Town of Rocky Mountain House

1. Before you file an appeal, you should understand what the development or subdivision decision means and any conditions attached to the approval. You can:

1. Talk directly to the applicant to understand their intentions for the development or subdivision.
2.  Contact the development officer or subdivision authority and ask questions.

2. When you are ready to file an appeal of the development or subdivision decision, you will need to submit, in writing, your reasons for appealing the decision.

1. Keep your the information in your appeal factual.

3. Pay the Appeal Fee either:

1.  In person at the Town Office, 5116-50 Ave, Rocky Mountain House, Alta.  Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM; or
2. by sending a cheque to Box 1509, Rocky Mountain House, Alta., T4T 1B2 Attention SDAB Clerk

Appeal fees are set by the Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw. 2026 rates are as follows:

4. File your appeal in one of the following ways:

1. in person at the Town Office, 5116-50 Ave, Rocky Mountain House, Alta. Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Attention SDAB Clerk
2. by mail to Box 1509, Rocky Mountain House, Alta., T4T 1B2 Attention SDAB Clerk
3. by email to legislative@trmh.ca Attention SDAB Clerk

The Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) clerk will contact you to confirm receipt of your appeal and explain the process. 

A notice of hearing (containing the hearing date, time, location, and submission deadline) will be mailed to adjacent landowners informing them of the hearing. Additionally, a notice of hearing will be posted in the local newspaper and online at www.rockymtnhouse.com.

You and anyone directly or indirectly affected by the development or subdivision will have the opportunity to submit evidence, photographs, testimonials, etc. up to seven days prior to the hearing date.

This information will form part of the hearing package that will be distributed to the SDAB prior to the hearing, and be available for public inspection.

• You may self-represent at the hearing or decide to seek professional advice or have someone present your case. Ensure they are prepared to speak on your behalf.
• It is very important to understand the legislation the SDAB is governed by and its jurisdiction. Refer to Division 10 of the Municipal Government Act. 
• When presenting, have speaking notes that support your position, are clear and concise, and are not repetitive. Ensure you provide factual evidence relevant to your situation; do not present assumptions or personal opinions. 
• The SDAB does not consider precedent when making a decision. Each appeal is judged on its own merits.
• Be prepared to answer questions.
• Refer to your written submission, photographs, charts, etc.
• If adjacent landowners support the information you are presenting to the SDAB, ensure you have that in writing. Adjacent landowners may also attend and speak at the hearing.
• Refrain from communicating to any SDAB members about an appeal or a potential appeal prior to or after the hearing; doing so will disqualify them from participating in the hearing. SDAB members do not discuss appeal cases with the development or subdivision authorities before the hearing

• The hearing panel will consist of a minimum of 3 SDAB members.
• The Chair, who will begin the meeting, will provide an outline of the hearing process.
• All questions will be directed through the board chair.
• All parties are to be respectful of other presenters.
• If a presenter has new information to present to the board, the board will have to vote on whether to permit new evidence; there are no guarantees.
• The Development or Subdivision Authority will make a presentation first, after which there will be an opportunity for the SDAB to ask questions of clarification;
• The appellant will then make a presentation. Again, there will be an opportunity for the SDAB to ask questions of clarification;
• The applicant will then make a presentation. As before, there will be an opportunity for the SDAB to ask questions of clarification;
• The SDAB will then hear from those affected persons in the audience:
  1. First, those in favour of the appeal;
  2. Then those in the audience opposed to the appeal;
• The SDAB clerk will read into the record any written submissions received (from individuals who submitted comments beforehand);
• The hearing may recess for a few minutes (if deemed necessary by the board chair);
• Upon reconvening the SDAB may ask questions of clarification;
• Any person who has presented will then be given an opportunity to ask questions for clarification, through the chair, of other persons who have presented
• Brief summaries or closing comments will follow:
  1. First, the Development or Subdivision Authority will have an opportunity for closing comments;
  2. Then the applicant will have an opportunity for closing comments;
  3. Then the appellant will have an opportunity for closing comments;
• The hearing is then closed and the SDAB deliberates privately to discuss the appeal.
• The SDAB will send the decision and reasons within 15 days of the hearing to the parties and anyone who requested to receive the decision in writing.
• After the appeal is concluded and the hearing is closed, there is no opportunity to submit or speak to the matter.

If you are unable or choose not to attend the hearing
Please let the SDAB clerk know. The SDAB may proceed without you. The SDAB will consider all the information submitted, hear presentations from anyone else who may have attended, and make a ruling on the appeal.

Postponing your hearing
You may submit a written request to the SDAB identifying reasons to postpone your hearing, either at the hearing or before it. The SDAB will decide whether to proceed with the hearing or postpone it later.

You may submit your request to postpone to the SDAB clerk in one of the following ways:

1. in person at the Town Office, 5116-50 Ave, Rocky Mountain House, Alta. Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Attention SDAB Clerk
2. by mail to Box 1509, Rocky Mountain House, Alta., T4T 1B2 Attention SDAB Clerk
3. by email to legislative@trmh.ca Attention SDAB Clerk

The decision issued by the SDAB is final.

You may only appeal the decision if the SDAB erred in law or jurisdiction. The appeal must be filed to the Alberta Court of Appeal within 30 days of the date that the written decision was issued.

Shape the Future of Your Community – Join the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB)

Are you over 18 and passionate about how the Town of Rocky Mountain House grows and develops?

Do you want to contribute to decisions that directly impact subdivisions and development appeals in your community?

The Town of Rocky Mountain House is seeking engaged and thoughtful members to serve on the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB).

As a Board member, you will:

• Review and decide on subdivision and development appeals
• Ensure applications align with the Municipal Government Act, Town policies, and bylaws

This is a low-commitment role (typically 1 appeal per year but the possibility for more).

Board members should have the following:

• An understanding of the principles of administrative law and natural justice;
• The ability to participate in hearings with an open mind and make decisions in a fair and unbiased manner;
• Excellent analytical and reasoning skills;
• Demonstrate ability to read, understand and apply: knowledge of complex plans, the Municipal Government Act and other pertinent legislations, statutory plans such as the Municipal Development Plan and area structure plans, and the Land Use Bylaw.

Call the SDAB Clerk at 403-845-2866 or email legislative@trmh.ca for more information or to submit your application.  Deadline for applications is Friday, May 22, 2026.