what are they?

All drainage requirements for your lot are shown on your Building Grade Certificate. To obtain a Building Grade Certificate please contact the Engineering Services department at 403-342-8158.

There might be special surface drainage requirements if you are located near the top of an escarpment. If you are worried about your lot grading, please contact the Parks & Public Works department.

All property owners have to ensure that they are not directing water onto a neighbours' property. Depending on the size of the property, water can be drained directly to the road/lane; or catch basins might be required to be installed on site. Roof drainage has to be directed by downspouts to splash pads and can't drain directly into the City's storm or sanitary system.

How do I get a new sanitary, storm or water service installed?

Contact the Engineering Services department at 403-342-8158. Costs vary depending on location, size of services and the time of year. The City does not allow private contractors to install services from the street to property line.

Who do I call to find out where the water, sanitary and storm services are coming into my property?

For water, sanitary and storm services, call the Engineering Services department at 403-342-8158. For gas, cable, or electrical services call Alberta One Call at 1-800-242-3447.

How often would a stormwater detention pond fill with water? (e.g. Eastview Estates, Devonshire, Lancaster Green, Aspen Ridge)

Stormwater ponds are part of the storm drainage system in your neighbourhood. Their job is to temporarily store water during periods of heavy rainfall. Some of these ponds are designated to be "wet ponds" while others are designated as "dry ponds." The difference between the two types is that wet ponds always hold some water (Anders on the Lake) and dry ponds are typically dry 95 per cent of the time.