Edmonton approves new lodging house rules

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsPolitics Edmonton approves new lodging house rules Approved changes will make it easier for officials to identify illegal lodging units and enforce rules Author of the article: By Eric Bowling Published Sep 22, 2026 Last updated 56 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation A sign on the front door to the Icon II building, 10152 104 St., states that the building does not allow short term rentals such as AirBnB or VRBO on Sept. 19, 2026. PHOTO BY DAVID BLOOM /Postmedia Article content City of Edmonton officials are preparing to move in on illegal lodging houses now that changes to the zoning bylaw has given them teeth. Article content Following a public hearing where seven people spoke in favour of a proposed bylaw, council voted 9-3, with Coun. Aaron Paquette absent and Couns. Ashley Salvador, Anne Stevenson and Jo-Anne Wright against, to approve new changes to zoning rules which modify the definition of a lodging house. Article content Article content Article content A lodging house is now classified as a dwelling with three or more bedrooms rented out individually, from the current four bedrooms, limited to the small scale (RS), small scale flex (RSF) — both capped at eight units per lot — and small-medium scale transition (RSM) zones now capped at 12 units per lot. Lodging houses are no longer permitted in row housing or in a secondary suite. Article content Headline News Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “We are really pleased,” said residential infill working group representative Jan Hardstaff following the vote. “It will make future housing safer and it will still allow lodging, but it will allow it in the appropriate housing form. Article content “These amendments were necessary to provide tools for enforcement.” Article content Article content Kathy Hawkesworth speaks to Edmonton city council during a public hearing on infill housing and lodging on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. PHOTO BY DAVID BLOOM /Postmedia Article content Administration says the city has a list of more than 300 suspect properties which may be operating as lodging houses without the proper requirements. With the new definitions, property inspectors can now fine…