Urban Agriculture Permit image

The City wants to better support and measure the effects of urban agriculture. The Zoning Bylaw was changed to set rules for food production in Edmonton and fulfill policies in The Way We Grow and fresh: Edmonton’s Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy.

Depending on how you plan to grow your food, you may need to apply for an urban agriculture development permit.

Growing food without a development permit

If you are a resident or a non-profit group who wants to grow fruits and vegetables for your own consumption in your backyard or in a community garden, then you will not need a development permit.

For all other questions related to fresh: Edmonton’s Food and Agriculture Strategy, please contact Holly Saulou, Manager, Emerging Economy at holly.saulou@edmonton.ca.

Development Permits: When to apply

A Development Permit is not required to grow fruits or vegetables for personal consumption. If you are growing beyond personal consumption, the activity may be defined as Urban Agriculture and regulated by the Zoning Bylaw.

Urban Agriculture is defined as a development that involves growing fruits, vegetables, plants, or raising chickens or bees in urban areas for use beyond personal consumption. This activity may include the sale of agricultural products raised or grown on-site. This use does not include cannabis production and distribution. Typical examples include: community gardens, hen enclosures, hydroponic or aquaponic systems, and vertical farms.

Urban Agriculture does not require a Development Permit if all of the following conditions are met:

  • Urban Agriculture is a permitted use in the zone or a listed use in the direct control zone
  • It complies with the regulations of the zone
  • It is located outdoors or within an existing building with a valid Development Permit and does not result in exterior alterations to the building
  • It does not include the development of buildings or structures greater than 10 metres squared.

For more information about structures greater than 10 metres squared and how to apply for permits, visit Detached Garage, Shed.

You can use maps.edmonton.ca to identify the zone of any property and determine if Urban Agriculture is a permitted use. 

For more information, please review the City of Edmonton Zoning Bylaw.

Fees

2025 fees

Please see page 9 of the ​​2025 Planning and Development Fee Schedules​ for the appropriate fees for your development permit application.
(Effective January 1, 2025)

Greenhouses, plant nurseries, and garden centres

For temporary or permanent greenhouses, plant nurseries, and garden centres, a Development Permit is required. Visit the new commercial building or changes to existing buildings and sites pages for all application requirements.

Keeping bees or hens

Bees may be kept on a property, as long as you abide by the urban beekeeping guidelines, and you have an urban beekeeping licence and the appropriate development permit.

Hens may be kept on a property, as long as you abide by the Urban Hen Keeping Procedures and Guidelines, and have an urban hen keeping licence.

A development permit is required for your hen enclosure and should be applied at the same time as your urban hen keeping licence.

Selling your food products

A) Animal products (such as chickens, bees, honey, eggs) are not allowed to be sold.

B) If you want to sell your fruits, vegetables, and other products on your property, you will require a business licence.

C) If you want to sell your fruits, vegetables, and other products at an Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development-approved farmers’ market, you are exempt from the business licence requirement.

NOTE: If you sell your products through other locations or methods, a business licence will be required.