City Government

Height and Grade

What’s Happening

City Council approved changes to the Zoning Bylaw regulations governing the height and grade of buildings with the adoption of Bylaw 16733 and Bylaw 17062 on July 8, 2015. Changes apply to every standard zone and overlay in the city and will be implemented as property owners and builders come forward with development applications.

The changes are part of ongoing work to align Zoning Bylaw regulations with consumer preference for more choice in residential housing. Additional height regulation changes are slated to go before City Council later this year.

Height and grade work together with other development and construction regulations (such as lot setbacks and coverage) to help shape the urban environment.

Approval of the regulation changes helps support the City’s goal of making Edmonton a more attractive and compact city by:

Increasing design options and opportunities for homeowners in new and existing neighbourhoods.
Creating more consistent interpretation and application of the regulations.
Streamlining the decision making process so there are fewer delays and less uncertainty when a development application is submitted.
Improving alignment between the Zoning Bylaw and new construction materials and techniques.

The changes are not meant to substantially alter the overall size and shape of buildings.