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Edmonton commercial real estate
Edmonton Commercial Zoning Guide (Bylaw 20001)
A plain-English guide to the commercial, mixed use and industrial zones in Edmonton's Zoning Bylaw 20001, for business owners, buyers and investors. Always confirm the zone and permitted uses for a specific parcel with the City before you buy or sign a lease.
Commercial, mixed use and industrial zones
| Zone | Name | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| MU | Mixed Use | Varying scales of mixed use development in nodes and corridors, with active ground floors; no drive-throughs. |
| MUN | Neighbourhood Mixed Use | Walkable neighbourhood-scale mixed use up to about 4 storeys (16.0 m), with ground floor commercial generally required. |
| CN | Neighbourhood Commercial | Small activity centres serving local nodes, up to about 3 storeys (12.0 m); housing only above ground floor commercial. |
| CG | General Commercial | Larger businesses such as shopping centres and offices along major roads outside nodes and corridors; about 4 storeys, hotels about 9. |
| CB | Business Commercial | Large-site commercial and some light industrial in vehicle-oriented areas; no residential; 16.0 m height. |
| BE | Business Employment | Light industrial plus limited office and retail, a transition to industrial zones; 16.0 m height, floor area ratio 1.6. |
| IM | Medium Industrial | Light to medium industrial with some outdoor activity, such as warehouses, car washes and gas stations; 18.0 m, floor area ratio 2.0. |
| IH | Heavy Industrial | Major industry, utilities and resource uses; 30.0 m, floor area ratio 2.0, minimum site 1.0 ha. |
Downtown, Jasper Avenue and a few other areas use special area zones instead, such as CMU (Commercial Mixed Use), CCA (Core Commercial Arts), JAMSC (Jasper Avenue Main Street Commercial), UW (Urban Warehouse) and AED (Arena and Entertainment District). Industrial areas such as the Edmonton Energy and Technology Park and Ellerslie also have area-specific zones.
Before you buy or lease
- Check the zone on the City of Edmonton zoning map for the exact parcel, not just the street.
- Confirm your use is listed as permitted in that zone. Some uses need a development permit or are not allowed at all.
- Ask about Direct Control (DC) zones: some sites have their own custom rules.
- Older approvals made under the previous bylaw may still apply to existing buildings.
Questions
When did Edmonton's new zoning bylaw take effect?
Zoning Bylaw 20001 came into effect on January 1, 2024, after Council approved it in October 2023.
What is the MU zone in Edmonton?
MU is the Mixed Use zone. It allows varying scales of mixed use development in nodes and corridors, with active ground floors, and does not allow drive-throughs.
Which zone allows shopping centres and offices on major roads?
The CG General Commercial zone covers larger businesses such as shopping centres and offices along major roads outside nodes and corridors.
Can I build housing in the CB zone?
No. The CB Business Commercial zone is for large-site commercial and some light industrial uses and does not allow residential.
What is the difference between IM and IH?
IM Medium Industrial allows light to medium industry with some outdoor activity, up to 18.0 m. IH Heavy Industrial is for major industry, utilities and resource uses, up to 30.0 m with a 1.0 ha minimum site.
Buying, selling or leasing?
Our commercial team works with buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants across Edmonton. See commercial real estate services, leasing, retail space for sale, office space for sale, industrial property for sale and businesses for sale on HauptRealty.com.
Commercial listings on EdmontonRealtor.ca
More Edmonton commercial guides
Edmonton commercial market report124 StreetWhyte Avenue and Old StrathconaDowntown EdmontonAlberta Avenue (118 Avenue)Kingsway DistrictChinatownStony Plain Road and Jasper PlaceFort Road and BeverlySouth Edmonton CommonWest Edmonton Mall areaGateway Boulevard and Calgary Trail
Sources: City of Edmonton, Zoning Bylaw Guide; City of Edmonton, Zoning Bylaw 20001; City of Edmonton, Zoning Bylaw.
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