What constitutes an “eligible resident”?
To buy real estate or a home in Banff National Park, you have to be an eligible resident. Check below for the Banff eligible resident requirements.
- an individual whose primary employment is in the National Park
- an individual who operates a business in the National Park and whose presence at the place of business is necessary for the day-to-day operation of the business
- a retired individual who resides in the National Park and who, for 5 consecutive years immediately prior to retirement,
- was employed primarily in the National Park
- operated a business in the National Park and whose presence at the place of business was necessary for the day-to-day operation of the business
- a retired individual who resided in the National Park at the time of the individual’s retirement and who resided in the National Park on July 30, 1981
- an individual who is a student in full time attendance at an educational institution that is located within the National Park and registered under the Income Tax Act or applicable provincial legislation relating to education
- an individual who is a lessee of public lands in the National Park and who
- was the lessee of those public lands prior to May 19, 1911, or
- is a descendant, by blood or adoption, of an individual who was the lessee of those public lands prior to May 19, 1911
- the spouse or a dependant of an individual referred to in any paragraphs #1 – #6
A lessee who has been granted a lease of public lands…shall, on the request of the Minister, provide to the Minister evidence, by way of affidavit or solemn declaration, that each occupant of the leased public lands is an eligible resident.
For the purposes of the definition “eligible resident”, “business” means a business that is licensed under the National Parks Business Regulations or under a by-law passed by the Corporation of the Town of Banff.
Can I buy property in Banff National Park, even if I do not meet the “eligible resident” requirement?
You can if the actual renter residing on the property meets the “eligible resident” requirement. Note that the restrictions here do not apply to the ownership of the property, rather the person who is occupying it.
Could I buy a property for “vacation purposes” only – use it myself or friends from time to time throughout the year, and leave it vacant when not in use?
Absolutely not. Again, the person you would be renting out to would not meet the eligibility requirements.
Do these restrictions apply to properties in Canmore, Harvie Heights or Exshaw and Lac Des Arc as well?
Not at all. – The above mentioned restrictions apply only to the National Park and these communities are located outside of it.