City council heard a report from administration Tuesday about what upcoming provincially mandated amendments to municipal infill zoning bylaws would look like as the three-month deadline approaches. Earlier this month, the Government of Alberta ordered that Edmonton and Calgary repeal their infill bylaws on housing types, density and height that Premier Danielle Smith said are harming homeowners. Amendments would apply to the city’s small scale residential zones, also referred to as RS zones, which make up nearly 50 per cent of the city and include single detached, semi-detached, suites, row housing, and multi-unit developments. The RS zone bylaw was implemented in 2024 in an effort to reach a 50 per cent development target that would welcome 600,000 new residents. Under the province’s directive, projects like Edmonton’s solar-ready program and landscaping improvements will be put on hold until the city files a review to the Alberta government 18 months after the zoning bylaw is repealed. The city will publicly provide a draft of amendments to the bylaw in mid-November before the provincial deadline on Jan. 22. Due to time constraints, the city said engagement with Edmontonians will be limited. Between now and Jan. 22, developers will still be able to submit infill applications. Under the city’s standardized designs, those applications would see faster review times. Administration said applicants using standardized designs will have until Dec. 2 to get them reviewed and a decision made by Jan. 22. After Jan. 22, individual developers can apply for a public hearing to have rules on specific lots changed. The application for a public hearing costs between $5,000 and $7,000 and can take three to six months to be approved. Public engagement sessions will be held in the coming weeks on the city’s zoning bylaw amendments.
