Technical Studies and Guiding Reports

The Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative will be informed by a series of technical studies, guiding reports and engagement activities.

Technical Studies

Using data and analysis to look at zoning issues, challenges and opportunities.

Discussion Papers: These papers explored various topics and zones, and provided preliminary thinking and direction for the new Zoning Bylaw's regulatory framework. The feedback from the discussion papers engagements helped further refine the proposed approaches in various topics in the new Zoning Bylaw.

• Philosophy of the New Zoning Bylaw
• Overview of Discussion Papers
• Nodes and Corridors
• Residential Zones
• Commercial and Industrial Zones
• Agricultural and Rural Zones
• Open Spaces and Civic Services Zones
• Special Area Zones
• Direct Control Zones
• Notifications and Variances
• Overlays
• Signs
• Climate Resilience and Energy Transition
• Economy
• University of Alberta Study:  Funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), this study explores the intersection between zoning, equity, and human rights.
• Technology and Implementation:  This study explores the City’s services, processes, and technology, and how changes to the new Zoning Bylaw can improve the user experience, for both internal and external stakeholders.

Engagement Reports

Engagement activities with residents, businesses, industry, community organizations and more.

• What We Heard Report: Public Engagement June-July 2021:  Engagement activities focused on 3 specific topics: Approach to Zones, Approach to Uses and Approach to Residential Areas; each with a range of ideas to explore.
• Community Conversations (2020):  Conversations with community members were facilitated to explore and understand how zoning impacts Edmontonians’ daily lives. Explicit attention was given to ensuring people, specifically Black, Indigenous, and racialized, underrepresented, and marginalized communities, were invited to participate.
• What We Heard Report: Discussion Papers (2020):  This report summarizes the feedback received through the Discussion Paper engagement that occurred between July-November 2020. 

• ​ ​City Plan Engagement​ Data Analysis: Zoning: This report summarizes how previous City Plan engagement data were reviewed through a zoning lens, to confirm and validate the direction and philosophy of the new Zoning Bylaw.

•   What We Heard Report: Public Engagement Events (2018-2019):  This report summarizes the engagement activities that led to the direction and philosophy of the new Zoning Bylaw.

Guiding Reports

Information, tools and resources related to zoning.

Urban Planning Committee Reports

• Urban Planning Committee Report #1:
  Zoning Bylaw Renewal Principles and Approach (April 9, 2019)
• Urban Planning Committee Report #2:
  Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative Update and Next Steps (February 2, 2021)
• ​Urban Planning Committee Report #3:
  Zoning Bylaw Renewal Approaches and Structure of the New Zoning Bylaw (June 29, 2021)​
• Urban Planning Committee Report:
  Zoning Bylaw 2020 Work Plan (February 11, 2020)

Other Key Reports

• Philosophy of the New Zoning Bylaw
• History of Zoning