The City is asking for feedback on proposed changes to infill development that will be presented in two reports to Urban Planning Committee on February 10, 2026.
Feedback is being gathered until January 29 and is related to two motions passed at City Council Public Hearings in 2025. The motions direct Administration to develop proposed changes to infill development, including infill on mid-block sites and the rules that guide redevelopment within neighbourhoods.
Visit Council and Committee Meetings to find the agenda for the February 10 meeting, which will include the two Council Reports on infill-related changes, and learn how to request to speak at the meeting. The report will be posted on January 29, 2026.
Motion 1 - RS Zone Changes
A motion passed at the November 19, 2025, City Council Public Hearing directs Administration to provide a report that includes:
- Recommendations and implications on reducing the maximum number of dwellings on an interior or mid-block site in the RS-Small Scale Residential Zone.*
- Options and recommendations to reduce the impact of height on adjacent properties in the RS Zone.
- Advise-level engagement that draws upon past engagement and feedback.
- Options and recommendations to support maintenance and retention of trees on private property.
*The RS Zone generally applies to neighbourhoods within the Anthony Henday, referred to as Edmonton’s redeveloping areas.
Proposed Changes
The number of dwelling units on a lot in the RS Zone is controlled by two regulations: one for the maximum allowable number of dwellings on an interior site, and another regulation for the minimum site area per dwelling. Based on past feedback from Edmontonians and analysis of policy, Administration’s report will include the following recommendation:
- Reduce the maximum number of dwellings permitted on an interior site from 8 to 6.
- Increase the minimum site area per dwelling for interior sites from 75 square metres to 90 square metres.
- Increase the minimum site area per dwelling for corner sites from 75 square metres to 80 square metres.
Administration considered three options to mitigate height impacts on adjacent properties:
- Option 1: Reduce maximum height from 10.5 metres to 9.5 metres
- Option 2: Maintain maximum height at 10.5 metres and limit sidewall height to 9 metres
- Option 3: Limit third storey building length to 75 per cent of the length of the second-storey
Based on analysis of the benefits, tradeoffs and impacts of these options, Administration is not recommending a change to regulating height in the RS zone.
A bylaw to regulate trees on private property is not recommended given past identified challenges and the ongoing work that Administration is doing to improve landscaping on private property. Proposed changes will be brought to Urban Planning Committee and Public Hearing later in 2026.
Motion 2 - District Policy and RSM Zone Changes
A motion passed at the August 18, 2025, City Council Public Hearing directs Administration to provide a report:
- On potential amendments to the Zoning Bylaw or District Plans for consideration to limit mid-block redevelopment larger than small-scale development outside of nodes and corridors with considerations of site size, height and context.
Proposed Changes
The proposed changes to the District Policy and the Zoning Bylaw seek to create a better balance between encouraging infill development and minimizing impacts on existing neighbourhoods. This would be done by including more consideration of local context and emphasizing support for larger-scale development primarily in nodes and corridors, with additional opportunity in proximity to mass transit and along arterial roads. These changes would only affect the rezoning process whereby City staff make recommendations to City Council at public hearings. They do not affect the development permit process or development applications under existing zones.
Proposed changes are to policies under Section 2.5.2 - Urban Mix of the District Policy. The policies in this section describe the appropriate scale of development outside of nodes and corridors.
- The proposed changes would support rezonings to allow buildings up to four storeys tall at two types of sites:
- Sites that are both within 400 metres of a mass transit station and along an arterial road (including mid-block sites)
- Corner sites along an arterial road
- The proposed changes would also replace the formulaic or criteria-based approach in the current policy 2.5.2.7 with a description of the factors that are considered by City staff when evaluating rezoning applications.
- This change will allow a more detailed and nuanced planning analysis when considering rezoning applications outside of Nodes and Corridors.
Administration is proposing to amend the name and general purpose statement of the Small-Medium Scale Transition Residential (RSM) Zone to change where this zone may be used. Changes would limit the use of the RSM Zone to sites within node and corridor areas, on large undeveloped sites or where supported in a statutory plan.
More details about the proposed changes can be found in the Draft Markup and Rationale of Proposed Amendments to the District Policy and Zoning Bylaw 20001.