Knowledge Base

Seasonal Docks, Boat Lifts and Swimming Platforms

Effective April 1, 2021, the Alberta Government adopted the Alberta Government Disturbance Standard for Temporary Seasonal Docks and other Mooring Structures for Personal Recreational Purposes (April 2021)( Public Lands Act, RSA 2000), establishing a standardized means of managing docks and other mooring structures on Alberta lakes.. The Disturbance Standard for personal recreational purposes provides general permission for most waterfront and semi-waterfront owners, while eliminating the need to apply for Provincial authorization if abiding by the standards.

Do I require a Permit or Authorization for my Dock, Boat Lift or Swimming Platform?

According to the Distrubance Standard, if your dock, boat lift or swimming platform conforms to the Standard, you do not require authorization from the Province. Any existing or new dock, boat lift or swimming platform that does not conform to the Standard will require a Temporary Field Authorization (TFA) from Alberta Forestry and Parks. Smoky Lake County encourages all owners of docks, boat lifts and swimming platforms to contact Alberta Forestry and Parks to determine whether they need authorization.

How do I apply for a Temporary Field Authorization and what information do I need to provide?

Applications for a Temporary Field Authorization (TFA) must be submitted to Alberta Forestry and Parks, either in-person at the regional office (Red Deer) or via email at RedDeer.LUApps@gov.ab.ca. 

The following information must be submitted as part of your application for a TFA:

1. Obtain a Client ID
   • Before Alberta Forestry and Parks can accept an application, the applicant must obtain a Client ID. The Client ID is how Forestry and Parks assocaites and applicant with the services provided by the department.
   • An application form for a Client ID is available here.
   • Once you have obtained a Client ID, save the number for future reference as it will be required for the TFA application and any other future Public Lands Act approvals.
2. Obtain Written Conset (if required)
   • If you as an applicant are not a waterfront landowner (see below for definition of waterfront landowner), Forestry and Parks will require you to obtain written consent of the waterfront landowner and attach it to your application before your application will be considered.
   • A waterfront land parcel is one where the private landowner's property boundary is shared directly with the lake/waterbody. Properties that abut or share a property boundary with a municipal reserve/environmental reserve or are seperated from the lake/waterbody by another parcel of land are not waterfront parcels (see image below).
     
3. Completed Application Form
   • A specific application form has been developed for temporary, seasonal docks, boat lifts, mooring structures and swimming platforms for personal recreational use. A copy of the application form can be found here.
   • Section 1 of the application form requires you to provide your Client ID and your formal contact information.
   • Section 2 of the application form requires you to indentify the type of mooring structure that you are applying for.
   • Section 3 of the application form requires you to provide a statutory declaration (if you are the owner of a waterfront lot) or a letter of consent from the waterfront lot owner (if you are the owner of a semi-waterfront lot or back lot).
   • Section 4 of the application form requires you to provide specific details of where you intend to place your mooring structure.
   • Section 5 of the applicaiton form requires you to provide a sketch plan (see image below), which must include the following details:
     • Name of lake/waterbody;
     • Lot frontage/width;
     • Property lines and their projections into the water, and the distance between the mooring structure(s) and property lines;
     • Dimensions of all mooring structures (dock, boat lift, etc.) including the width of any walkways;
     • Area of swimming platform, if applicable;
     • Location of any existing adjacent mooring structures and the distance(s) from these structures to your proposed mooring structure(s);
     • Existing aquatic vegetation, and if any aquatic vegetation cutting is required, show how much and where;
     • Depth of the water at the furthest point of the proposed mooring strcuture from the shore;
     • GPS coordinates and/or map or aerial photograph depciting the location of the proposed mooring structure(s); and
     • Pictures of your proposed mooring structure(s).