City of Edmonton
City of Edmonton
06/29/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/29/2026 12:34
City begins enforcement action against unpermitted downtown surface parking lots in July
June 29, 2026
Beginning July 1, the City of Edmonton will begin enforcement action on unpermitted downtown surface parking lot owners. The Centre City Temporary Parking use was added to the Zoning Bylaw 20001 by Council on December 9, 2024. It encourages owners of approximately 113 unpermitted surface parking lots downtown to apply for a development permit and improve their lots through site upgrades.
Enforcement actions for unpermitted parking lots may include:
Enforcement actions for unpermitted parking lots may include:
- Escalating penalty fines starting at $1,000
- Issuance of Stop Orders
- Registration of caveat on a property's land title
- Remedial action such as barricading lots
"We want all our spaces in Edmonton's downtown to be safe, clean and vibrant," said Ward O-day'Min Councillor Anne Stevenson. "Providing parking downtown is important, but so is the safety and attractiveness of the area. Elements like lighting, drainage, perimeter landscaping and pathways will make these parking lots more welcoming."
Since the addition of the Centre City Temporary Parking Program to the Zoning Bylaw, warning Letters (Violation Notices) regarding the program and enforcement details were issued to affected parking lot owners between March and June 2025. Follow-up letters were sent in January and February 2026 to remind them of program requirements and timelines to obtain a development permit, as well as the consequences of non-compliance.
"It's important that all downtown surface parking lot operators be treated equitably and fairly and that all conform to the zoning and business licence regulations," said Travis Pawlyk, Branch Manager, Development Services. "The rules exist for a reason and they exist for everyone."
"For decades, there has been conversation about the negative impact of the large number of surface parking lots downtown and ample opportunity was given for property owners to apply for permits to operate temporary parking, prior to redevelopment," said James Robinson, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association. "City Council started the conversations about this in 2022 and engaged with lot owners and operators in 2023 and 2024.
Lot owners who received their development permit by the deadline have until December 31, 2027 to upgrade their lots. Upgrades can include improving landscaping and drainage, adding pathways and lighting and making surface improvements. The temporary development permits granted by the deadline will be in effect for seven years for gravel lots, until June 30, 2033, and 10 years for paved lots, until June 30, 2036. Owners will also be required to obtain a business license.
"Fortunately, the public and private sectors are working together for better and more vibrant uses of downtown real estate," said Robinson. "We look forward to seeing the positive impact of a sizable number of parking lots being improved over the coming months."
Downtown is one of Edmonton's greatest assets. It connects people, drives innovation and activates opportunities for business development and visitor enjoyment. Through the Centre City Temporary Parking Program, the City is actively working to make the downtown safer, cleaner and more vibrant.
Since the addition of the Centre City Temporary Parking Program to the Zoning Bylaw, warning Letters (Violation Notices) regarding the program and enforcement details were issued to affected parking lot owners between March and June 2025. Follow-up letters were sent in January and February 2026 to remind them of program requirements and timelines to obtain a development permit, as well as the consequences of non-compliance.
"It's important that all downtown surface parking lot operators be treated equitably and fairly and that all conform to the zoning and business licence regulations," said Travis Pawlyk, Branch Manager, Development Services. "The rules exist for a reason and they exist for everyone."
"For decades, there has been conversation about the negative impact of the large number of surface parking lots downtown and ample opportunity was given for property owners to apply for permits to operate temporary parking, prior to redevelopment," said James Robinson, Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association. "City Council started the conversations about this in 2022 and engaged with lot owners and operators in 2023 and 2024.
Lot owners who received their development permit by the deadline have until December 31, 2027 to upgrade their lots. Upgrades can include improving landscaping and drainage, adding pathways and lighting and making surface improvements. The temporary development permits granted by the deadline will be in effect for seven years for gravel lots, until June 30, 2033, and 10 years for paved lots, until June 30, 2036. Owners will also be required to obtain a business license.
"Fortunately, the public and private sectors are working together for better and more vibrant uses of downtown real estate," said Robinson. "We look forward to seeing the positive impact of a sizable number of parking lots being improved over the coming months."
Downtown is one of Edmonton's greatest assets. It connects people, drives innovation and activates opportunities for business development and visitor enjoyment. Through the Centre City Temporary Parking Program, the City is actively working to make the downtown safer, cleaner and more vibrant.
City of Edmonton published this content on June 29, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 29, 2026 at 18:34 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]