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Planning & Development - Annexation

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1. Are annexation and expropriation similar?

No. Expropriation involves a municipality taking over ownership of private land and using it for major projects such as roads or water, sewer or utility infrastructure.

Annexation, on the other hand, does not involve a change in land ownership; it means a change in municipal boundaries and jurisdiction. The annexed land becomes part of a different municipality.

2. Once land is annexed, do City bylaws apply?

Upon annexation, all the City’s bylaws become applicable, including noise and nuisance bylaws, and traffic bylaws. These regulatory bylaws apply to all properties in the annexed area. The most commonly requested City bylaws can be viewed online.

3. Will land uses (zoning) of our property change after annexation?

Once annexation is approved, the City automatically inherits Camrose County’s statutory plans, land use, and any other bylaws or regulations that apply specifically to the land in the annexed area. Annexation will not impact the present use of the land in the annexation area.

After annexation, any future changes to land use that are proposed by the City will have to go through a statutory public consultation process.

4. Are properties in an annexed area required to hook up to City water and sewer services?

Water and sewer services become available when development or urbanization occurs in an area. Once that occurs, City services may become available, but connection fees may be charged. Additional Information

5. How will properties be taxed after they are annexed?

The present Memorandum of Understanding recommends current Camrose County assessment provisions and a special tax levy formula be utilized for the next ten years. Annexed properties will be taxed using the lowest municipal tax rate set annually by either the City of Camrose or Camrose County for each property assessment class (residential, farmland and non-residential).

Land and assessable improvements included in the annexation will continue to be assessed on the same basis as if the annexed land had remained in Camrose County. This means:

• Farm buildings will remain exempt from taxation.
• The Rural Assessment Policy exempting a portion of farm residences from taxation will remain in place.
• Farmland property assessments will be taxed using the lower City tax rates (6.9809 instead of 11.11, comparing 2008 tax rates).
• Residential property assessments will be taxed using the lower County tax rates (4.91 instead of 6.9809, comparing 2008 tax rates).
• Non-residential property assessments will be taxed using the lower County tax rates (12.37 instead of 13.7726, comparing 2008 tax rates).
• Machinery and equipment currently taxable in the County will become exempt from taxation.

These assessment provisions and special taxation formulas will remain in effect for 10 years or until any of the following occurs:

• A property is re-designated to a different land use under the City of Camrose Land Use Bylaw, at the request of, or on behalf of the landowner,
• A development permit is issued for a property,
• The landowner initiates or supports a City of Camrose local improvement project to supply water and sanitary sewer service to their property, or
• A property is connected to water or sanitary sewer services provided by the City of Camrose.