For anyone buying or selling a lot or raw land in AlbertaBare land: a checklist for buyers and sellers
Buying: what the land allows
- Land use district: is a house permitted or discretionary? Setbacks and minimum parcel size?
- Any area structure plan, future road or highway plans nearby.
- Talk to the county planning department about your plan before going firm.
- Within 300 m of a provincial highway or 800 m of an intersection: roadside development permit.
Buying: what it will cost to build
- Water: nearby well records, a driller’s opinion, or a cistern plan.
- Sewage: a soil or percolation test to show which system will work.
- Power and gas: quotes from the distributor and gas co-op (or propane).
- Driveway: a county approach permit.
- Financing: land loan terms now, construction financing next.
Buying: what could get in the way
- AER abandoned well map (5 m setback; must be located and tested before permits).
- Pipelines, rights-of-way, surface leases and caveats on title.
- Wetlands, creeks and the provincial flood maps.
- The GST status of the sale — confirm with an accountant.
Selling
- Confirm the land use district, legal description and boundaries.
- Show where power and gas are, nearby well records and any soil test.
- Check for abandoned wells and gather any lease or right-of-way agreements.
- Confirm the GST status with your accountant before listing.
- Plan aerial photos, a boundary map and access directions — and tell the neighbours.
