Apply to Begin a Local Improvement
The Local Government Committee (LGC) approves local improvement projects.
Below are the steps to apply to begin a local improvement.
1. Overview
Municipalities require approval from the LGC to implement a local improvement project.
The LGC will review and make a decision regarding the application.
2. Guidance
A municipality may start a local improvement project for any of the following:
- pavement;
- construction of a bridge which forms part of a street;
- sidewalk and curbing;
- construction of street malls;
- construction of fixtures, poles, or pipes on a street, lane, easement;
- purchasing land for off-street parking;
- construction of sewage system or storm sewer;
- construction of water main;
- sewer or water connections;
- construction of a railway system;
- construction of parks or recreational facilities;
- acquisition of land necessary for the construction of a local improvement; or
- any other work or service the LGC authorizes.
A municipality must apply for approval from the LGC before they start the local improvement project.
If your local improvement will require the municipality to borrow money, please see 'Apply to Borrow Money for a Municipality.'
3. Eligibility
You may apply to the LGC if:
- Your municipality:
- receives a petition from property owners within your municipality to start a local improvement;
- passes a resolution to start a local improvement where property owners may petition against the project; or
- passes a resolution to start a local improvement where property owners may not petition against the project.
- You submit the local improvement report including all required documents; and
- You submit a certified copy of the resolution of council adopting the local improvement report.
4. How to Apply
If you are eligible to apply:
- Complete the application to the LGC and include all required documents listed in the application.
- Submit the application to the LGC:
- personally by emailing, submitting online or delivering;
- by registered mail; or
- by regular mail.
5. Apply
- Step 1 (Saving file): Right-click on "Notice of Appeal to the Assessment Appeals Committee" box below then select "Save Link as..." or "Save Target as..." and save the file to your computer.
- Step 2 (Opening file): Open the PDF using Adobe Acrobat® or Adobe Reader®, version 8 or later.
6. Further Information
Legislation that applies to local improvements includes:
- The Cities Act
- The Local Improvements Act, 1993
- The Municipal Board Act
- The Municipalities Act
- The Northern Municipalities Act, 2010
Sample resolutions and bylaws are available to guide municipalities. A template is also available for preparing the Preliminary and Final assessment schedule. These samples and templates are for information purposes only and should be revised to suit your situation: