The City of Edmonton has approved a series of targeted zoning amendments aimed at improving the design and functionality of row houses in the RS (Small Scale Residential) zone. Passed at the June 30, 2025, public hearing, these changes form part of the city’s broader efforts to enhance the quality of infill development, following up on the large-scale zoning overhaul that came into effect in January. The new regulations are now in force and apply immediately to all new development applications within the RS zone.Key Changes to Row House Design RequirementsThe approved amendments focus on mitigating common concerns around massing, privacy, and design uniformity in mid-block row housing. One of the most significant changes is the reduction of allowable building length along interior side-lot lines. Structures are now limited to either 50% of the lot depth or 25 metres, whichever is less, down from the previous 30-metre maximum. This is intended to minimize visual bulk and overshadowing on neighbouring properties.Other updates include a new restriction on the number of side-yard entrances. A maximum of two entrances per side lot line is now permitted, including all front, rear, and mechanical access points. In tandem, the city has increased minimum interior side setbacks from 1.5 to 1.9 metres when a side entrance is present. These adjustments are designed to improve walkability, reduce conflicts in shared yards, and maintain better spatial separation between buildings.New rules also affect stair placements. Exterior staircases facing interior side-lot lines must be offset by at least 1.1 metres from the property line. This is expected to enhance safety and accessibility while preserving unobstructed movement along side yards.Proposed Unit Cap Reduction Rejected—Eight-Unit Limit RemainsImportantly for investors, council also considered a motion to reduce the maximum number of dwelling units permitted on RS-zoned lots from eight to six, but the motion was ultimately defeated, leaving the eight-unit cap intact for now. However, Council has instructed city administration to continue monitoring the issue and return with further analysis. Broader community consultation on density limits is expected to be part of the city’s long-term zoning review, with additional discussions possible as 2027 approaches.Improving Streetscape Appeal Through Facade ArticulationBeyond massing and layout concerns, the amendments introduce stronger requirements for facade articulation. Developers must now incorporate at least two architectural techniques, such as material variation, vertical projections, or roofline modulation, on the sides and front of row houses. Street-facing units must also include a covered entrance and a minimum of 15% window glazing above the foundation level. These changes aim to enhance curb appeal and break up the repetitive, monolithic appearance often seen in row housing developments.While the changes primarily affect row houses, they will also apply to other housing forms permitted within the RS zone, as Edmonton’s zoning rules are form-based rather than tenure- or ownership-specific.Implications for Developers and Infill StrategyWhile the new rules are not changing the existing eight-unit limit, they do impose design restrictions that could affect how those eight units are configured or designed on a given site. Fitting the maximum eight units within the new setback, entrance, and articulation constraints may require adjustments to building plans, especially for those using prefabricated or repeatable designs. The updated requirements could result in increased design and construction costs in some cases, but they also have the potential to improve resale appeal and long-term marketability.For investors and builders active in Edmonton’s infill market, adapting to these new parameters will be essential to ensure compliance and continued project viability. While the regulatory environment is tightening around certain design aspects, the broader framework remains supportive of gentle density and missing middle housing across the city’s established neighbourhoods.Looking AheadFurther zoning discussions, including potential adjustments to density caps and additional form-based refinements, are expected in the coming years as part of Edmonton’s continuing evaluation of its new bylaw framework.