Development in Your Neighbourhood

The City is responsible for ensuring that developments comply with applicable City requirements and are constructed in accordance with city bylaws, applicable minimum safety standards and the issued permits.

Development Permits

• The City issues Development Permits, documents which confirm that developments comply with the Zoning Bylaw. There may be other requirements, like restrictive covenants or caveats on title or property, that the applicant must consider when developing their land, but these do not inform Development Permit decisions.
• If the development does not comply with one or more regulations, the Development Planner may grant a variance in accordance with the processes specified in the Zoning Bylaw.
• Development Permits for new principal buildings, substantial redevelopment and demolition in redeveloping neighbourhoods require that signage be posted on the site within 14 days of the permit becoming valid.
  • Development signage requirements

Building and Trades Permits

• The City issues Building and trades permits documents after processing an application. During the permit application process, the City audits the design of a project. It confirms that the construction intentions comply with minimum safety standards enacted under the Alberta Safety Codes Act.

Building Inspections and Compliance

• Residential and Commercial inspections are an essential part of the permit process. City inspections do a point-in-time audit to ensure the work meets the minimum safety standards.
• City inspectors enforce the rules and regulations applicable to the construction.

Lot Grading and Landscaping Inspections

• Where required by the Drainage and Zoning Bylaws, City inspectors determine the proposed development is graded and landscaped in accordance with its approved plans.

Tree Protection

• Administer the Public Tree Permit process which helps people working near City-owned trees work with the City’s Urban Forestry team to preserve and protect public trees near their worksites.

Construction Practices

• Enforce city bylaw requirements including the hours of construction and keeping streets, alleys and sidewalks clean and clear of debris, garbage and materials.  

Contact the City of Edmonton

Download the 311 App, call 311, email 311@edmonton.ca, or submit a request through 311.edmonton.ca to be connected with the City group that can resolve the issue or provide you with more information.

Builders and owners must be familiar with their responsibilities, best practices and guidelines associated with a construction project including:

• Prepare and maintain a Project Implementation Plan (PIP) to safeguard the health and safety of the public, adjacent properties and infrastructure
• Build in compliance with minimum safety standards and issued permits
• Install Development Permit notification signs for the duration of construction
• Limit excavation and construction to within the property line
• Keep streets, alleys and sidewalks clean and clear of debris, garbage and materials
• Follow hours of construction:
  • Monday-Saturday: 7am-9pm
  • Sunday and Statutory Holidays: 9am-7pm
• Protect public property including curbs, trees and boulevards
• Ensure stormwater is directed towards an alley or street and does not cross onto neighbouring private property during construction

Contact the Builder

To share any concerns or inquire about the builder’s responsibilities, contact the builder directly. Contact information is available on the Development Permit notification sign posted on the site.

Access available resources and tips below to learn more on how to prepare for neighbouring redevelopment.

Resources

• Search maps.edmonton.ca to see what type of development is allowed on your property through the Zoning Bylaw and to see nearby development applications.
• Explore the available resources related to the new Zoning Bylaw.
• Review the City’s Lot Grading Guidelines:
  • Small scale residential
  • Non-residential and Multi-unit residential
• Visit the New Home Construction page for application requirements.

Tips

• Connect with the builder early in the development process to learn more about the housing project, discuss concerns, and provide feedback. The builder can share information like the plot plan and elevation (the design plan for the exterior of the house), project timelines, lot grading and how they plan to protect trees.
• Consider documenting the current state of your property prior to construction as outlined in the “Plan” section of the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) Guide (such as photos of your yard, house exterior and fence).
• Consider contacting your property insurer for advice.
• Look into options to assess your foundation and to document its current condition, if you have concerns  about the effects of excavation or vibration.
• Report unsafe working conditions to Alberta Occupational Health and Safety at 780-415-8690 or online at alberta.ca.
• Consider obtaining a Real Property Report (RPR) through any Alberta Land Surveyor. An RPR is a legal drawing that clearly indicates the location of physical features such as the house footprint, driveway and fences relative to property lines Alberta Land Surveyors’ Association.  
• Book a free flood prevention home check-up by EPCOR by visiting epcor.com.