Compliance Certificates & Real Property Reports

What is a Compliance Certificate?

Compliance Certificate Request Policy
(includes a Frequently Asked Questions section)

A certificate of compliance or a letter of non-conformance is issued when a real property report (RPR) is submitted to the department.  This includes a review of the location of the existing building(s)/improvements relative to the property boundaries and how it complies or does not comply with the current Land Use Bylaw.

This is a service (not a requirement) offered by the Town of St. Paul in response to a real estate transaction.

*It is recommended, per Town policy that requests are submitted at time of listing of a property rather than at time of a pending sale to avoid stress/hardship to a buyer/seller.*

How long will it take to process my request?

Please allow up to 10 business days for review.  The processing timeline varies due to the number of requests received.

Please apply EARLY to avoid any delays!

Our staff processes requests as quick as we can.  You may wish to consult with your lawyer/realtor if a closing date has been selected and the Real Property Report/Compliance Certificate has not yet been ordered and/or completed.  They may recommend options to proceed.  It is helpful to list the closing date on your request so that the Town can prioritize requests. Although, typically files are processed in order by received date.

Highlights/Benefits of a Real Property Reports & Compliance Certificates

  • Problems are identified and can be resolved before a sale is finalized;
  • Sellers and Purchasers know accurate location and dimensions of buildings, improvements, rights-of-way, and encroachments relative to boundaries of their property to avoid disputes;
  • Financing sometimes requires verified survey information and a letter of compliance;
  • RPR’s older than 6 months but less than 5 years can be accepted with a Statutory Declaration if no changes are made to the property since the date of the last RPR;
  • Processing timelines: Responses may take longer during our busy times or where an existing development/encroachments do not conform to the Land Use Bylaw.

Procedure for faster service when dealing with encroachments

Encroachments onto Town owned property (roadway or municipal reserve (park)

If a Real Property Report (RPR) shows an encroachment onto Town owned property, please forward the RPR and ask our department if the Town will accept and allow the encroachment to remain.

Your lawyer can request a copy of our encroachment agreement template. It is recommended that your lawyer email a draft agreement for our legal review and approval before it is signed.

Once the encroachment agreement has been signed by all parties, the department will complete the request for compliance.  

Encroachments onto privately owned property (another person's lot)

If a Real Property Report (RPR) shows an encroachment onto an adjacent privately owned property, the Town will want an original signed encroachment agreement between both parties.  The form, payment, & signed encroachment agreement can be forwarded together for faster service.

 

Tip:  Please apply early (when your property is listed) if you think you have improvements encroaching onto Town owned or private property.  This allows the time for review between a lawyer, buyer, seller, & the Town.

**A reminder that all encroachment agreements are to be registered by caveat on a land title as an awareness.**

Questions or ready to file your request?

Email requests to: pd@town.stpaul.ab.ca (completed form and Real Property Report)

Fee:  $125.00

Credit Card Payments: Credit card payments can be entered on the "Compliance Certificate Request Form", please include the following information:

-Credit Card Holder's Name;
-Credit Card Number;
-Expiry Date;
-CVV on the back of the card.

Our  department will work internally to put through your payment.

All requests for compliance must be submitted through our general mailbox to avoid any delays as requests are processed by date received complete.