National parks subdivision

The Pre-Application Meeting ensures early alignment with applicable regulations and policy requirements, and will identify the technical documents needed for a complete application submission.

Pre-application Meetings are mandatory. To initiate a meeting, please submit a written request for a meeting to jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca. The development office will schedule a meeting within 3 weeks of the request.

Pre-Application Meeting submission requirements typically include:

1. Purpose of the subdivision.
2. Description of site features and any existing structures intended to be retained or demolished.
3. Preliminary subdivision plan showing existing parcels, remaining structures, and proposed parcels. Please provide dimensions.
4. (Recommended) Preliminary Site Plan showing the location, size, and setbacks of potential building envelopes.
5. Pre-Application Meeting fee.

Following the meeting, the development office will provide a formal summary of discussion topics, including any site-specific requirements for a Preliminary Approval application.

Once a Pre-application Meeting has been held, an application can be submitted to the development office to apply for Preliminary Approval. A complete Parks Canada Preliminary Approval package requires the following documents:

1. Subdivision Preliminary Approval Application form (PDF, 275 KB)
2. Letter of Authorization (for non-leaseholders) (PDF, 88 KB)
3. Application Checklist (PDF, 214 KB), typically including:
• Tentative Plan of Subdivision
• Certificate of Title and associated instruments
• Technical reports and/or requirements as identified during the Pre-Application Meeting. These are based on site characteristics. Requirements may include information on servicing, traffic, stormwater, or geotechnical conditions (as prepared by a professional engineer); a Real Property Report; as well as a Parks Canada Impact Assessment report and approval.
4. Preliminary Approval fee = (base fee + per parcel/unit fees)

The application will be circulated for technical review. Through this review, additional information may be requested. The review period is a maximum of 6 months.

Following review, the Preliminary Subdivision application will receive Preliminary Approval or be refused.

The Preliminary Approval describes the conditions that must be met to proceed with the subdivision. This may include a survey plan, amending or surrendering a lease, and applying for development permits.

A Final Approval application can be submitted once all conditions of the Preliminary Approval have been fulfilled. A complete Parks Canada Final Approval Package requires the following documents:

1. Subdivision Final Approval Application form (PDF, 177 KB)
2. Letter of Authorization (for non-leaseholders) (PDF, 88 KB)
3. Application Checklist, typically including:
• New legal land survey (submitted for approval)
• Surrender of lease, new lease, or lease amendment (in progress but not finalized)
• Municipality of Jasper approvals
• Other documents demonstrating that all conditions listed on the Preliminary Approval letter are complete.
4. Final Approval fee

This process takes 1-2 months.

Following review of the Final Approval Package, if all conditions are met, the subdivision will receive Final Approval. Final Approval is the authorization to register the new legal land survey and finalize any new lease agreements or amendments to complete the subdivision.

The National Parks of Canada Land Use Planning Regulations (SOR/2024-230) (“LUPR”) establishes the application and approval process relating to the subdivision of lands in national parks and national park reserves. The National Parks of Canada Lease and Licence of Occupation Regulations (SOR/92-25) (“LLOR”) provides regulatory authority to issue, surrender, and amend leases and licences of occupation. Any proposed subdivision must meet the requirements of both regulations.

Under the National Parks of Canada Land Use Planning Regulations (SOR/2024-230) subdivisions must be “suitable for the purposes for which the subdivision is intended.” In Jasper, this includes reviewing a subdivision application with consideration for the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy and the terms and conditions of the lease agreement. This is to confirm that the proposal meets minimum lot size requirements (e.g. width, size), is an approved or discretionary use of the lease and town district, and to ensure that there are no specific lease restrictions which could affect the proposed subdivision. For example, a subdivision to create a new residential lot must demonstrate that the lot size can accommodate a new dwelling within a residential area of town.

Site suitability is also assessed based on technical constraints, such as servicing the lots, emergency access, or operational access. In some circumstances it may be necessary to sign a Town of Jasper Development Utility Application to install utility servicing lines, or to submit a Development Permit application to demonstrate the buildability of a proposed lot.

A confirmed future development is not necessary, but it is recommended. Knowing with certainty what a future parcel will be used for helps demonstrate the viability and suitability of a proposed subdivision if a configuration is unusual.

No, a double-lot is not necessary. Double-lots tend to be larger, and potentially more suitable, but any lot can be subdivided provided it meets the Land Use Policy requirements, technical requirements, and retains a developable area.

Yes, only existing land use agreement holders (lessees or licensees) may apply in accordance with section 32(1) of the Land Use Planning Regulations. Through a Leaseholder Authorization Letter you can authorize someone to apply on your behalf (ex. a registered Land Surveyor), but the land use agreement holder is ultimately responsible.

A survey is a common condition of subdivision. It must be prepared by a registered Canada Lands Surveyor, licensed to work in Jasper National Park.

As the lands are within a national park, the survey process is guided by the Surveyor General Branch (SGB) within Natural Resources Canada, and registered through the My Canada Lands Survey System portal (MyCLSS).

Registration with the Alberta Land Titles Office is not a typical Parks Canada requirement. However, many leaseholders choose to register with the Land Titles Office so that their lease is attached to the Certificate of Title and eligible for a mortgage.