The intent of these Landscaping regulations is to contribute to a reasonable standard of liveability and appearance for developments, from the initial placement of the Landscaping through to its mature state, to provide a positive overall image for Edmonton and to encourage good environmental stewardship.
The provision of Landscaping, in accordance with this Bylaw, shall be a condition of the issuance of a Development Permit for any of the following types of new development:
Single Detached, Semi-detached, Duplex and Secondary Suite Housing in the RF1, RSL, RF2, RPL, RF3 and RF4 Zones;
Bylaw 17422
November 16, 2015
Effective Date: December 1, 2015
Row Housing, Stacked Row Housing and Apartment Housing in the RF3 Zone;
Bylaw 15201
Bylaw 15632
December 13, 2010
any development in the CMU, CCA, JAMSC, HA, HDR, RA7, RA8, RA9, RF5, RF6, RMU, UCRH, AND UW, Zones;
any Religious Assembly development in any Residential Zone;
any development in all Commercial Zones;
any development in all Industrial Zones;
any development in the US, PU, AP, MA, MA1, MA2, and MA3 Zones; and
Bylaw 17422
November 16, 2015
Effective Date: December 1, 2015
any development in all Direct Control Provisions unless specifically modified or excluded in a Direct Control Provision Bylaw or Area Redevelopment Plan Bylaw; and
any Discretionary Use proposed within the AGU and AGI Zones at the discretion of the Development Officer, provided the scope of the application is intended for future urban or industrial development.
The provision of Landscaping, in accordance with this Bylaw, shall also be a condition of the issuance of a Development Permit related to an existing development if the existing development shall be, as a consequence of the work that is the subject of the Development Permit, substantially enlarged or increased in capacity. This Section shall not apply to developments that consist solely of interior alterations or improvements or change of use that does not alter the building shell.
Landscaping in the RPL Zone shall be provided in accordance with subsection 130.4(15) of this Bylaw.
Bylaw 15632
December 13, 2010
Landscaping for Single Detached, Semi-detached, Duplex and Secondary Suite Housing in the RF1, RSL, RF2, RF3, RF4, RF5 and UCRH Zones and Row Housing and Stacked Row Housing in the RF5 Zone and the UCRH Zone, where they are not part of a Multi-unit Site Project Development, shall be provided in accordance with the following:
the owner of the property, or the owner's successors or assignees, shall be responsible for the placement and proper maintenance of landscaping on the Site. The Development Officer may require, as a condition of Development Permit approval, that the owner provide a guaranteed security in accordance with the provisions of subsection 55.6 of this Bylaw;
Bylaw 15735
June 20, 2011
except in the case that Dwellings are part of a Multi-unit Project Development, all Yards, visible from a public roadway, other than a Lane, on a Site developed with Single Detached, Semi-detached, Duplex or Secondary Suite or, in the RF5 or UCRH Zone, Row Housing or Stacked Row Housing, shall be seeded or sodded within 18 consecutive months of the occupancy of the development. Alternate forms of Landscaping, including hard decorative pavers, washed gravel, shale or similar treatments, flower beds or cultivated gardens, may be substituted for seeding or sodding, provided that all areas of exposed earth are designed as either flower beds or cultivated gardens; and
Bylaw 16945
September 22, 2014
except as required in subsection 130.4(15), the tree and shrub planting requirements of subsection 55.4(6) shall not apply to Single Detached, Semi-detached, Duplex or Secondary Suite Housing or, in the RF5 or UCRH Zone, Row Housing and Stacked Row Housing unless they are part of a Multi-unit Project Development, in which case the requirements in section 55.4(6) shall apply.
Every application for a development listed in subsection 55.2 shall include a Landscape Plan, drawn at a scale of 1 300 or larger, which clearly indicates and accurately identifies the following:
a key plan with a north arrow;
the property lines and dimensions of the Site;
the approximate or estimated location of land uses, building perimeters, and Landscaping on adjacent Sites;
adjacent public area features, such as streets, Lanes, driveways, vehicular entrances, street furniture and boulevard trees;
overhead, surface and underground utilities, and limits of easements;
Bylaw 16733
July 6, 2015
outlines of all Site structures to include the building footprints at Grade, location and type of underground structures and overhangs within the first two Storeys;
building entrances, porches, decks, steps, walkways, other hardsurfacing or hard landscaping features, parking areas, curbs, lighting, fencing, walls, screens, recreational facilities and garbage collection areas. Materials, colours and patterns shall be indicated;
Bylaw 16733
July 6, 2015
existing grading and final Site grading, including the direction of Site drainage, and berming shown on a grading plan in 0.5 m contours; and the geodetic elevations of proposed catch basin rim, the corners of the Lot(s), the top and bottom of retaining walls, and of the plant material to be retained;
Bylaw 17062
July 6, 2015
the Height and materials of all fencing, screens and walls;
existing trees and shrubs labelled by common name, botanical name, size, and condition of health. The sizes shall be graphically illustrated by the spread or canopy. In addition, the Calliper of tree trunks shall be identified. The Landscape Plan shall graphically illustrate the spread of the trees to be removed or relocated by the proposed construction;
Bylaw 17422
November 16, 2015
Effective Date: December 1, 2015
proposed trees, shrubs, perennials and ground covers labelled by common name, cross-referenced with a plant list identifying botanical name, quantity, size and method of planting; and
the method of watering the proposed Landscaping.
The Development Officer may consider an application for a Development Permit that does not provide all the information required by subsection 55.3(1) if, in the opinion of the Development Officer, the information provided is sufficient to show that the Landscaping provisions of the Bylaw shall be met.
The Development Officer shall approve the Landscape Plan as a condition of the Development Permit approval. Any changes to an approved Landscape Plan require the approval of the Development Officer prior to the Landscaping being installed.
Bylaw 15735
June 20, 2011
Bylaw 16733
July 6, 2015
All open space including Front Yards, Rear Yards, Side Yards and Yards, at Grade Amenity Areas, Private Outdoor Amenity Areas, Setback areas and Separation Spaces shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs, flower beds, grass, ground cover or suitable decorative hardsurfacing, in accordance with the Landscape Plan submitted pursuant to subsection 55.3 and approved by the Development Officer. This requirement shall not apply to those areas designated for parking and circulation, which shall be landscaped in accordance with subsection 55.8 of this Bylaw. The Development Officer may require Landscaping of areas within a Site that are intended for future development if, in the opinion of the Development Officer, the lack of Landscaping creates a potential negative visual impact, given the visibility of these areas from adjacent properties and public roadways.
Hardsurfaced areas such as walkways and plazas shall be enhanced with Landscaping, at the discretion of the Development Officer. Provision shall be made for adequate on-site pedestrian circulation, by means of sidewalks or walkways, to connect with public sidewalks and walkways adjacent to roadways or within right-of-ways abutting the Site.
Bylaw 17062
July 6, 2015
Any parking lot having eight or more parking spaces that is visible from an adjoining Site in a Residential or Commercial Zone, or from a public roadway other than a Lane, or from a Light Rail Transit line, shall have perimeter planting. The location, length, thickness and Height of such perimeter planting at maturity shall, in conjunction with a change in Grade or other natural or man-made features, be sufficient to provide substantial interruption of the view of the parking area from any adjoining Residential or Commercial Zone, and enhance the view of the parking area from any adjacent public roadway or Light Rail Transit line.
Bylaw 17422
November 16, 2015
Effective Date: December 1, 2015
Any trash collection area, open storage area, or outdoor service area, including any loading, unloading or vehicular service area that is visible from an adjoining Site in a Residential or Commercial Zone, or from a public roadway other than a Lane, or from a Light Rail Transit line, shall have screen planting. The location, length, thickness and Height of such screen planting at maturity shall, in conjunction with a change in Grade or other natural or man-made features, be sufficient to block the view from any adjoining Residential or Commercial Zone, or from the public roadway or Light Rail Transit line. Such screen planting shall be maintained to provide effective screening from the ground to a minimum Height of 1.85 m. If, in the opinion of the Development Officer, screen planting cannot reasonably be expected to survive, earth berming, masonry walls, wood fencing or other man-made features may be permitted as a substitution.
Bylaw 17062
July 6, 2015
If the Height of materials in an outdoor storage area would limit the effectiveness of screen planting required by subsection 55.4(4), a fence, wall, earth berm, or a combination thereof, may be substituted, subject to the approval of the Development Officer.
Trees and shrubs shall be provided in accordance with subsection 55.8. For development consisting of Residential Use Classes, the number of trees and shrubs provided shall be determined on the basis of the following:
Bylaw 15735
June 20, 2011
Bylaw 16733
July 6, 2015
one tree for each 35 m2 and one shrub for each 15 m2 of Setback at Grade; and
one tree for each 20 m2 and one shrub for each 10 m2 of required parking area islands. In no case shall there be less than one tree per required parking area island.
For development consisting of Non-residential Use Classes, the number of trees and shrubs provided shall be determined on the basis of the following:
Bylaw 15735
June 20, 2011
Bylaw 16733
July 6, 2015
one tree for each 25 m2 and one shrub for each 15 m2 of Setback at Grade; and
one tree for each 20 m2 and one shrub for each 10 m2 of required parking area islands. In no case shall there be less than one tree per required parking area island
Existing vegetation shall be preserved and protected unless removal is demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Development Officer, to be necessary or desirable to efficiently accommodate the proposed development. Trees and shrubs preserved on the Site may, at the discretion of the Development Officer, be credited to the total landscaping requirements.
All planting shall be installed to the finished Grade. Where this is not practical in the opinion of the Development Officer, planters may be used. Such planters shall be of adequate design, having sufficient soil capacity and insulation to promote healthy growth.
Bylaw 16126
June 18, 2012
Landscaping that extends onto or over City-owned lands shall be developed in accordance with the Traffic Bylaw 5590 and the City Design & Construction Standards.
The Development Officer may, where the Development Officer considers it appropriate, vary any or all of the General Landscaping regulations of this Bylaw. Before granting a variance of the landscaping regulations, the Development Officer may require the applicant seeking the reduction of the minimum landscaping standards of this Bylaw to submit a report from a qualified landscape professional, such as a horticulturist, or landscape architect, explaining and justifying the reduction.
The Development Officer shall require the application of additional Landscaping regulations to those specified in subsection 55:
there is a likelihood that the proposed development shall generate undesirable impacts on surrounding Sites, such as poor appearance, excessive noise, light, odours, traffic, litter or dust;
there is a likelihood that undesirable impacts may be generated on the Site, and cause conflicts among Use Classes within the development; or
such additional Landscaping is warranted due to combinations of Use Classes including, but not limited to the following:
Bylaw 15632
December 13, 2010
Row Housing or Stacked Row Housing development, where the Private Outdoor Amenity Area of the Row Housing or Stacked Row Housing units faces Single Detached Housing or Sites zoned for Single Detached Housing as a Permitted Use, public roadways other than Lanes, or Light Rail Transit lines;
Low Rise Apartments, where developed on an infill basis abutting existing Single Detached Housing or land Sites for Single Detached Housing as a Permitted Use;
Religious Assembly development directly adjacent to a Residential Use Class;
any Non-accessory Parking development; or
Vehicle Oriented Uses where located on a Site adjacent to residential uses.
The additional Landscaping that may be required at the discretion of the Development Officer may include, but is not limited to, the following:
additional Separation Space between incompatible Use Classes;
the use of trees, shrubs, fences, walls and berms to buffer or screen Use Classes that generate negative impacts; and,
the use of trees, shrubs, planting beds, street furniture and surface treatments to enhance the appearance of a proposed development.
The Development Officer may consult with a qualified landscape professional, such as a horticulturist or landscape architect, in determining if additional Landscaping requirements are to be imposed, and the type of additional Landscaping required.
Bylaw 17422
November 16, 2015
Effective Date: December 1, 2015
The Development Officer may require, as a condition of Development Permit approval, a guaranteed Landscaping security, from the property owner, to ensure that Landscaping is provided and maintained for two growing seasons. Only the following forms of security are acceptable:
cheque to a value equal to 100% of the landscaping cost; or
an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of 100% of the Landscaping cost.
The estimated cost of the Landscaping shall be calculated by the owner or the owner's representative and shall be based on the information provided on the Landscape Plan. If, in the opinion of the Development Officer, these estimated costs are inadequate, the Development Officer may establish a higher Landscaping cost figure for the purposes of determining the value of the Landscaping security.
If the Landscaping security is offered in the form of a cheque it shall be cashed and held, by the City, without interest payable, until, by confirmation through inspection by the Development Officer, the Landscaping has been installed and successfully maintained for two growing seasons. Partial refund after installation of the Landscaping or after one growing season shall be considered upon request of the owner, at the sole discretion of the Development Officer.
If a letter of credit is offered as the Landscaping security, it shall be in a form satisfactory to the Development Officer. The initial term of the letter of credit shall be one year. The letter of credit shall be renewed by the owner 30 days prior to expiry and delivered to the Development Officer until such time as the Landscaping has been installed and maintained for two growing seasons.
Upon application by the owner or the owner's representative, a letter of credit may be amended to a reduced amount, for attachment to the original letter of credit, at the discretion of the Development Officer, when any of the following events occur:
the required Landscaping has been properly installed; and
the required Landscaping has been well maintained and is in a healthy condition after one growing season.
Upon application by the owner or the owner's representative, a letter of credit shall be fully released if the required Landscaping has been well maintained and is in a healthy condition after two growing seasons.
Any letter of credit shall allow for partial draws by the City if the Landscaping is not completed in accordance with the approved Landscape Plan(s) within one growing season after completion of the development; or the Landscaping is not well maintained and in a healthy condition two growing seasons after completion of the Landscaping. The City may draw on a cashed security or a letter of credit and the amount thereof shall be paid to the City for its use absolutely. All expenses incurred by the City, to renew or draw upon any letter of credit, shall be reimbursed by the owner to the City by payment of invoice or from the proceeds of the letter of credit.
In the event the owner does not complete the required Landscaping, or fails to maintain the Landscaping in a healthy condition for the specified periods of time, and the value of the cashed cheque or the proceeds from the letter of credit are insufficient for the City to complete the required work should it elect to do so, then the owner shall pay the deficiency to the City immediately upon being invoiced. The City shall provide an accounting to the owner indicating how the proceeds of the letter of credit were applied, within 60 days of completing or maintaining the landscaping.
Upon receipt of a written request from the parties involved in the development, including but not limited to the property owner, condominium association or the issuer of the Letter of Credit, an inspection of the finished Landscaping shall be completed by the Development Officer. Inspections shall be made during the normal growing season, between May 01 and September 30. All reasonable effort shall be made by the Development Officer to perform the inspection within 20 working days of receipt of the inspection request.
All plant materials shall be hardy to the Edmonton area and to the actual Site conditions. The most current edition of the "Alberta Horticultural Guide" shall be used as a reference by the Development Officer.
All plant materials shall meet the horticultural standards of the most current edition of the "Guide Specifications for Nursery Stock", produced by the Canadian Nursery Trade Association.
All planting shall conform to the following:
the proportion of deciduous to coniferous trees and shrubs shall be approximately 50:50; and
the following mix of tree sizes shall be used:
50% of required deciduous trees shall be a minimum 50 mm Calliper and 50% shall be a minimum 75 mm Calliper; and
Bylaw 17062
July 6, 2015
75% of required coniferous trees shall be a minimum of 2.5 m in Height and 25% shall be a minimum 3.5 m in Height.
The regulations regarding the required Specifications for Plant Materials of this Bylaw may be waived by the Development Officer at the request of a qualified landscape professional, such as a horticulturist or landscape architect, acting on behalf of the property owner.