Edmonton’s Zoning Bylaw requires landscaping for non-residential, large-scale residential (5+ units) and mixed-use developments.
A landscape security is collected by the City to cover the cost of landscaping and ensures that landscaping is completed according to Section 5.60 of the Zoning Bylaw and the approved development permit plans.
Landscape Security Process Changes
Starting May 1, 2025, the landscape security process is changing:
- Landscape securities will be collected at the time of a development permit application
- Plans will not be released for building permit review until the security is received and accepted
- Bonds will be accepted as a method of security payment. For more information on bonds, see the Landscape Security Submission Guide and Landscaping Bond Agreement Template
Securities are required for major development permits (commercial, industrial, and multi-unit residential), and are held until the inspector confirms that the required landscaping has been maintained in a healthy condition for a minimum of 24 months.
Incentives to Preserve Existing Trees and Shrubs
Existing plant material should be preserved and protected unless removal is demonstrated to be necessary or desirable to accommodate a proposed development. Tree and shrub requirements for a new development may be satisfied by preserving existing trees and shrubs at the rates specified in Table 7.2 of Section 5.60 of the Zoning Bylaw.
Table 7.2. Substituting Required Trees or Shrubs
| Subsection | Requirement | Preserved Trees or Shrubs that can be Substituted |
|---|---|---|
| 7.2.1. | 2 trees | 1 existing deciduous tree with a minimum 100 mm caliper; or 1 existing coniferous tree with a minimum height of 4.0 m |
| 7.2.2. | 3 trees | 1 existing deciduous tree with a minimum 200 mm caliper; or 1 existing coniferous tree with a minimum height of 7.0 m |
| 7.2.3. | 1 shrub | 1 existing deciduous shrub with a minimum height of 300 mm; or 1 existing coniferous shrub with a minimum spread of 450 mm |
Finding Your Zone
When reviewing the regulations in the Zoning Bylaw, you need to consider:
- Section 5.60 Landscaping
- Zone applied to your property
- Overlays, special areas and applicable plans in effect
Visit maps.edmonton.ca to find your property’s zone. Search using your property address.
Landscape Security Estimator
Enter the number of items into the table to calculate the estimated landscape security.
All landscape securities include 20% maintenance, 10% contingency and 5% for GST (used in cases where the City must draw on the security).
Unit prices are determined each year based on the Landscape Security Cost Rates.
Calculator Disclaimer
This calculator provides an estimate for landscape securities for permits issued on or after May 1, 2025. It is not a substitute for a Development Planner's review, and final requirements will be determined during the development permit process. The City of Edmonton does not guarantee the accuracy of this information and is not liable for its use. You rely on the information contained in this calculator at your own risk.
| Item | Unit | Unit Price | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planting Bed Construction ⓘ Includes excavation to 300mm depth, installation of class 'B' topsoil, and 100mm of coniferous shredded bark mulch. | m² | $55.18 | $55.18 | |
| Sod ⓘ Supply and install sod over 150mm class ‘B’ compacted topsoil as per City of Edmonton standards. | m² | $29.37 | $29.37 | |
| Tree ⓘ Supply and install as per City of Edmonton standards. | per | $617.45 | $617.45 | |
| Shrub ⓘ Supply and install as per City of Edmonton standards. | per | $61.49 | $61.49 | |
| Soft Cost Total | $763.49 | |||
| 20% Maintenance | $152.70 | |||
| 5% GST | $45.81 | |||
| 10% Contingency | $96.20 | |||
| Total Estimated Landscape Security | $1,058.20 | |||
For Development Permits Approved April 30, 2025 and Earlier
Submit your landscape plan for review along with your Development Permit Application.
Install the landscaping based on the approved landscape plan. If you experience unexpected installation issues, contact the City Landscape Team to confirm you meet the City’s requirements. Your approved landscape plan will need to be updated.
To obtain final lot grading approval, contact 311 to request a lot grading inspection.
See Commercial and Multi-unit Lot Grading for more details about the lot grading inspection and approval process.
Note: Landscape securities cannot be released unless lot grading is completed.
Request a landscape inspection
Once your final lot grading has been approved and your landscaping is fully installed, an inspector will confirm whether the installed landscaping matches the landscaping plan that was approved as part of the initial development permit process.
Landscape inspections are conducted on a seasonal basis only.
A landscape security must be submitted upon request after an inspection has occurred.
Landscape Security Submission Instructions
For compliant landscaping with completed lot grading, the security amount is determined based on 20% of the estimated cost of soft landscaping shown in the approved plan. Additional costs may be included based on any deficiencies found at inspection, up to 100% of the estimated cost. Sites with incomplete lot grading are required to submit a 100% security.
A landscape security is held by the City of Edmonton for a maintenance period of 24 months. Once the maintenance period ends, a final inspection can be requested to have the security released. The landscaped site must be in good condition for the security to be released.
For Development Permits Approved May 1, 2025 and Onwards
Submit your landscape plan for review along with your Development Permit Application.
As a condition of Development Permit approval, you will be required to submit the landscape security before plans are released for Building Permit review. In cases where no Building Permit is required, the landscape security must be submitted before the Development Permit is approved.
The security amount is determined based on 100% of the estimated cost of soft landscaping to meet Zoning Bylaw minimums.
Install the landscaping based on the approved landscape plan. If you experience unexpected installation issues, contact the City Landscape Team to confirm you meet the City’s requirements.
If the installed landscaping significantly differs from the approved landscape plan, your approved landscape plan will need to be updated.
To obtain final lot grading approval, contact 311 to request a lot grading inspection.
See Commercial and Multi-unit Lot Grading for more details about the lot grading inspection and approval process.
Note: Landscape securities cannot be released unless lot grading is completed.
Request a landscape inspection
Once your final lot grading has been approved and your landscaping is fully installed, an inspector will confirm whether installed landscaping matches the most recent approved landscaping plan.
Landscape inspections are conducted on a seasonal basis only.
If at the time of first landscape inspection, the landscaping is successfully installed, up to 80% of the landscape security may be released. At least 20% is held by the City of Edmonton for a maintenance period of 24 months.
Once the maintenance period ends, a final inspection can be requested to have the remaining security released. The landscaped site must be in good condition for the security to be released.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting May 1, 2025 landscaping bonds are a new payment option for landscape securities.
A bond is a tripartite agreement between a principal, a surety, and an obligee. For landscape securities, the principal is the security provider (applicant) and the obligee would be the City of Edmonton. A principal seeking to obtain a bond from a lending institution (surety) would be issued a bond upon a satisfactory review of the project financials and payment of an upfront fee.
Landscaping bonds provide flexibility and can reduce the financial impact of securities to the developer, since they do not impact a developer's available capital or assets.
Review the Landscape Security Submission Instructions for more details about how to submit a landscape bond.
If a security is on file, then the funds may be used by the City to procure landscaping for the site. This will occur after enforcement letters are issued to prompt compliance with Zoning Bylaw regulations.
If a security was not collected, enforcement may be used to prompt compliance with Zoning Bylaw regulations. Enforcement may include the issuance of Violation Notices or Municipal Government Act Orders, fines, and the addition of a caveat to the property land title. The City may also seek to procure landscaping for the site and charge the cost of installation to the tax roll of the property.
The Landscape Security currently held by the City is tied to the property itself and not the entity which provided it. New updates to the City’s policies now allow the reassignment of Landscape Securities, without requiring competitive tender, up to a maximum of $200,000.
Depending on the amount of the Landscape Security currently held for your property, you may be eligible to complete the outstanding work for full or partial reimbursement up to the security amount currently held, to a maximum of $200,000.
If you think you may be eligible for this process, please contact the Landscape Team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca, before proceeding with completing any work.
The Landscape Security currently held by the City is tied to the property itself and not the entity which provided it. If you submitted the Landscape Security but have since sold the property or are otherwise no longer associated with it, the Landscape Security will continue to be held to ensure the landscape compliance of the property.
If the new property owner does not complete the work for reimbursement and the City is required to procure and install landscaping, any remaining security may be returned to you.
The security may be assigned from the previous security holder to the new property owner with an Assignment of Deposit. The security may also be replaced by the new property owner at 100% of the value, at which time the original security would be released.
If you are no longer associated with the site and are not able to enter the property to complete the required landscaping, please contact the Landscape Team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca so we may determine how to best proceed.
Please contact the Landscape Team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca if you would like a copy of your approved landscape plan.
Depending on site conditions at the time of installation, it is not uncommon for alterations to the plan to occur. If the plan does not match what is on site, a new Development Permit application can be submitted for exterior alterations to revise the landscape plan.
Inspectors have some discretion to allow minor variations to planting location when inspecting. The inspections mainly confirm that the amount of plantings is correct, the plantings are healthy, and the plantings are of sufficient size.
- Ensure landscaping is installed according to plan
- Remove all stakes – remove any temporary stakes or supports from plants to ensure the plant will not be girdled by the wires
- Maintain proper mulch depth – ensure mulch is applied at the correct depth and is evenly distributed, covering all areas without exposing dirt or landscape fabric
- Eliminate weeds – inspect the area to remove any weeds, ensuring they do not interfere with the health of the plants around them
- Replace dead or ailing plant material – substitute any dead, damaged, or unhealthy plants with new, vibrant, and healthy material
- Ensure sod is healthy and uniform – check for any patches of dead or damaged sod, and replace them
- Ensure that both deciduous and coniferous plants are present in the correct numbers and types as outlined in the approved landscaping plan
Different plant species have different needs. For detailed information, refer to any documentation provided at the time of plant purchase. However, the following tips apply to all plants and sites:
- Ensure regular watering
- Install landscaping using shredded mulch, as rock mulch can be damaging
- Remove weeds, taking care to check for regulated weeds
- Remove stakes after trees become established. Failure to remove stakes can damage and girdle trees
Landscape Enforcement Process
A Municipal Ticket identifies the Zoning Bylaw violation and the fine amount to be paid.
What to do
- Take actions to correct and resolve the violation. Failure to do so may result in further tickets.
- Make payment of the ticket to the City of Edmonton before or on the due date (see instructions on the ticket). If you wish to appeal the ticket, do not pay the ticket and wait until you are issued a provincial Violation Ticket at which point you will be scheduled a date to appear in court.
The process to issue a Violation Ticket will begin 15 days after the date that the Municipal Ticket is issued. This will give you an option to appear in court to appeal the ticket or payment instructions.
For more information on municipal tickets, please call Ticket Administration at 780-496-5161.
A Violation Ticket identifies the Zoning Bylaw violation and the fine amount to be paid.
What to do
- Take actions to correct and resolve the violation. Failure to do so may result in further penalty.
- Review your options found on the back of the ticket. You must either make payment of the ticket before or on the due date or appeal the ticket to the Provincial Courts. See instructions on the back of the ticket for more information.
For more information on Violation Tickets, please call the Provincial Court of Alberta at 780-427-7868 or visit www.albertacourts.ca.
A Violation Notice is a warning indicating a violation of the Zoning Bylaw and the actions required in order to comply.
What to do
- Read your Violation Notice thoroughly.
- Take actions to correct and resolve the violation.
- Call the Bylaw Officer if you have any questions regarding the Violation Notice. Contact information can be found on the Notice.
- Call the Bylaw Officer once you have resolved the violation and, if possible, take photos to show how you’ve complied with the Violation Notice.
A Municipal Government Act (MGA) Order identifies the Zoning Bylaw violation and the actions required in order to comply. It defines a timeline for when these actions must be taken to avoid further penalties.
What to do:
- Read your Order thoroughly.
- Take actions to correct and resolve the violation.
- Orders must be complied with. Failure to do so may result in fines up to $10,000 and/or remedial action at your expense.
An Order can be formally appealed to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) and must be filed within 21 days after the date on which the Order is made.
Contact Us
Edmonton Service Centre
Email dplandscaping@edmonton.ca
Phone 311 (In Edmonton) | 780-442-5311 (Outside Edmonton)