City Government

Medium and High Density Residential Zones

The Zoning Bylaw contains a set of residential zones to accommodate all housing types -- from low density single family homes to high density apartment buildings.

Having different zones for different densities of residential development makes it clear what future development will look like in each zone, and what effects the development may have on City infrastructure.

Currently, the Zoning Bylaw allows low density housing to be mixed into many medium and high density zones. This creates uncertainty about what the final built product will look like in each individual zone.

Draft Regulations

The City is considering a series of bylaw amendments to restrict the construction of small-scale, low density housing; in larger-scale medium and high density zones as well as to revitalize underutilized zones.

The proposed amendments would:

Introduce minimum and maximum densities into the RF5 (Row Housing), RF6 (Medium Density Multiple Family), RA7 (Low Rise Apartment), RA8 (Medium Rise Apartment) and RA9 (High Rise Apartment) zones.
Amend the RF5 (Row Housing) and RF6 (Medium Density Multiple Family) zones so that semi-detached housing is a discretionary rather than a permitted use.
Amend the RA7 (Low Rise Apartment), RA8 (Medium Rise Apartment) and RA9 (High Rise Apartment) zones so that row housing is a discretionary rather than a permitted use.
Allow smaller-scale, lower-density housing in the RF5 (Row Housing), RF6 (Medium Density Multiple Family), RA7 (Low Rise Apartment), RA8 (Medium Rise Apartment) and RA9 (High Rise Apartment) zone to be built in new neighbourhoods as long as the site meets the minimum density threshold of the zone.
Allow smaller-scale, lower-density housing in the RF5 (Row Housing), RF6 (Medium Density Multiple Family), RA7 (Low Rise Apartment), RA8 (Medium Rise Apartment) and RA9 (High Rise Apartment) zones to be built on infill sites in mature neighbourhoods, regardless of the minimum density threshold of the zone.
Amend the underutilized RF6 (Medium Density Multiple Family) and RA9 (High Rise Apartment) zones.

Project Stage

This project is in the information gathering stage of the text amendment process. A recommendation report with proposed zoning bylaw changes went to Executive Committee for discussion on November 19, 2012. The target City Council Public Hearing Date for these amendments is spring 2013. The project will be undergoing further consultation with the development and construction industries as well as other affected stakeholders prior to returning to City Council Public Hearing.

The City of Edmonton is committed to citizen engagement. Administration is currently accepting general feedback on changes to the RF5, RF6, RA7, RA8, and RA9 zones. Please submit comments or questions to chelsey.jersak@edmonton.ca or andrew.sherstone@edmonton.ca.