What to Do When Your Real Property Report Is Rejected by the City
When dealing with property transactions or permit applications in Edmonton, a Real Property Report (RPR) is often required. It’s a detailed legal document prepared by a land surveyor that outlines the structures, improvements, and boundaries of a property. Municipalities like Edmonton review these RPRs to ensure everything on your property complies with zoning regulations and building codes.
But what happens when your RPR gets rejected by the city? It’s more common than many property owners think—and when it happens, it can delay sales, halt construction, or even put deals at risk. Here’s what to do if your RPR in Edmonton doesn’t pass municipal review.
1. Understand Why It Was Rejected
The first step is to get clarity on the reason for the rejection. The City of Edmonton will usually provide written comments or a list of deficiencies. Common issues include:
- Non-compliant structures. Sheds, decks, fences, or garages that were built too close to property lines or within setbacks.
- Missing improvements. If the RPR doesn’t show recent additions or modifications to the property.
- Outdated RPR. If your RPR was done before new structures were added or if it’s too old, the city may require a current version.
- Part of your building or a structure might cross into a utility right-of-way or neighbouring property.
It’s essential to understand whether the issue is with the report itself or with what’s on the ground.
2. Contact a Professional Surveyor Immediately
If your RPR has been rejected, you’ll need to connect with a professional land surveyor to update or revise the document. If there were recent additions like a deck, shed, or garage, the updated RPR in Edmonton must reflect these.
Sometimes, it’s a simple matter of updating measurements or re-submitting with clearer documentation. Other times, the surveyor may need to return to the property and conduct a new survey.
3. Address the Underlying Issue on the Property
If the rejection was due to zoning violations or encroachments, you may have some tough decisions to make:
- Apply for a variance. If a structure is slightly outside the required boundaries, you can apply for a zoning variance from the city. This legal exemption, if granted, allows the structure to remain.
- Remove or relocate the structure. In some cases, you may have to physically move or dismantle part of the structure—especially if it violates easement rights or creates a safety concern.
- Encroachment agreements. If part of a structure crosses into a right-of-way or city property, the city may allow it to remain under an encroachment agreement. This is a formal contract with the municipality that acknowledges the situation and outlines legal use.
4. Keep All Documentation Organized
When resolving a rejected RPR in Edmonton, documentation is everything. Keep records of all city correspondence, contractor invoices, permits, survey updates, and legal agreements. This will not only protect you in future transactions but also speed up the compliance process.
5. Re-Submit for Compliance
Once your surveyor has updated the RPR and you’ve addressed any compliance issues, you can resubmit your report to the city. Make sure to include:
- The updated RPR
- Any new permits or approvals (e.g., variances or encroachment agreements)
- A letter explaining what has been changed or corrected
The city’s compliance department will review the resubmission and either approve it or issue further comments.
By being proactive and responsive, you can turn a rejected report into a compliant one—and keep your project or property deal moving forward.
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