As part of the Town of Westlock's continued work on implementing its Housing Action Plan, a series of targeted amendments to its Land Use Bylaw were proposed to address barriers and challenges in order to encourage housing development. Westlock has faced growing pressures on its housing system in the last few years, including low rental vacancy, low lot inventory, aging housing stock, and a gap in affordable housing types such as duplexes and townhomes.
The Land Use Bylaw sets out the type of housing development that can be built on a property, as well as the number of units, parking required, and other requirements such as building design. All these elements can limit or incentivize the development of a property for housing.
The Land Use Bylaw is one of the final policy documents of the Housing Policy Improvement initiative in the action plan that was reviewed for improvements to enable and encourage housing growth in our community.
These amendments were originally drafted based on feedback from builders, developers, and the local real estate community, and also takes into account best practices and feedback from Administration on implementing the Land Use Bylaw since its adoption by Council in 2022.
What's Changing?
The following amendments address the challenges, roadblocks, and economics of developing housing in Westlock:
- Dwelling Use Classes - Amendments to clarify between the types of dwelling use classes and the types of dwellings desired in each Land Use District.
- Dwellings Per Parcel & Lot Widths - Amendments to the density maximums (units per parcel) and lot widths in identified Land Use Districts to align with common dwelling forms for each district, comparator standards, and to provide developers with economies of scale.
- New R1-B (Low Density Variable Residential District) Land Use District - A new Land Use District intended to be used in new neighbourhoods to offer a diversity of lot widths & housing types.
- Infill Development Provisions - Amendments to strengthen and enhance regulations regarding infill development in established neighbourhoods to mitigate the potential impact on adjacent properties and retain neighbourhood character.
- Parking Requirements - Adjust on-site parking requirements for residential development to ensure adequate on-site parking while providing developers with flexibility depending on the scale and intended end-use of developments.
- Non-Conforming Residential Properties - Ensure that existing residential properties have the proper land use designation to ensure that any issues of non-conforming uses/developments are eliminated.
Adoption of Amendments
Thank-you to those that provided feedback throughout the project to assist Administration in drafting and finalizing the proposed amendments. Council held a Public Hearing regarding the proposed Amendment Bylaw 2025-07 on June 9, 2025 and subsequently gave second and third readings, bringing the amendments into immediate effect.
A new consolidated version of the Land Use Bylaw is now available here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Land Use Bylaw?
The Land Use Bylaw is a vital document that shapes your community and future development by setting out regulations regarding land use, the type, scale, and placement of buildings, and establishes processes for development permit approvals. The Town’s Land Use Bylaw 2022-12, was adopted by Council in late 2022, and is one of the Town’s critical tools in addressing and promoting housing development in Westlock.
What are Westlock’s current housing needs and challenges?
Westlock has faced growing pressures on its housing system in the last few years, including low rental vacancy, low lot inventory, aging housing stock, and a gap in affordable housing types such as duplexes and townhomes.
Why do we need to amend the Land Use Bylaw now?
The Land Use Bylaw sets out the type of housing development that can be built on a property, as well as the number of units, parking required, and other requirements such as building design. All these elements can limit or encourage the development of a property for housing.
In 2023, Council adopted a Housing Action Plan intended to address the emerging housing needs in Westlock by proposing a number of initiatives to target both short-term supply and long-term systematic improvements. The Land Use Bylaw is one of the remaining policy documents of the Housing Policy Improvement initiative in the action plan that is being looked at for improvements to enable and encourage housing growth in our community.
Where are the current Land Use Districts located?
The current Land Use Districts for Westlock can be found by looking at the Land Use Map (Appendix A of the Land Use Bylaw). Alternatively, you can also see the land use districts that apply to specific parcels using the Town’s Webmap.
How will the amendments to the Land Use Bylaw impact my property?
The proposed amendments may provide you with greater options for the future sale and development of your property. However, it is important to note that the changes will not impact your property, unless a development application is initiated with approval from the property owner. If no changes to the property are initiated, there is no impact to the use of your property by the amendments.
How will my feedback be used to finalize the proposed amendments?
Your feedback will be used to help Administration finalize the amendments to be considered by Council for adoption. This may include changes to the proposed amendments depending on the feedback received.
How can I have input on housing projects near my property before they are approved?
New projects that require a re-districting or a subdivision will involve a public engagement process where adjacent landowners within 100m of the property are notified of the proposal and are able to provide feedback prior to approval. These projects will be larger scale changes that may be a change from the typical development in your neighbourhood or could also include if new stages are proposed in growing areas (like Southview or Aspendale).
How will these amendments encourage housing development?
These amendments have been designed to remove roadblocks and challenges in developing housing in the current Land Use Bylaw by streamlining housing use classes and providing a smoother application process with sureity to builders & developers. The amendments also balance the need to incentivize new housing projects, particularly on vacant or underutilized land, while protecting existing neighbourhood character and the impact on adjacent properties.
Does Westlock allow backyard or basement suites?
In 2024, Council amended the Land Use Bylaw to allow for secondary (basement), garage, and garden suites as permitted uses in the Town's R1 District. Suites are also listed uses in the RMH-1 & RE Districts. This means that on the majority of low-density properties in Westlock, one (1) suite can be developed to allow for additional living options and improve affordability for homeowners. To learn more about suites, click here.