January 19, 2024
City Councillors are set to discuss a proposed new bylaw that would consolidate the rules governing public spaces.
The Public Spaces Bylaw provides clarity around competing uses and acceptable behaviour in public spaces. The change creates a single consistent bylaw around the rules governing public spaces. The consolidated bylaws are:
The changes build on Council’s work to improve experiences in public spaces, while reflecting insights from Edmontonians and practices from other jurisdictions. City Administration conducted a full-scale review of bylaws governing transit and other public spaces in 2022, studied similar bylaws in other Canadian municipalities, and sought feedback from Edmontonians.
The proposed bylaw would give Edmontonians new opportunities such as allowing food truck vendors with a valid business license to operate from legal parking locations on public roadways, and allowing operation of Micro- or Mini-drones (under 250 grams) within designated areas.
Other provisions are designed to improve experiences and uses of public spaces, for example new restrictions around the use of sound amplification systems. The bylaw will also add clarity around rules for signage, stickers, decals or posters in public spaces.
Several additions or adjustments have been included to improve public safety:
- What is considered a weapon in public spaces will now include pepper spray and devices designed to provide an electric shock.
- Panhandling is not permitted on a roadway to ensure the safety of all public space and roadway users.
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Restricted dogs are not permitted to enter an off-leash area.
- A lifejacket must be worn on any vessel on the North Saskatchewan river or other naturally occurring body of water.
The Public Spaces Bylaw will first be discussed by Council at a non-statutory public hearing on February 2 and If passed there will be a three month period before the bylaw comes into force. It would take effect on May 13, 2024. This will allow time for public education and internal implementation work.
