Landscaping for Non-Residential, Large Scale Residential and Mixed Use Developments

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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.

Securities are required for major development permits (commercial, industrial, and multi-unit residential), and are held until the Development Planner 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 in 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 metres
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 metres
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

Major Development Process

Steps to follow when applying for a major development permit.

Step 1: Submit Your Landscape Plan

Submit your landscape plan for review along with your Development Permit Application.

Landscape Plan Standards

Landscape Plan Example

Step 2: Install Approved Landscaping

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.

Step 3: Obtain Final Lot Grading Approval

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.

Step 4: Request a Landscape Inspection

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 landscaping plan that was approved as part of the initial development permit process.

Landscape inspections are conducted on a seasonal basis only.

Step 5: Submit a Landscape Security

A landscape security must be submitted upon request after an inspection has occurred.

Landscape Security Cost Rates

Landscape Security Release

Landscape Security Submission Instructions

For compliant landscaping with completed lot grading, the security amount is determined based on 20% of the estimated cost of installation. 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.

Step 6: Security Release

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.

Landscape Security Release Guide

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. Select Zoning and search for your property address.

Municipal Government Act Orders

You may receive a Municipal Government Act (MGA) Order letter because the landscaping around your property has not been completed according to the approved landscape plan and/or minimum landscaping requirements of Zoning Bylaw.

Please note the compliance deadline indicated on your order and advise the landscape team of how you have chosen to proceed regarding the options within your order.

Please submit your responses.

Landscape Securities and Inspections Team Contact

For all inquiries about your MGA Order, landscaping for private property, or landscape securities, please contact the Landscape Team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below for specific details about Municipal Government Act (MGA) Order letters.

Why am I receiving this Municipal Government Act (MGA) Order letter?

As part of your Development Permit, a property requires landscaping to be installed in accordance with the approved landscape plan and the landscape requirements of the Zoning Bylaw.

Currently, your property does not comply with the development permit. A Landscape Security is currently held for this property, and the City has begun the enforcement process to ensure the landscaping is installed.

I’m a new owner of this property, and not the one who submitted the Landscape Security. How does this affect the process?

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.

Please contact the Landscape Team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca if you think you may be eligible for this process, prior to proceeding with completing any work.

I have received this before. Why am I receiving it again?

Some recent changes have come into effect in how the City processes and how it can reassign Landscape Securities in the enforcement process. New owners of properties are now able to be reimbursed at a much higher limit cap for landscape work completed. This may allow more property owners to complete their full amount of required landscaping to be fully reimbursed by the Landscape Security currently tied to the property.

If you were not the one who originally submitted the Landscape Security, the City is now able to reimburse you for completing the landscape work required up to the amount of security currently held, to a maximum of $200,000.

Please contact the landscape team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca to see if this option may work for your property before proceeding with any work.

What if I am no longer associated with this property?

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.

Unless the current property owner completes the work for reimbursement via the held security, only the remainder left after the City procures and installs the landscaping may be returned to you.

Please complete our response form with information about your current state of involvement with the property, and a member of the Landscape Team will contact you.

Reminder of Held Landscape Security

If you have received this letter you are listed as having provided a Landscape Security for the Development Permit. This security is still currently being held by the City.

If the required landscaping has been completed, please prepare the site for inspection and submit a Landscape Inspection request.

Please ensure the site is fully prepared for inspection.

Response Required

If the landscaping has not been completed, you must contact the Landscape Team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca to advise on scheduling and/or intent to do so before the deadline indicated within the letter.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below if you are no longer associated with this site.

Why am I receiving this?

The City of Edmonton currently holds a landscape security for the development permit listed on the letter you received. As part of the Development Permit this property requires landscaping to be installed in accordance with the approved Landscape Plan and the landscape requirements of the Zoning Bylaw. To date, this property has not yet successfully completed a final Landscape Inspection for the release of security.

If the landscaping has been completed, please prepare the site for inspection and request a Landscape Inspection at www.edmonton.ca/landscapeinspectionrequest.

Please ensure the site is fully prepared for inspection.

If the landscaping has not been completed, or you are not able to install the required landscaping, you must contact the Landscape Team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca to advise on scheduling and/or intent to do so prior to the deadline within the letter.

What if I am no longer associated with this property?

Unless the current property owner completes the work for reimbursement via the held security, only the remainder left after the City procures and installs the landscaping may be returned to you.

Please contact the Landscape Team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca if you are no longer associated with the property the Landscape Security is tied to.

If I’m no longer associated with this site, can I have the Landscape Security returned to me?

The current property owner has the option to install the required landscaping and be reimbursed through the held Landscape Security, up to the full value of the landscape security at a maximum of $200,000. The City may alternatively pursue enforcement and use the held Landscape Security to install the landscaping. Only the remaining funds left may be released back to you after 1 of these 2 options have been completed.

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.

What happens if I don’t respond to this letter and the landscaping is not completed?

The City will inspect the landscaping at the property on or after the deadline provided in the letter and will proceed with enforcement. The Landscape Security will be forfeited to the City for its unconditional use in completing the landscaping.

Can I get a copy of my approved landscape plan?

Please contact the Landscape Team at dplandscaping@edmonton.ca if you would like a copy of your approved landscape plan.

Request a Landscape Inspection

For multi-family, commercial, and industrial landscaping development permits.

Request Inspection

Contact Us

Edmonton Service Centre

Telephone	In Edmonton: 311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Email	dplandscaping@edmonton.ca