A hamlet is an area in a rural municipality (RM) that contains at least 10 subdivided lots (on average under 1 acre) with at least five occupied homes. Hamlets have no formal boundaries and are not recognized as municipal bodies.
An organized hamlet (OH) is created by Minister’s order that is represented by a hamlet board. Residents of an OH elect a three-person board that acts in an advisory capacity to the RM council, representing the needs and interests of the community. Despite having a OH designation, the RM is the legal governing body. In addition to other legislative requirements for the OH, the hamlet board is required to remain active, which involves:
- Holding an annual general meeting each year;
- Conducting at least four regular board meetings;
- Submitting an annual budget to the RM; and
- Submit meeting minutes of board meetings and annual general meetings to the RM.
The Municipalities Act requires the RM request the Minister to order the reversion of an OH if no active hamlet board has existed for the preceding year. Alternatively, should a hamlet board determine it is no longer desirable to continue as an OH, the RM can request that its status be reverted.
For more information on recent regulation amendments to organized hamlets, please download this information bulletin.