Service Overview

Subdivision is governed in Alberta by the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and Matters Related to Subdivision & Development Regulation. The Province gives City Council the power to subdivide land. Through a bylaw, Edmonton City Council has delegated this ability to the City’s Subdivision Authority.

Additionally, Condominiums are governed by Alberta’s Condominium Property Act and Condominium Property Regulation. This legislation provides an opportunity for landowners to convert property into a condominium ownership structure. The Act requires the City's approval, prior to registration of a condo with Provincial Land Titles.

An Alberta Land Surveyor can assist with application preparation and submission, on behalf of the landowner/developer.

Application Types

Bare Land:

  • Bare Land Condo - Subdivision creates two or more individually titled Units and establishes the site’s Common Property area. Each unit consists of the built form and its immediate surrounding land.
  • Bare Land Parking - Subdivision creates surface parking stalls as individually titled Units.
  • Bare Land Sign - Subdivision creates an individually titled Unit for a freestanding sign (also referred to as a “pylon”). Often occurs for standalone signs on commercial and industrial sites.

Phased Condo (Initial Phase):

  • Subdivision authorizes a site to be developed in phases, under the condo ownership structure. The initial phase establishes a Common Property area and indicates where the first phase of building development is occurring. The undeveloped remainder of the site is identified as the remnant area. Subsequent phases of a Phased Condo are processed as a type of Condo Conversion, and the site is incrementally developed until it is fully built out.

Condo Conversion:

  • Traditional Condo Conversion - Turns an existing building into individually owned Units. Ownership applies to everything within the walls, floors, and ceilings of each constructed Unit. Everything else is considered Common Property which is jointly owned by all of the individual Unit owners (for example yard space, landscaping, common stairwells and hallways). Although not required, it’s noted that underground parking spaces may be converted to individually titled Units.
  • Phased Condo (Subsequent Phases) - Stages that follow a site’s initial Phased Condominium subdivision. Each subsequent phase introduces one or more additional buildings (characterized as Units) and expands the site’s Common Property area (such as internal drive aisles and parking). The site will be incrementally developed until it is fully built out.
  • Condo Re-Division - Modifications to the delineation of one or more existing Units within a registered Condominium Plan. Note that Common Property cannot be revised once it’s registered with Land Titles. Only the Units may be altered.

Application Requirements

Review the Condominium Applications Checklist to determine which documents are required for your application type. Prepare the required documentation and submit according to the applicable process outlined below.

Application Process

Submission

The method of submission depends on the type of application.

  • Bare Land and Phased (Initial Phase) - These applications undergo a two-stage process with the City: Conditional Approval and Endorsement. Both stages are applied for online and application documents are uploaded.
  • Condo Conversion applications are applied for by email. Submit all necessary documents to subdivisions@edmonton.ca.
    • Email subject line should state: Condo Conversion Submission - site municipal address(es), your file number
      (for example: Condo Conversion Submission - 12345 123 Street NW, 256848PH2)

Review and Decision

The process can differ, depending on the application type.

  • Bare Land and Phased (Initial Phase) - These applications undergo a two-stage process with the City: Conditional Approval and Endorsement.

    • Conditional Approval - Upon receipt, the application is assigned to a file planner and undergoes preliminary review to ensure there is no outstanding information. The application is formally accepted for processing and a fees notice is issued. Once payment is processed, the application is circulated to technical reviewers for approximately three weeks, for their analysis and feedback.

      When all necessary responses are received and there are no outstanding concerns from the applicant or reviewers, a conditions of approval letter will be drafted and the application will advance to a Subdivision Authority meeting. The Subdivision Authority issues its decision. The applicant/owner works to fulfill any conditions of approval that are stated in the decision letter.

    • Endorsement - Once the applicant/owner has met all conditions in the Subdivision Authority’s decision letter, this stage of the subdivision process may proceed. Upon receipt, the endorsement application is assigned to a file planner and it undergoes preliminary review to ensure there is no outstanding information. The file planner’s review includes ensuring all conditions of approval have been met.

      Once endorsement review is complete, the Subdivision Authority signs endorsement forms which authorize the subdivision’s registration. At this point in the process, a fees notice is issued. Once payment is processed, the City’s endorsement documentation is issued. An Alberta Land Surveyor may proceed to register the Subdivision with the Alberta Land Titles Office.

  • Condo Conversion - These applications undergo a single stage process with the City.

    • Upon receipt, the application is assigned to a file planner and it undergoes preliminary review to ensure there is no outstanding information. The file planner’s review includes ensuring the Condominium Plan matches the site’s approved Development Permit and relevant building plans.

      Once review is complete, the Subdivision Authority signs a Condominium Consent form and obtains the Office of the City Clerk’s signature. At this point in the process, a fees notice is issued. Once payment is processed, the City’s completed decision documentation is issued. An Alberta Land Surveyor may proceed to register the Condominium Conversion Plan with the Alberta Land Titles Office.

Fees and Payment Options

Fee amounts are based on both the number and type of lots or units being created.

  • Bare Land and Phased Condo (Initial Phase) - These applications undergo a two-stage process with the City. Fees are assessed at both the Conditional Approval and Endorsement stages, in accordance with the City’s ​​Planning and Development Fee Schedules​​.
  • Condominium Conversion
    • The conversion fee is fixed at $40 per unit.

How to pay

  • Credit card by phone to 780-442-5054 (reference the City’s relevant file number); or
  • Cheque by mail
    • A brief cover letter should include the following information

      Attention: Blair McDowell 
      Condo Application
      City’s file number
      Your file number (if applicable)
      Site municipal address(es) and legal description(s)
    • Make the cheque payable to “City of Edmonton” and send it to

      Attention: Blair McDowell
      2nd Floor Edmonton Tower
      10111 - 104 Avenue NW
      Edmonton, AB   T5J 0J4

Application Processing Times

Timelines can vary based on the type and complexity of the application.

  • Bare Land and Phased (Initial Phase) - These applications undergo a two-stage process with the City: Conditional Approval and Endorsement.
    • Conditional Approval - Our team aims to process these applications within approximately 60 calendar days, from receipt of a complete application.
    • Endorsement - Our team aims to process these types of applications within approximately 18 calendar days, from receipt of a complete application.

Condo Conversion

  • Our team aims to process these types of applications within approximately 18 calendar days, from receipt of a complete application.