Bylaws & Policies

New and Proposed Bylaws

Numerous bylaws get passed over the course of the year. In some cases, extra advertising and/or feedback will be required. In these cases, the bylaw will be advertised in the media and posted here for further review.

Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw

Council has given all three readings to Bylaw No. 2313, the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw.

This bylaw puts a focus on pet care and ownership responsibility, regulates the number and types of animals allowed per household, establishes restraint regulations, clears up definitions for “vicious dogs”, establishes parameters for addressing nuisance, aggressive, or dangerous dogs, and clarifies the complaint mechanism with clear penalties for non-compliance.

Many of the changes stem from our public consultation done in 2024, as well as best practices pulled from many communities across Alberta.

While there are many adjustments in the new bylaw, here are some highlights. 

  • Limits for dogs and cats - Residents are allowed a maximum of 4 animals, with no more than 3 of each species (dog/cat). This means you can own combinations such as: 
    • 3 dogs and 1 cat.
    • 2 dogs and 2 cats.
    • 3 cats and 1 dog.
  • Animal fostering is allowed, but an over limit permit will be required if it takes you over the animal limits. Form can be found at www.edson.ca/enforcement
  • Cat Licensing - Both cats and dogs are required to have a licence renewed yearly. Cat licensing is new, effective June 17, 2025. Cat licences will be free for the remainder of 2025. The Animal Licence form can be found at at www.edson.ca/enforcement
  • No changes to backyard hens. Only allowed by special resolution of Council.

The full bylaw can be viewed here.

Forms

Frequently Requested Bylaws / Policies

Our most frequently requested bylaws are listed below for quick access.  If you are searching for a bylaw that is not listed, please visit our Bylaws and Policies Centre or contact the Town Office at (780) 723-4401. For a complete Bylaw listing, including a record of repeals and amendments passed for each Bylaw, please consult the Bylaw Index.

Our Planning and Offsite Levy Policies can also be found in the Bylaws and Policies Centre

A valid Business License is required to operate a business within the Town of Edson (whether in a residential or commercial area).  The Business License Bylaw provides for the licensing, controlling and regulating of businesses within the Town. 

Applications for new or renewed licenses may be made in writing to the Licensing Officer at the Town Office.  At the discretion of the Licensing Officer approvals may be required from the Development Officer, Fire Chief, Medical Officer of Health, Municipal Planning Commission and R.C.M.P. prior to the issuance of a License.

For a complete review of this Bylaw please reference the link below:

Bylaw No.2280 - Business License Bylaw

You can also download the Business Licence Application Form

Edson Town Council passed all three readings of the Cannabis Consumption Bylaw on October 2nd, 2018. This bylaw bans the consumption of cannabis in all public spaces and outlines related fines.

The Cannabis Framework for changes to the Land Use Bylaw has also been approved. Below is information on the changes and related maps. The significant changes from the original draft bylaw are the removal of setbacks from government buildings, other cannabis related stores, and drinking establishments. They’ve also removed cannabis lounges from the framework to allow for Federal rules and guidelines on lounges and edibles to be established first.

The Cemetery Bylaw regulates and controls the operation of the Edson Glenwood Cemetery. The Town of Edson is responsible for the selling of burial and cremation plots, keeping the required records and the supervision of maintenance and construction.

For more information on this Bylaw please reference the link below:

Bylaw No. 2272 - Cemeteries Bylaw

This bylaw pertains to all Community Standards issues, such as:

  • Noise,
  • Unsightly Conditions,
  • Property Maintenance.

Bylaw 2218 - Community Standards Bylaw

Bylaw 2289 - Community Standards Bylaw Amendment (Highway Adjacent Sidewalks)

This Bylaw establishes principles and procedures to govern the conduct of Members of Council in the performance of their duties. Among other things, it includes provisions around representing and communicating on behalf of the municipality, respect and non-discrimination, relations with Town staff, conflicts of interest, and complaints/enforcement.

The Bylaw may be viewed in its entirety by following the link below.

Bylaw No. 2275 - Council Code of Conduct Bylaw

The purpose of this Bylaw is to assist in the reduction of False Alarms requiring a Police response within the Town of Edson.  The Town of Edson and the Edson RCMP detachment ask that all businesses and residents maintain their alarm systems to reduce the number of false alarm calls.  False alarm calls  also pertain to 911 calls.  Please do not hang up if you have accidently called 911.  Instead notify the operator of your mistake.  Every 911 hangup must be treated with urgency and be investigated to ensure there is no actual emergency.  False alarms calls can be costly and potentially dangerous as it can take manpower away from an actual emergency call.

For a complete review of this Bylaw please reference the link below:

Bylaw No. 2104 - False Alarm Bylaw

The Fire Bylaw specifies that the Town of Edson will provide Fire Protection and Emergency Services within the municipality, as well as set out rules and regulations for fire pits in Town limits. Permits are required for all recreational fire pits in the Town of Edson.

For more details pleasefollow the link below. 

Bylaw No.2119 - Fire Bylaw

Fire Permit Application Form

The Land Use Bylaw is the regulatory document that implements the policy direction set forth in a municipality's Municipal Development Plan. It is the document which regulates and controls the use and development of land and buildings in the community. Based on the planning hierarchy, the municipality divides into specific districts that dictate what uses are permitted and/or discretionary, contains details on how to make applications for development permits; how and by whom decisions on applications are made; and the conditions that can be attached. The Land Use Bylaw also contains regulations regarding setbacks, landscaping, parking, building heights, and signage to name a few.

The Town of Edson’s Land Use bylaw (LUB) was passed on June 4, 2024, please click the following link to the latest revision of the Land Use Bylaw No. 2296.

Under the Outdoor Burning Appliances Bylaw, the installation of an outdoor wood or solid fuel burning appliance within the Town of Edson is prohibited. The operation of such appliances within the Town is also prohibited.

The bylaw also gives inspectors authorization to enter at all reasonable times and in a reasonable manner on property to determine whether the requirements of this bylaw are being observed.

For a complete review of this bylaw, please reference the link below:

Bylaw 2154 (Outdoor Burning Appliances Bylaw)

This bylaw deals with Public Conduct issues, such as:

  • Bullying,
  • Fighting,
  • Curfew,
  • Litter,
  • Spitting and Urinating in Public.

Bylaw 2219 - Public Conduct Bylaw

The Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw puts a focus on pet care and ownership responsibility, regulates the number and types of animals allowed per household, establishes restraint regulations, clears up definitions for “vicious dogs”, establishes parameters for addressing nuisance, aggressive, or dangerous dogs, and clarifies the complaint mechanism with clear penalties for non-compliance.

For a complete review of this bylaw, please reference the link below:

Bylaw 2313 - Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw

Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw FAQ Sheet

Forms

This Bylaw states that all Town of Edson buildings and vehicles are smoke-free, except in designated areas.  Town buildings designated as smoke free are the Civic Centre (Town Office), Firehall, Public Works Building, Leisure Centre, All Water and Sewer Utility Buildings, Griffiths Park Centre, Recycling Building, Airport Terminal and the Family Centre.

For a complete review of this Bylaw, please reference the link below:

 Bylaw 1906 - Smoke Free Town Facilities Bylaw

 To review the Province of Alberta Tobacco Reduction Act please reference the link below:

 http://www.health.alberta.ca/initiatives/tobacco-reduction.html

This bylaw will outline the rules and regulations regarding the waste collection system in the Town of Edson.

For more information on the Landfill please visit www.edson.ca/residents/landfill or call 780-723-6476.

Details on the Recycling Depot can be found at www.edson.ca/residents/recycling-depot

The updated bylaw includes provisions that allow for extra bins upon request by the homeowner.

A second waste bin (grey) will be available at an extra charge of $7.50/month. An additional organics bin (green) can be requested at no cost to the homeowner. To make these requests, please contact Public Works at 780-723-6461.

Please note that bins will not be available for delivery until early 2025.

For a complete review of this Bylaw please reference the link below:

Bylaw 2298 - Solid Waste & Recycling Bylaw

 

The updated Traffic Bylaw No. 2291 is now in effect.

Some of the changes include:

  • Consolidation and modernization of all relevant adopted bylaws.
  • Permitting OHV use within town for the purpose of accessing lands surrounding the town, with conditions.
  • Recognition of the increased use of Town streets by trucks and designation of those streets as truck routes.
  • Clarification of the definition of “Recreational Vehicle.”

It’s important to note that the OHV use is to be the shortest route in and out of town and does NOT permit any stops along the way.

There are a number of other rules and regulations for OHV use including, but not limited to:

  • No Person, including a driver or passenger, shall ride on an Off-Highway Vehicle within the Town unless that Person is properly wearing an approved safety helmet.
  • Whenever possible, designated trails, alley ways or service roads shall be used for travel instead of streets.
  • No person shall park or operate an Off-Highway Vehicle in or on a school ground; a play ground; a parking lot; private property without the expressed permission of the Owner; a Town park; any Town property without prior written permission from the CAO; a Pedestrian pathway; a cemetery; any area where prohibited by signage; any portion of the TransCanada Highway #16 (2nd and 4th Avenues); or any portion of Highway 748 (25th street).
  • No Person shall operate an Off-Highway Vehicle within the Town between the hours of 2200 (10:00 p.m.) and 0700 (7:00 a.m.) the next day.
  • No Person under the age of fourteen (14) shall operate an Off-Highway Vehicle without having a supervisor, who is at least eighteen (18) years of age, as a lawful passenger on the same Off-Highway Vehicle, or else travelling in close proximity.

For the full list of rules and regulations, as well as maps of the designated truck routes see the full bylaw below.

 

 

This Bylaw pertains to Utility Services within the Town of Edson.

For futher information on this bylaw or any other offenses pertaining to this Bylaw, please reference the link below:

Bylaw 2301 - Utility Bylaw