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November 18, 2024
Red tape reduction efforts like streamlined permitting processes, updated regulations and innovative solutions to infill development challenges are spurring increased housing supply across the city. As of the end of October, 2024, Edmonton saw 10,847 housing starts and issued 12,655 building permits, which is 216 shy of the 2015 record for number of permits issued in a full year.
“Edmonton is a national leader when it comes to cutting red tape and getting shovels in the ground. We continue to break records and exceed our housing targets because we’ve been laying the groundwork for more than a decade. This takes on extra importance during Housing Month in November, when we recognize the central role of affordable housing in building a good life,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.
Last November, the City signed its Housing Accelerator Fund agreement with the federal government to receive $175 million if the 35,443 housing unit target was met over the three years. One year into the Housing Accelerator Fund action plan, the City has approved 14,906 building permits, 42 per cent of the total target.
“We’re proud to see our commitment to reducing red tape contribute to Edmonton’s busiest year on record in terms of new housing,” said Kim Petrin, Deputy City Manager of Urban Planning and Economy. “These improvements not only save customers an estimated $5.3 million and 67,600 days each year, they are making housing development faster and easier.”
Housing Actions:
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Affordable Housing Permit Processing: Development permit applications for non-market affordable housing are now prioritized for review and, when eligible, receive enhanced permitting services through Edmonton’s Client Liaison Unit.
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Zoning Bylaw: A greater variety of housing types are permitted including apartments, row houses, secondary suites and backyard houses. These housing forms account for 68 per cent of the City’s total permitted residential units in 2024, up approximately 21 per cent compared to a decade ago.
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District Plans: Creating a more efficient development-review process by reducing the number of plans and policies.
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Infill Infrastructure Fund: Covers the cost of shared infrastructure upgrades for multi-unit market and non-market housing, removing a significant cost barrier for infill developers
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Auto Review for Housing Development Permits: Edmonton is the first Canadian city to automate approvals for housing development permits, which allows a builder to apply for a development permit and put a shovel in the ground on the same day.
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Secondary Suite Firewalls: A new policy that addresses fire separation requirements for secondary suites in rowhouses will make it easier to build this type of housing and save thousands of dollars in design, construction materials and construction costs, while maintaining public safety.
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Waste Management for Infill Developments: Waste Services now allows the sharing of green carts for certain infill developments. This removes a barrier at the development permit stage by ensuring the collection method is based on the lot location, size and number of units.
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Blatchford: Encouraging multi-unit housing development in Blatchford, including apartment buildings, through rebates for District Energy Sharing System infrastructure and equipment.Three contracts with builders, which will equate to approximately 250 apartment/condo units, have already been finalized with more expected in the coming months.
- Multi-unit Tax Subclass Reduction: The City charged a multi-residential tax rate for buildings with four or more units that was 15 per cent higher than the regular residential rate. A gradual reduction in this multi-residential rate will make it equal to the regular residential rate by 2028, and will remove a significant disincentive for multi-unit housing development that disproportionately affected rental housing downtown.
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