Stewardship and Management

• Construction of a new building or structure, or an addition to, replacement of, or renovation or repair of a building and the placement in, on, over or under land of any of these;
• alteration to the interior or exterior of an existing building or structure;
• the relocation or demolition of a building or other structure;
• a change of use of land or a building, or an act done in relation to land or a building, that results in or is likely to result in a change in the use of the land and or building, or;
• a change in the intensity of use of land or a building, or an act done in relation to land or a building, that results in or is likely to result in a change in the intensity of use of the land or building;
• the cutting or removal of trees in whole or part;
• an excavation or stockpile and the creation of either of these;
• the erection of a physical, temporary facility or structure;
• the erection and modification of signage and/or fences;
• landscaping, including terrain manipulation other than routine care and maintenance;
• temporary testing or uses causing land disturbance; or
• structures for photography or filming purposes;
• the construction of ski runs, trails, ski run clearing, terrain modification or similar activity; and
• the placement, alteration or removal of water, sewer, gas, electrical or fibre optic service lines.

Generally, approved development permits grant the permit-holder permission for the proposed activity and to apply for a building permit, if required. The development permit review allows Parks Canada to consider and assess the proposed development against the policies and objectives of the relevant community plan; land use directives (as applicable); relevant park management plan; other national park regulations, policies, plans, and guidelines. Findings from the impact assessment process will also guide the development permit and will be included as part of the conditions attached to all approved permits.

This development permit review process considers and comments on:

• architectural design (form and character);
• site layout;
• social and environmental effects;
• infrastructure servicing considerations;
• impact to culturally significant features or elements;
• exterior building design;
• proposed development density;
• on-site and off-site landscaping;
• building siting;
• building finishes;
• lighting, etc.
• and, other project specific factors.

The primary purpose for issuing a building permit is to ensure that all buildings and structures, as well as the site area, comply with relevant national and provincial building, health and safety codes, building and zoning requirements of Parks Canada legislation, regulations and other guiding documents.

Projects requiring a building permit include:

• All new construction;
• Altering or adding onto an existing building or structure;
• Enlarging or relocating a window and/or door;
• Making any structural change (renovations) or repairs to the interior or exterior of a building, including a deck;
• Changing the occupancy use (from commercial to residential for example) (from mechanical to living space);
• Relocating or removing (demolishing) any building or structure;
• Undertaking excavation of any kind; and
• Increasing or changing the “footprint” of a building.

Parks Canada will provide you with the application form and a list of any supporting materials that may apply to your project. You will also be required to retain a third-party inspection agency to conduct all necessary code reviews, analyses, and building inspections, at your own cost.

Reach out to llyktownsites@pc.gc.ca with a brief summary of your project. The Development Review team can help guide you through this process.

PRE-APPLICATION MEETING (if applicable)

Step 1: Please begin by contacting llyktownsites@pc.gc.ca with information about your project, and the appropriate form will be provided to you. Once complete, please return the form for review.

Parks Canada may arrange a pre-application meeting to discuss project specifics further, or they may provide you with the relevant application form along with next steps.

Step 2 (if applicable): Attend the pre-application meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to help you align your project with the Land Use Planning Regulations and local guiding documents.

Topics covered at this meeting may include requirements of the permit (site plan, civil, landscaping, staff housing, strategy), what plans will be reviewed in relation to your application (management plans, community plans, etc), as well as environmental expectations. There will also be a preliminary discussion around timelines, potential consultation requirements and fees.

Note: there is typically no charge for the first pre-application meeting.

Depending on scale and complexity of the first pre-application meeting or if additional meetings are required or requested, the pre-application meeting fee may be charged.

All projects must then proceed through the development permit process, as this is now required for every project.

STAGE 1

Development Permit Review (required for all projects)

Step 3: Submit all components of the development permit application to Parks Canada. This application package will be provided to you after the initial forms and (if applicable) pre-application meeting has been completed.

Note: application fees are charged at this step. Payment of application fees does not constitute or guarantee approval of the development permit. All applications are subject to review and approval in accordance with applicable policies and regulations. Any changes or revisions to the proposed project after submission may be subject to additional fees.

Step 4: The Development Review team will conduct a preliminary scan to identify any elements that may be non‑compliant with regulations or local guidelines. The team will only contact you if significant issues or major red flags are identified.

At the same time, Parks Canada’s Impact Assessment team will determine the level of impact assessment required. This may be a Pre-Approved Impact Assessment (PRIA), a Basic Impact Assessment (BIA) or Detailed Impact Assessment (DIA). If necessary, a terms of reference will be provided to you to support completion of the necessary requirements.

Step 5: Parks Canada will begin the comprehensive review, and the applicable service standards apply (210 business days, or approximately 10 months for development review)**.

At the same time you must also complete the impact assessment requirements. You are required to complete this prior to the project progressing further.

Step 6: Development permit fees are invoiced. Once paid, Parks Canada will begin the comprehensive review, and the applicable service standards apply (210 business days, or approximately 10 months for development review).

Step 7: If the application is approved, the development permit will be issued, and you will move on to the building permit stage (if applicable).

Some projects may conclude at this stage, while others may be required to proceed to the building permit process. The Development Review team will advise you on what is required for your project.

STAGE 2

Building Permit Review (if applicable)

Step 8 (if applicable): Send the completed building permit application form to the Development Review team.

Note: application fees are charged at this step. Again, any changes or adjustments to the project will to be subject to additional fees.

Step 9: Parks Canada will begin the comprehensive review, and the applicable service standards apply (45 business days, or approximately 9 weeks for building permit review).**

Step 10: After the comprehensive review of the application package, Parks Canada will arrive at a decision.

Decisions may include a request for additional information (which will be communicated through a detailed letter outlining any deficiencies), an approval, or a refusal. Once a decision has been communicated, the service standard period concludes.

Step 11: If the application is approved, the building permit will be issued. Project work can commence.

If additional information is required, a permit will not be issued. A meeting will be scheduled to establish a reasonable timeline for submitting an updated application. A resubmission fee may apply.

Step 12: At any point during construction, Parks Canada may inspect the site to ensure activities are in compliance with all terms and conditions of previously issued permits and land use agreements, including any environmental mitigation measures.

All building permits must continue to the completion review. A project is considered “complete” when the certificate is issued.

STAGE 3

Project Completion Review

Step 13: Upon completion of the project and fulfillment of all building permit conditions, an application for a certificate of completion is required.

Parks Canada will assess the post‑construction documentation and may undertake on‑site inspections to confirm compliance.

Where the project does not meet the specified permit requirements, corrective measures may be necessary prior to final completion.

Step 14: Upon satisfaction that the permit conditions have been fulfilled, Parks Canada will issue an authorization for occupancy (if applicable) and a certificate of completion. Parks Canada considers the project is complete when the certificate of completion is issued.

** Service delivery standards and timelines are applicable to operators who remain in good standing. Review processes may be paused if there are outstanding issues the Operator must resolve in order to return to good standing. Once resolved, service standards and timelines will resume.