Bylaw 17062
July 9, 2015
Bylaw 17672
June 27, 2016
The intent of these Landscaping regulations is to contribute to a reasonable standard of livability 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.
Bylaw 17672
June 27, 2016
Charter Bylaw 18967
August 26, 2019
Unless otherwise specified in this Bylaw, or developed as part of a Multi-unit Project Development, all new Single Detached Housing, Semi-detached Housing, Duplex Housing and Row Housing shall be Landscaped in accordance with the following:
Landscaping shall be provided on a Site within 18 months of the occupancy of a development or commencement of a Use;
Trees and shrubs shall be maintained on a Site for a minimum of 42 months after the occupancy of a development or commencement of a Use;
all applications for a Development Permit listed in subsection 55.2(1) shall include a Site plan that identifies:
the number, type and approximate size of existing trees and shrubs;
trees and shrubs proposed for preservation;
the number, type and approximate size of proposed trees and shrubs; and
proposed ground cover;
trees and shrubs shall be provided in accordance with Table 55.2(1)(d), as follows:
Measure |
Table 55.2(1)(d) Tree and Shrub Planting Requirements |
||
Site Width |
Single Detached Housing |
Semi-Detached Housing and Duplex Housing (per Dwelling) |
Charter Bylaw 18967 August 26, 2019 Row Housing (per Dwelling) |
Less than 10.0 m |
One deciduous tree, one coniferous tree and four shrubs |
One deciduous tree, one coniferous tree and four shrubs |
One deciduous tree, one coniferous tree and four shrubs |
10.0 m – 13.0 m |
Two deciduous trees, one coniferous tree and six shrubs |
||
Greater than 13.0 m |
Two deciduous trees, two coniferous trees and eight shrubs |
One deciduous tree, one coniferous tree and six shrubs |
|
new trees and shrubs shall be provided on the following basis:
deciduous trees shall be a minimum 50 mm Caliper;
coniferous trees shall be a minimum of 2.5 m in Height;
deciduous shrubs shall be a minimum of 300 mm in Height; and
coniferous shrubs shall have a minimum spread of 450 mm;
trees and shrubs required in Table 55.2(1)(d) may be provided either through the planting of new trees and shrubs, or the preservation of existing trees and shrubs in accordance with Section 55.6;
all Yards visible from a public roadway, other than a Lane, shall be seeded or sodded;
at the discretion of the Development Officer, seeding or sodding may be substituted with alternate forms of ground cover, including hard decorative pavers, washed rock, shale or similar treatments, perennials, or artificial turf, provided that all areas of exposed earth are designed as either flower beds or cultivated gardens; and
Bylaw 17832
November 28, 2016
Bylaw 18305
February 26, 2018
Effective Date: May 1, 2018
notwithstanding Section 11.3, a Development Officer may vary the proportion of deciduous to coniferous trees required in Table 55.2(1)(d), in which case the application shall not be a Class B Development.
Bylaw 17672
June 27, 2016
Bylaw 17831
November 28, 2016
Unless otherwise specified in this Bylaw, Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the following:
Charter Bylaw 18967
August 26, 2019
for new Multi-unit Project Development consisting of Single Detached Housing, Semi-detached Housing, Duplex Housing, Row Housing, Multi-unit Housing or for new Mobile Homes when developed as part of a Mobile Home Park, the number of trees and shrubs shall be determined on the basis of the following:
Charter Bylaw 19275
June 23, 2020
Effective: July 2, 2020
a minimum of one tree for each 35 m2 and one shrub for each 15 m2 of Setback;
a minimum of one deciduous tree that is well-suited to survive in a high traffic environment for each 20 m2 and one shrub for each 10 m2 of Parking Area island, in addition to the general planting requirements; and
in no case shall there be less than one deciduous tree that is well-suited to survive in a high traffic environment per Parking Area island, in addition to the general planting requirements.
for new development consisting of Residential-Related Use Classes, Commercial Use Classes, Industrial Use Classes, Basic Services Use Classes, and Community, Educational, Recreational and Cultural Service Use Classes, the number of trees and shrubs provided shall be determined on the basis of the following:
Charter Bylaw 19275
June 23, 2020
Effective: July 2, 2020
a minimum of one tree for each 25 m2 and one shrub for each 15 m2 of Setback;
a minimum of one deciduous tree that is well-suited to survive in a high traffic environment for each 20 m2 and one shrub for each 10 m2 of Parking Area island, in addition to the general planting requirements; and
in no case shall there be less than one deciduous tree that is well-suited to survive in a high traffic environment per Parking Area island, in addition to the general planting requirements;
new trees and shrubs shall be provided on the following basis:
Charter Bylaw 19503
February 9, 2021
the proportion of deciduous to coniferous trees and shrubs shall be approximately 50:50 except that, where landscaping exceeds the minimum planting quantity and proportions specified, deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs exceeding the minimums may be provided in any proportion;
approximately 50% of required deciduous trees shall be minimum of 50 mm Caliper and approximately 50% shall be a minimum 70 mm Caliper;
approximately 75% of required coniferous trees shall be a minimum of 2.5 m in Height and approximately 25% shall be a minimum of 3.5 m in Height; and
minimum shrub size shall be 300 mm in Height for deciduous and a spread of 450 mm for coniferous;
Bylaw 17831
November 28, 2016
Bylaw 18305
February 26, 2018
Effective Date: May 1, 2018
Notwithstanding Section 11.4, the Development Officer may vary subsection 55.3(1)(b) and subsection 55.3(1)(c) for a Public Park Use, in consultation with Parks and Biodiversity, in which case the application shall not be a Class B Discretionary Development.
Charter Bylaw 18387
May 7, 2018
all open space including Front Yards, Rear Yards, Side Yards and Yards, Amenity Areas at ground level, Private Outdoor Amenity Areas, Setback areas and Separation Spaces shall be landscaped with flower beds, grass, ground cover or suitable decorative hardscaping in addition to trees and shrubs. This requirement shall not apply to those areas designated for parking or vehicular circulation.
Bylaw 18169
September 11, 2017
Notwithstanding subsection 55.3(1)(e), for Industrial Uses on Sites Abutting a Transportation/Utility Corridor, Calgary Trail N.W., Gateway Boulevard N.W., Sherwood Park Freeway N.W., Stony Plain Road N.W., or Yellowhead Trail N.W., all required trees may be located in the Front Yard and the Yard Abutting the roadway specified, for the purpose of screening.
Bylaw 17935
April 10, 2017
Effective: June 1, 2017
required Landscaping shall be maintained in a healthy condition for a minimum of 24 months after a Development Officer determines, at the time of Development Permit Inspection, that the required Landscaping has been installed
Bylaw 17672
June 27, 2016
Every application for a development listed in Section 55.3 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;
property lines and dimensions of the Site;
the approximate or estimated location of 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;
Charter Bylaw 18387
May 7, 2018
outlines of all Site structures to include the building footprints at ground level, location and type of underground structures and overhangs within the first two Storeys;
Bylaw 17727
August 22, 2016
building entrances, porches, decks, steps, Walkways, other Hardsurfacing or hardscaping features, parking areas, curbs, lighting, Fencing, walls, screens, recreational facilities and garbage collection areas. Materials, colours and patterns shall be indicated;
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 17727
August 22, 2016
the Height and materials of all Fencing, screens and walls;
trees and shrubs proposed for preservation;
existing trees and shrubs labelled by common name, botanical name, size, and condition of health;
graphical illustration of the canopy and spread of existing and proposed trees and shrubs;
Bylaw 17935
April 10, 2017
Effective: June 1, 2017
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;
the method of providing water to, and maintaining, the proposed Landscaping; and
a cost estimate for the completion of the proposed Landscaping. This cost estimate shall include taxes and a minimum 10% standard contingency.
Bylaw 17935
April 10, 2017
Effective: June 1, 2017
The Development Officer may consider an application for a Development Permit that does not provide all the information required by subsection 55.4(1) if, in the opinion of the Development Officer, the information provided is sufficient to show that the Landscaping provisions of the Bylaw will be met .
The Development Officer shall approve the Landscape Plan as a condition of the Development Permit. Any changes to an approved Landscape Plan require the approval of the Development Officer prior to the Landscaping being installed.
Bylaw 17935
April 10, 2017
Effective: June 1, 2017
The Development Officer, as a condition of Development Permit approval, shall require that the required Landscaping be maintained in a healthy condition for a minimum of 24 months after a Development Officer determines, at the time of Development Permit Inspection, that the required Landscaping has been installed.
Bylaw 17672
June 27, 2016
Notwithstanding Sections 55.2 and 55.3 referring to new 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, as a consequence of the work that is the subject of the Development Permit, is 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.
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. Adequate on-Site pedestrian circulation means Hardsurfaced sidewalks or Walkways connecting the main entrance of all on-Site principal buildings to public sidewalks and Walkways adjacent to roadways or within rights-of-ways Abutting the Site.
Any parking lot having eight or more parking spaces that is visible from an Abutting Site in a Residential or Commercial Zone, or from a public roadway other than a Lane, or from a LRT 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 lot.
Bylaw 17727
August 22, 2016
Any trash collection area, open storage area, or outdoor service area, including any loading, unloading or vehicular service area that is visible from an Abutting Site in a Residential or Commercial Zone, or from a public roadway other than a Lane, or from a LRT line, shall have screen planting a minimum of 1.85 m in Height. 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 Abutting Residential or Commercial Zone, or from the public roadway or a LRT line. 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 17727
August 22, 2016
If the Height of materials in an outdoor storage area would limit the effectiveness of screen planting required by subsection 55.5(6), a Fence, wall, earth berm, or a combination thereof, may be substituted, subject to the approval of the Development Officer.
Charter Bylaw 18387
May 7, 2018
All planting shall be installed at 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.
Charter Bylaw 19275
June 23, 2020
Effective: July 2, 2020
Soil depth for landscaping in Outdoor Amenity Areas shall be of a sufficient depth to contribute to healthy root development for the tree or shrub species specified in the landscape plan.
An Underground Parkade developed to Abut a street that is identified as neighbourhood streets in the Urban Design Framework for Downtown Streets within the Capital City Downtown Plan, Bylaw 15200 shall be located sufficiently belowground to result in soil depth for landscaping in Outdoor Amenity Areas that is sufficient to contribute to healthy root development for the tree or shrub species specified in the landscape plan.
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.
All plant materials shall be hardy to the Edmonton area and to the Site conditions.
All plant materials shall meet the horticultural standards of the most current edition of the "Canadian Standard for Nursery Stock", produced by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.
Bylaw 18169
September 11, 2017
For Industrial Uses on Sites that are unserviced at the time of application, a minimum of 50% of plant materials shall be native to the Edmonton area.
The Development Officer may, where the Development Officer considers it appropriate, vary any or all of the Landscaping regulations of this Bylaw. Before granting a variance to the Landscaping standards of this Bylaw, the Development Officer may require the applicant to submit a report from a qualified landscape professional, such as a horticulturist, or landscape architect, explaining and justifying the variance.
Bylaw 17672
June 27, 2016
Existing vegetation should be preserved and protected unless removal is demonstrated to be necessary or desirable to efficiently accommodate the proposed development.
The requirement to provide trees and shrubs may be satisfied either through planting new or preserving existing trees and shrubs.
At the discretion of the Development Officer, an existing tree may satisfy the requirement to provide one tree where:
an existing deciduous tree with a minimum Caliper of 100 mm; or
an existing coniferous tree with a minimum Height of 4.0 m is preserved.
At the discretion of the Development Officer, an existing tree may satisfy the requirement to provide two trees where:
an existing deciduous tree has a minimum Caliper of 200 mm; or
an existing coniferous tree has a minimum Height of 7.0 m is preserved.
Preserved shrubs may, at the discretion of the Development Officer, be credited towards the Landscaping requirements.
Bylaw 17672
June 27, 2016
The Development Officer may require Landscaping in addition to that specified in Section 55 if:
there is a likelihood that the proposed development will generate undesirable impacts on surrounding Sites and between Uses within the development, such as poor appearance, excessive noise, light, odours, traffic, litter or dust;
such additional Landscaping is warranted due to combinations of Uses including, but not limited to the following:
Bylaw 18303
February 26, 2018
Charter Bylaw 18967
August 26, 2019
Row Housing development, where the Amenity Area for the Row Housing faces Single Detached Housing or a Site zoned to allow Single Detached Housing as a Permitted Use, public roadways other than a Lane, or a LRT line;
Multi-unit Housing, where developed on an infill basis, Abutting existing Single Detached Housing or a Site zoned to allow Single Detached Housing as a Permitted Use;
Religious Assembly where developed on a Site Abutting an existing Residential Use or a Site zoned to allow Single Detached Housing as a Permitted Use;
Charter Bylaw 19275
June 23, 2020
Effective: July 2, 2020
any Vehicle Parking; or
Vehicle-Oriented Uses where developed on a Site adjacent to an existing Residential Use, or a Site zoned to allow Single Detached Housing as a Permitted Use.
Additional Landscaping required by the Development Officer may include, but is not limited to, the following:
additional Separation Space between incompatible Use Classes;
Bylaw 17727
August 22, 2016
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: December 1, 2015
Bylaw 17935
April 10, 2017
Effective: June 1, 2017
The Development Officer shall require, as a condition of Development Permit approval, a Guaranteed Landscaping Security from the property owner at the time of Development Permit Inspection, for every application for a development listed in Section 55.3. This Security shall be determined by the Development Officer based on the information provided with the Landscape Plan.
The cost of the required Landscaping shall be determined by the Development Officer based on the information provided with the Landscape Plan. If, in the opinion of the Development Officer, the estimated cost to provide the Landscaping is inadequate, the Development Officer may require a higher Landscaping cost for the purpose of determining the security required.
A Guaranteed Landscaping Security shall only be accepted in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit or a cheque.
If the Guaranteed Landscaping Security is offered in the form of a cheque, it shall be cashed and held by the City, without interest payable, until the Development Officer confirms that the required Landscaping has been maintained in a healthy condition for a minimum of 24 months.
If the Guaranteed Landscaping Security is offered in the form of a letter of credit, the following shall apply:
the letter of credit shall be in a form satisfactory to the Development Officer and shall allow for partial draws by the City;
the initial term of the letter of credit shall be for at least 30 months and shall automatically renew until such time as the Guaranteed Landscaping Security is no longer required;
the letter of credit may be amended to a reduced amount, at the discretion of the Development Officer, if the required Landscaping is partially completed; and
the letter of credit shall be fully released when the Development Officer determines that the required Landscaping has been maintained in a healthy condition for a minimum of 24 months.
If the property owner demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Development Officer that the required landscaping has been fully installed at the time of a Development Permit Inspection, the required Guaranteed Landscaping Security shall be reduced to 20% of the cost of the required Landscaping to ensure the required Landscaping is maintained in a healthy condition for a minimum of 24 months.
If the required Landscaping is not completed within one growing season of the provision of the Guaranteed Landscaping Security, the City may draw on the security for the City’s use absolutely. All expenses incurred by the City, to renew or draw upon the security, shall be reimbursed by the property owner to the City by payment of an invoice or from the proceeds of the letter of credit.
In the event that the Guaranteed Landscaping Security is insufficient for the City to complete the required Landscaping should it elect to do so, the property owner shall pay the deficiency to the City immediately upon being invoiced. The City shall provide an accounting to the property owner indicating how the proceeds of the security were applied, within 60 days of the completing the required Landscaping.
Further to section 55.8(7), if the Development Officer determines that the required Landscaping has not been maintained in a healthy condition for a minimum of 24 months after the landscaping has been deemed to be complete, the City may draw on the Guaranteed Landscaping Security for the City’s use to maintain or replace improperly maintained Landscaping. All expenses incurred by the City, to renew or draw upon the letter of credit, shall be reimbursed by the owner to the City by payment of an invoice or from the proceeds of the letter of credit.
Further to section 55.8(8), in the event that the Guaranteed Landscaping Security is insufficient for the City to complete maintenance or replace improperly maintained Landscaping should it elect to do so, the property owner shall pay the deficiency to the City immediately upon being invoiced. The City shall provide an accounting to the property owner indicating how the proceeds of the security were applied, within 60 days of completing the maintenance or replacing the improperly maintained Landscaping.
Bylaw 17935
April 10, 2017
Effective: June 1, 2017
Bylaw 17973
April 27, 2017
Except where developed as part of a Multi-unit Project Development, for Single Detached Housing, Semi-detached Housing and Row Housing, the area covered by Impermeable Material shall not exceed 70 percent of the total Lot area.
Notwithstanding subsection 55.3(1), for Row Housing where vehicular access is not provided from a Lane, the area covered by Impermeable Material shall not exceed 75 percent of the total Lot area.
Notwithstanding the definition of Impermeable Material, the area of building coverage developed with a Green Roof shall not be included in the calculation of Impermeable Material.