As the new Development Officer for the Rossburn Planning District, I would like to explain the role of the Planning District, and how its decisions and policies affect the residents, contractors, tradespeople and land owners in the area covered by the Planning District.

Most development activities on any land or on any building within the Planning District requires a permit, some with a cost and some with no cost. Please contact us to determine what permits, if any, are required. If a permit was required, but not obtained, or if activity starts before obtaining a permit, applicable fees will be double.

The Planning Act

The Planning Act (a Province of Manitoba Act) provides the framework for planning at the provincial, regional and local level. The goal of the various authorities is to guide sustainable land use and development in the province. The Planning Act provides authority for two or more municipalities to join to form a planning district. The planning district is then responsible for:

- Adoption, administration and enforcement of a development plan by-law for the planning district; and,

- Administration and enforcement of the zoning by-laws and building by-laws of its member municipalities (Town of Rossburn and R.M. of Rossburn).

The Rossburn Planning District is comprised of three members from each of the two municipalities and one Secretary-Treasurer. The role of the Board is to set policy and ensure that policy is being followed and enforced. The board delegates certain authorities to the Development Officer, such as approving building permits and collecting building permit fees.

Funding

Revenue generated by the collection of permit fees pays for a small percentage of the Planning Districts operating costs; the majority of funding comes from the participating municipalities through an annual grant.

Development and Building Permits

The Planning District has the authority to issue development and building permits and collect permit fees. Permits are utilized by a planning district to:

- Direct development in line with its goals and vision for the district,

- Ensure the safety of the public by verifying compliance of building standards through inspections of construction projects. Planning Districts and municipalities can face serious legal consequences for failure to enforce compliance of the various federal, provincial and municipal laws, acts and regulations. In the end, financial penalties and settlements and expensive legal proceedings are borne by the ratepayers,

- Ensure property assessments that are equitable to all property owners in the district.

Development permits are required for, but not limited to, the erection, construction, enlargement, structural alteration or placing of a building or structure, and the use or change of use of a lot or structure. There are several exceptions, which are listed in the Zoning By-Law.

Before Starting

Prior to starting a development or building project the owner (or the contractor on the owner’s behalf ) must obtain a development permit and a building permit from the Planning District. The Development Officer, once provided all relevant information, will decide whether the proposed project meets all development and zoning By-Law criteria.

Subdivisions, Conditional use and variance orders

Subdivision applications are available at our office, but are filed with the Province of Manitoba, Community Planning Services office in Dauphin. They are referred to council for approval or rejection, and conditions can be set by council or the Province. Conditional use permits and variance orders must be approved by Municipal Council.

Farm Buildings

Farm buildings, defined as a building solely used for agricultural purposes, are exempt from building permits. However, a development permit ($15.00) is required.

Plumbing Permits

An application is required for fixtures regulated by the Manitoba Plumbing Code.

Renovations

An inspection is necessary when a renovation is done that is structural in nature (i.e. changing a window, removing, moving or adding a wall) to ensure that building code requirements are met. Therefore a development permit and a building permit are required in these circumstances. If it is not clear whether or not permits are required, please ask.

Other Permits

Decks of certain size and construction, Ready to Move Homes, New Mobile/Modular Homes, Demolition, Sign (subject to size regulation), Solid Burning

Water & Wastewater

All systems must conform to the Environment Act and associated regulations. Registration with Manitoba Conservation is required before any work is carried out on an onsite wastewater management system. Registration forms are available at any Manitoba Conservation district office and the R.M. of Rossburn office. If your present system is not causing any environmental or public health problems, you don’t have to change it. If your system has failed or is defective, you must repair it or replace it with an approved system. You may also have to change the system if:

- More wastewater is generated as a result of cottage upgrading;

- You switch from seasonal to permanent residence; or

- Your system was inadequate to begin with.

All onsite wastewater management systems are subject to random inspections and failure to comply with regulations can result in significant fines.

For further information call: Kerry Lawless - Development Officer at 859-2762