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You will need to obtain zoning approval if you are:
Examples of changes to business activities include:
Zoning approval is required in order to obtain a valid business licence.
Zoning is a set of rules that limit the activities and buildings that can occur in a certain location.
Every legal parcel of land in Edmonton is assigned to a zone. Zones list the activities and buildings that may be allowed on the parcel.
Zoning rules are set out in the Zoning Bylaw.
Zoning is used to:
Zoning limits:
If you are starting a new business, moving your business or changing activities in an existing business, you will need to obtain zoning approval to ensure that you meet the zoning rules in your location.
Each zone allows certain activities or uses and prohibits others. Businesses often involve activities that are classified under more than one use.
Business owners are strongly encouraged to obtain zoning approval before signing a lease. Alternatively, you can sign a conditional lease where the lease is not binding until zoning approval is obtained.
Step 1: Find a Suitable Location
Before applying for permits or licences you can talk to City staff to determine if your preferred location is a good candidate for zoning approval.
City staff are here to help you understand:
To speak with City staff, visit us at the Edmonton Service Centre. Use the booking tool to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment. Select Commercial Inquiry Appointment to discuss Zoning Approval.
To make the most of your visit we suggest you bring:
Please note:
Alternatively, you can search maps.edmonton.ca to:
Step 2: Obtain Zoning Approval
The first step to obtaining zoning approval is to apply for a business licence.
Note: You do not need to sign a lease or occupy the location in order to apply for a business licence.
Upon reviewing your business licence application, City staff will advise if:
If your business activities include a use that is not allowed in your location’s zone, you will either need to find a new location or apply to change the zone that applies to the property before you can obtain zoning approval. Changing the zoning of a property is called rezoning.
Rezoning can be a long and complicated process. If you choose to apply for a rezoning we recommend hiring a professional planner.
Learn more about rezoning.
After obtaining zoning approval you are ready to apply for permits.
Most business will require:
You can talk to City staff to understand which permits will be required prior to opening your business.
Contact the Business-Friendly Support team for support with finding a location and obtaining permits and licences.
A use is a defined activity in the Zoning Bylaw that is allowed or prohibited in certain locations, and is therefore restricted to occur in specific zones.
The Zoning Bylaw lists over 40 uses such as:
Businesses sometimes encompass activities that are classified under more than one use.
For example, a vehicle repair shop might want to begin to buy and sell cars, this would require permits for the following uses:
A comprehensive list of uses is located in the Zoning Bylaw Matrix.
Permitted uses are developments that are likely able to operate in the zone. If your business activity is listed in a zone’s permitted uses, you will still need to apply for a development permit (zoning approval) to obtain City confirmation that your business can operate in this location.
Discretionary uses are developments that may have an impact on adjacent and surrounding properties, and may be able to operate in the zone only at the discretion of the Development Planner.
If a use is listed as discretionary, it is the job of the Development Planner to determine if it should be allowed, even if it meets all the rules of the Zoning Bylaw. The majority of discretionary uses in the Zoning Bylaw are related to the City’s parks and river valley zones.
Refer to the Land Use and Zoning Matrix to verify if the use your business activity falls under is a permitted or discretionary use in each of the zones.
A development permit is required to approve any proposed business activities that will result in a change to the use that was previously approved at the location.
Section 7.120 of the Zoning Bylaw lists exceptions when a development permit is not required to change a use. Talk to City Staff to understand whether a development permit will be required for your location.
Some common examples of when a change of use development is required include:
Existing businesses:
New businesses:
Zoning is one of many municipal rules that limit activities and buildings in a location.
Other rules include overlays and use classes. To understand all the rules that apply to a location we suggest you talk to City staff.
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