City seeks public input on distances between liquor stores
July 10, 2018

How far apart should new liquor stores be from existing liquor stores and parks?

The City wants your input on the Zoning Bylaw regulations that control liquor store separation distances. Feedback is encouraged through an online survey open until July 23, 2018.

Feedback collected will be compiled with other research and stakeholder input to inform a report to Urban Planning Committee on options for regulating liquor stores differently than current practice . Additional research includes: gathering information on any potential crime, public health and social disorder impacts of liquor stores, looking at best practices of other municipalities and evaluating the effectiveness of current liquor store regulations and policies, including separation distances. 

In 2007, changes were made to Edmonton’s Zoning Bylaw requiring new liquor stores to be at least 500 metres apart from existing liquor stores. This requirement was introduced to help curb the proliferation of liquor stores along established commercial shopping corridors, such as Jasper Avenue, Whyte Avenue, 107 Avenue, Stony Plain Road, 118 Avenue and 97 Street.

In 2016, further changes were made to allow more than one liquor store at major intersections in suburban areas. The 500 metre limit remains in place for commercial streets in mature areas of the city.  
For more information:

Media contact: 
Communications Advisor
Development Services
780-496-4908