As of July 2025, the City of Edmonton introduced a set of new planning and building policies that reshape how development is expected to occur across its outer neighbourhoods and newly urbanizing areas. These changes indicate a shift in how the city manages growth beyond its core, moving toward a framework that emphasizes higher density, technical compliance, and clearer permitting expectations. These updates build on Edmonton’s broader zoning overhaul, including the adoption of its new Zoning Bylaw in 2023, which replaced outdated, use-based rules with a simplified, form-based code. That reform aimed to reduce barriers to housing diversity, legalized a wider range of missing middle forms across all residential zones, and removed parking minimums citywide. More recently, in May and June 2025, the City approved a series of rezonings in designated Priority Growth Areas, paired with design updates for row housing and procedural changes aimed at reducing permitting delays. The policies introduced in June are the next phase in Edmonton’s effort to align density targets, building standards, and permitting processes into a more streamlined, citywide system. The revised policies included a formal minimum density requirement for new suburban development, updated structural standards for low-rise housing, and several process improvements aimed at streamlining permitting and inspections.The greenfield and mid-scale property reforms, however, differ from Edmonton’s earlier focus on broad housing flexibility, instead providing more specific direction on how and where new growth should happen. Unlike previous changes that removed barriers citywide, these updates set clear density minimums and technical standards aimed at shaping suburban and small-scale multi-unit development. Minimum Density Now Required in Greenfield AreasOne of the most consequential changes is the introduction of a citywide minimum residential density for greenfield development. As of June 9, 2025, with implementation beginning in summer of 2025, new projects must meet a baseline of 45 dwelling units per net residential hectare. This requirement, now part of The City Plan under policy 2.3.2.6, was adopted to align with regional growth strategies and reduce the long-term costs associated with low-density expansion.This shift means suburban projects can no longer rely on conventional mixes dominated by single-detached homes. Instead, meeting the minimum will often require increased use of row housing, stacked townhomes, or small-scale low-rise buildings. While this opens up more efficient land use and the potential for stronger long-term financial performance, it also introduces new design constraints. Site plans will need to account for not just density, but also market fit, infrastructure capacity, and phasing. Projects that do not address these early in the process risk costly redesigns or prolonged approval timelines.New Structural StandardsAlongside the density mandate, Edmonton has updated its building permit requirements for certain low-rise residential buildings, specifically 3- and 4-unit rowhouses and other small-scale Part 9 structures. These changes, based on recent guidance from Alberta Municipal Affairs, focus on revised roof truss requirements that impact how these buildings must be engineered and reviewed. These roof truss standards came into effect on July 1, 2025.For many projects in this category, standardized roof systems may no longer be sufficient, and custom design may now be required to comply with the new standards. That adds another layer of coordination between architects, engineers, and permit reviewers. If these requirements are not identified and addressed early, developers may face rework, inspection delays, or unanticipated design costs. Conversely, teams that incorporate the new standards from the outset should benefit from smoother reviews and fewer compliance issues at later stages.Importantly, while the city is facilitating more housing types across more locations, it is also raising expectations around performance, durability, and regulatory alignment, particularly in multi-unit formats.Permitting and Inspection Reforms Streamline Project DeliveryIn addition to land use and structural policy, the City has introduced several operational improvements that aim to simplify permitting and inspection procedures that may impact construction timelines and delivery risks.A new online platform for submitting HVAC design documents addresses common inspection failures by improving compliance, while streamlined HVAC permitting for basement developments shortens timelines for secondary suites. The City has also launched self-serve portals for grading and landscaping inspections, helping projects avoid bottlenecks during close-out. These changes don’t affect core entitlements but offer clearer, faster processes that can reduce delivery risks and improve overall efficiency.More Demanding, But More PredictableEdmonton’s June 2025 policy package reflects changes in how the city approaches new growth. Instead of relying on discretionary negotiations or legacy assumptions about land use, the new system sets clear expectations, such as higher baseline density, stronger structural standards, and better-organized permitting. Additionally, however, projects now face tighter constraints on design, density, and technical execution, which need to be considered.