Please note that anyone wishing to develop property, or operate a business, must make a written application to Council first.

Forms for the two commonest requests are provided here.

There are lots of Federal, Provincial and other regulations affecting development and construction – and the process of applying to Council can often help you navigate them.

There is currently no fee charged for these applications or their processing … but please be aware that development without permission can meet with stiff penalties, and power and water services may not be provided to unauthorized developments.

There are three areas in particular where you need to be alert to the regulations.

First, there is a Protected Road Zone along our main road (Trinity Drive to Discovery Estates/Route 230A) right up to the junction with Route 230/Bonavista Highway.  It extends 100 metres either side of the centreline. If you wish to develop a property along this PRZ (e.g., construct a new home, outbuilding or commercial building; renovate; build an addition; or add a new access or change and existing access) you will need to apply for a Protected Road Zone Permit from Digital Government & Service NL. You can find out the particulars at https://www.gov.nl.ca/dgsnl/licenses/land-dev/ 

Second … we live along the shores of Smith Sound, and we have water all around us everywhere else, too. We are blessed with numerous ponds as well as our Sawpit Brook, Muddy Hole Brook, George’s Brook and Ryder’s Brook. And we have bogs and wetlands, as well.  These are all sensitive resources – not just because of the habitat they offer to our wildlife and their importance for hunting and fishing, but because they are where our drinking water comes from. They are rightly subject to quite a lot of Federal and Provincial regulations as well as our own Protected Public Water Supply Area rules.  Permits are required to alter, cross and even work near bodies of fresh and salt water and wetlands.  Find out what you need here:

https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/waterres/permits-licenses/appforms/

Finally, please note that commercial/advertising signs must not be fixed beside the road without prior permission.

For information on permits and planning, contact our Town Clerk-Manager on clerk@townofgbm.com or (709) 466-4488.