Welcome to the Rural Planning District Commission

Building on our past... Planning for our future

 The Rural Planning District Commission (RPDC) provides building inspection, development, and planning services to unincorporated areas of New Brunswick within our jurisdiction on behalf of the Minister of Environment. 

The Rural Planning District Commission is composed of five Commissioners appointed by the Minister of Environment, presently there are five Commissioners serving on the Commission Board.  Commission staff includes, a Director, GIS Specialist, building inspectors, development officers, planners and administrative staff.  All of the appointed Commissioners are residents of the rural areas served by the Rural Planning District Commission.

The Rural Planning District Commission’s mandate is derived from Section 7(2) of the Community Planning Act, and includes:

• preparing, administering, and enforcing Rural Plans and Zoning;
• approving subdivision plans;
• issuing building permits;
• inspecting buildings and developments;
• providing opinions to the Minister;

The Rural Planning District Commission’s jurisdiction encompasses approximately 40% of the province and includes:

• Carleton County, Charlotte County, Sunbury Country, and York County;
• the Parishes of Greenwich and Westfield in Kings County;
• the Parishes of Canning, Chipman, Gagetown, Hampstead and Petersville in Queens County;
• the Parish of Musquash in Saint John County; and
• the Parishes of Gordon, Lorne, Andover, and Perth in Victoria County.

Rural Planning District Commission offices are located in Fredericton, St. Stephen and Woodstock.  For more information about the Rural Planning District Commission, please contact the head office in Fredericton.

Throughout New Brunswick, a total of 12 District Planning Commissions are responsible for providing building, development and planning services to municipalities and unincorporated areas of the province.