RECA Exam – Municipalities, Land Use, Permitting, & Taxation

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key RECA exam terms on municipalities, land use, permitting, assessments, and taxation.

Municipality

A geographic area incorporated by a province and granted authority over local affairs such as land-use planning, taxation, and service delivery.

Land Use District

A specific geographic zone defined in a Land Use Bylaw that outlines which developments may occur there.

Land Use Classification

The category (e.g., R-1, C-1) within a district that lists its permitted and discretionary uses.

Land Use Bylaw

The municipal bylaw that governs how land and buildings may be used and developed.

Development Permit

Municipal authorization confirming a proposed development complies with the Land Use Bylaw.

Building Permit

Permission ensuring planned construction or renovation meets Alberta Building Code and safety standards.

Permitted Use

A land use that must be approved if all bylaw rules are met.

Discretionary Use

A land use the municipality may approve or refuse based on compatibility with the surrounding area.

Illegal Use

A use never allowed under the Land Use Bylaw (e.g., auto repair in a residential district).

Non-conforming Use

A once-legal use that no longer meets current bylaws but may continue if uninterrupted.

Zoning Map

The map in a Land Use Bylaw showing land-use districts and classifications for every parcel.

Municipal Development Plan (MDP)

A long-range municipal blueprint for land use, infrastructure, environment, and growth.

Subdivision Approval

Official permission to divide a parcel of land into two or more lots.

Subdivision and Development Appeal Board

The body that hears appeals of denied or conditioned subdivision and development permits.

Municipal Government Act (MGA)

Alberta legislation empowering municipalities over land use, development, and taxation.

Certificate of Compliance

Municipal confirmation that existing structures on a parcel comply with the Land Use Bylaw.

Assessor

Municipal official who determines assessed property values using mass appraisal methods for taxation.

Property Assessment Process (Alberta)

Annual valuation of properties as of July 1 of the previous year; owners receive notices and may appeal.

Assessed Value

The value set by the municipality for tax purposes as of July 1 of the prior year.

Current Market Value

The price a willing buyer and seller would agree upon today.

Mill Rate

The tax rate, expressed per $1,000 of assessed value, used to calculate property taxes.

Improvement Levy

An extra tax charged to properties that directly benefit from a specific local improvement project.

Municipal Tax

General property tax applied to all properties to fund municipal services.

Mass Appraisal Methods

Statistical techniques assessors use to value many properties at once based on market data.