FAQs - Hilliard's Bay Estates

Phase 1 has 54 lots,
Phase 2 has 35 lots,
Phase 3 has 47 lots,
Phase 4 has 11 lots,
Phase 5 has 10 lots,
for a total of 157 lots (units).

The amalgamation of all five Phases into one condominium association was completed in May 2018.

Phase 1 to 4 lots vary is size from 70 – 100 ft wide by 130 - 175 ft deep (averaging 0.25 acres)

Phase 5 lots are much larger (up to 3.5 acres)


Please see site plans for exact lot size measurement

The intent of Hilliard's Bay Estates developers is to establish a lakeside cottage community with the architectural theme favoring traditional lake cabin, chalet or cottage designs in earth tone colors.

• All buildings must be NEW.
• Custom built homes, pre-fabricated, modular RTM (ready to move) homes are allowed.
• Mobile homes and park models are not permitted.
• One dwelling/residence allowed per lot.  Guest house not permitted (County bylaw)
• 600 sq ft minimum on main floor footprint 
• Maximum lot coverage is 35% (County bylaw 11.22.2.c)

Yes, to achieve an expression of harmony and character and also protect the integrity of the community, the Hilliard's Bay Estates has established architectural guidelines.

These are included in the condominium bylaws document.

  1. Roads, Atco electrical power service to your property line.
    The landowner will be responsible for the tie in of power to dwelling.
  2. Clear title to your property, subject to encumbrances required by the planning authorities and the developer.
  3. The Condo Association has extra amenities including security gates, storage yard, seasonal docks, nature walking trails, playgrounds, sports court, beach and water sport equipment. 

There is an 8 year commitment to begin construction of cottage.
Exterior completion must be finished within 24 months of start date.

A holiday trailer or recreational vehicle may be used as temporary accommodations for the 8 year construction phase, plus an additional 2 years if needed to complete exterior; for a maximum total of 10 years.

The Big Lakes County bylaw states that the maximum number of RV sleeping units per lot shall be two. Upon completion of dwelling, the zoning bylaws imposed by the County shall prevail.

Currently the County bylaw allows only one RV and one dwelling on a lot.  Guest Houses are not allowed in Big Lakes county in our zoning area. 

Each lot owner will be required to install an approved underground (suck-out) septic tank and sewage must hauled to an offsite treatment facility. An underground water cistern will have to be installed. The Current bylaws stated that any above ground water tank must be enclosed in shed or screened from road and should only be temporary. Potable water must be trucked in and delivered into your cistern. A potable water dispensing station is available in the Hamlet of Grouard.
There are several service providers of vacuum trucks and water trucks in the area.

In accordance with the Alberta Water Act Regulations Section 9(1), and the Alberta Water Act Sections 23(3) and 23(4) to commence with the diversion of ground water can only occur if, an aquifer study conducted by an certified professional insures sufficient amount of water volume to service all household use in a subdivision with greater than six parcels

The property will be developed as a bareland condominium, which means lot (unit) owners will have full title to their lot and be responsible for maintenance of their lot and structures.
The roads, trails, beach area, and parks will be common property, and they will be collectively owned and maintained by all the condominium corporations that form part of the total land base (and therefore by all condominium unit holders).

The bylaws shall regulate the condominium association and provide for the control, management and administration of the units (lots), the real and personal property of the corporation and common property.

Copies of current bylaws are available to download on this website. 

There is an elected board of directors made up of lot owners, elected by all the unit holders of Hilliard's Bay Estates lots.

A bylaw can be changed with a 75% majority vote of the unit holders.

The condo fees have been set by the HB Condominium Association #182 1711 at $75 per month effective in June 2018. The $900 per year fee is payable annually in June.   Year runs June 1st to May 31st. 

All deposit money shall be held in trust up to the time that the certificate of title to the unit is issued in the name of the purchaser in accordance with the purchase agreement. (Section 14 of the Condominium Property Act, RSA)

Currently the 2024 assessed municipal residential tax mill rate is 7.831
Based on these mill rates, a property that has a $100,000 assessment (for property tax purposes) would therefore have an assessed property tax of approx $783 annually.

For further questions regarding assessments and taxes, please contact the Big Lakes County at 780-523-5955.

It means dwellings under 600 sq ft and RV's are classified as recreational dwellings under County bylaw section 8.1.5(e) and are discretionary "seasonal use only" . Recently the Big Lakes Conty has approved permanent residency for Hilliard's Bay Estates residential dwellings.  HBE is zoned as BR - Bareland Recreational.

Presently, you may use the boat launch at Hilliard’s Bay Provincial Park and the marina facilities at Shaw’s Point (daily/monthly fees apply).

A temporary, seasonal pier, dock or boat lift may be placed on the bed and shore of the lake in accordance with guidelines set in the Alberta Environment handout, Guidelines for Lakeshore Use #061-1C. In 2010 the Developer purchased 3 FLOE seasonal dock systems which are installed and removed each spring/fall. The condominium association currently manage the dock systems. Lot owners may add a FLOE dock slip and boat lift at their expense to attach to one of the existing main dock systems with the dock committee's approval. Fees apply to each boat lift owner for spring and fall installation and removal, payable to HB Condo Association.  Location of each boat lift is determined by dock committee based on availability, type of boat and depth of water at each main dock. 

Boat slips and lifts can be purchased from KimLake Ventures, Rick Cloutier who is a lot owner at HBE. You may contact him at 780-837-0410 or by email at kimlake@serbernet.com

Lot owners are responsible for all their garbage and waste removal. There are two landfill/transfer stations in the area. The Grouard transfer station is open Wednesdays and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. The Regional landfill facility on the Enilda Tower Road is open Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For further details, check under the Services/Utilities section on the Big Lakes County website.

ATV’s are prohibited from the common property, roads and trails within the Hilliard's Bay Estates subdivision and also within the Provincial Park surrounding our property. The current bylaw states that ATV’s may used for utility purposes on lot owner’s property only. Golf carts for transportation are strongly encouraged.

There are remote control gates at all 3 entrances at Hilliard's Bay Estates.  

Gates are maintained and administered by the Board of Directors of the condo association. 

There is a playground in Phase 2 on Aspen Ave 

A mulit purpose Sports Court in Phase 3. 

A new playground was installed in Phase 3 next to Sports Court in July 2018. 

A beautiful natural sandy beach with swimming area is located in Phase 3.

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