Architectural guidelines (also called Community Design Codes) are intended to encourage a consistent built form, strengthen community identity, support tourism branding, and promote the use of high-quality materials throughout the Town.
Voluntary Architectural Guidelines have been in place since December 2011 to encourage new developments to conform to the Town's Historical Hudson's Bay Trading Fort theme. The purpose of this theme was to tie into the Town's unique trading fort history that founded the town in 1799.
Resources:
Architectural Guidelines adopted December 2011
Architectural Guidelines information bulletin (2-page document of guideline highlights)
What’s included in the Town of Rocky Mountain House Architectural Guidelines?
The existing guidelines promote a Historical Hudson’s Bay Trading Fort theme inspired by Rocky Mountain House’s fur trade history, David Thompson and the Town’s connection to the National Historic Site. The guidelines encourage developers and builders to reflect a sensitivity to nature, a handcrafted appearance and human-oriented design.
What building materials and styles are recommended?
Wood or wood-style siding, in the style of palisade, Red River or wood-style stucco. Cedar shakes, composite siding or full rock cladding; squared timber, stone-style trim and ledges, wood or wood-designed shutters.
What colour schemes are recommended by the Architectural Guidelines?
Natural, muted and subtle colours are encouraged. Colour choices should reflect tones found in materials such as timber, rock, and clay rather than using sharp, glossy, or highly contrasting finishes
Can a building include modern elements and still meet the guidelines?
Yes. The guidelines recognize that modern materials and construction methods can be used, provided the overall design still reflects the fur trade theme, uses quality materials and maintains the intended character
Are Architectural Guidelines mandatory?
Not at this time. Rocky Mountain House has had voluntary Architectural Guidelines since 2011. Council is considering the merits of revising these guidelines and making them mandatory for commercial developments, and review Architectural Guidelines again at the Regular Council Meeting on July 21, 2026.
What are the pros and cons of mandatory Architectural Guidelines? Here are some things to consider:
| Potential benefits | Potential challenges |
| Promotes a consistent built form and streetscape character. | Can increase project costs where preferred materials or design features are more expensive. |
| Reinforces community identity and supports a recognizable visual theme. | Can reduce design flexibility for some sites, uses, or property owners. |
| Encourage the use of durable materials and coordinated façade design. | Requires additional review time where proposals need interpretation or design revisions. |
| Aligns new development with surrounding buildings and public perceptions. | Requires careful administration to ensure consistent application across different projects. |
| Provides clear design expectations for applicants, Council and administration. | May require periodic updates to remain practical, clear, and responsive to changing construction methods and community priorities. |
For more information on the Town's history through being the westernmost post along the North Saskatchewan River, please see the About Rocky section.
For questions on the architectural guidelines document, please contact the Planning and Community Development Department at 403-847-5260.
