The City of Cold Lake will require homeowners using environmental reserve (ER) lands to carry their own liability insurance, setting a minimum coverage of $2 million. The decision, made during a recent council meeting, is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to regulate private encroachments on municipal reserve lands.
Andrew Jabs, manager of Land Use Planning, Development, and Regulatory Services, said the requirement is intended to shift liability from the city to individual homeowners.
“Homeowners should provide their own insurance coverage instead of relying on the city for protection,” Jabs said.
The policy aims to reduce financial risks for the municipality while ensuring adequate coverage in case of accidents or property damage.
The city has been working since 2019 to document and address private encroachments on reserve lands, many of which predate current property owners. The new insurance requirement is part of a broader effort to formalize the use of ER lands while clarifying responsibilities for both homeowners and the city.
Mayor Craig Copeland acknowledged that the requirement would create an additional expense for affected homeowners but said it was necessary to protect the city from liability. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, council members agreed that homeowners should assume responsibility for any risks associated with using public land.
The new policy is tied to licensing agreements for homeowners with encroachments on ER lands. These agreements, which include a $500 fee, will be valid for three years and transferable if a property changes ownership.
Homeowners will receive official notices outlining the new requirements, with an initial deadline of April 30 to respond. The city is considering extending the deadline to the end of May to allow additional time for compliance. Officials plan to conduct site visits after the deadline, leaving notices at properties where no response has been received.
City administration will return to a future council meeting to discuss enforcement and provide updates on how homeowners are responding to the new requirements.
