City cracking down on unpermitted surface parking lots in downtown Edmonton

The City of Edmonton is taking initiative in dealing with unpermitted downtown surface-level parking lots starting Wednesday.

There are 113 unpermitted lots in the city’s core that are required to apply for development permits and improve lots, said a news release from the city Monday.

Unpermitted lots can face several penalties including escalating fines starting at $1,000, issuance of stop orders, registration of caveat on a property’s land title, and remedial action like barricading lots.

“We want all our spaces in Edmonton’s downtown to be safe, clean and vibrant,” said Ward O-day’Min Coun. Anne Stevenson in a statement. “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.”

Violation notices were issued to affected parking lot owners between March and June of last year with follow-ups sent out in February.

Council added the Centre City Temporary Parking Program to the zoning bylaw in 2024.

“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.

Lot owners who received their development permit have until Dec. 31, 2027, to upgrade their lots, which can include improving landscaping and drainage, adding pathways and lighting, and making surface improvements.

Temporary development permits for gravel lots will be in effect for seven years while paved lots will last for a decade.