Policy Win: City of Edmonton Passes Two Motions Aligned With REALTOR® Recommendations

The REALTORS® Association of Edmonton GovPAC Committee is pleased to report that the Edmonton City Council Executive Committee has passed two motions addressing GovPAC’s recommendations. GovPAC sent a letter (provided to the Executive Committee before the meeting) discussing the Derelict Residential Tax Subclass and two specific ways to improve the program.

The Subclass was introduced to address the issue of derelict properties in Edmonton’s mature neighbourhoods. The primary goal is encouraging property owners to demolish, remediate or sell their derelict properties. The program seeks to protect surrounding property values, improve community safety, and ensure REALTORS® can continue facilitating transactions without concerns related to nearby derelict properties. The subclass has been in effect for a year, and a report to the Executive Committee provided an overview of its performance.

GovPAC provided two recommendations for this program:

• Clearer Definitions for Derelict Properties: Clear and reliable criteria must be established for derelict property. This will ensure consistency in the program’s application and help property owners understand their obligations and the steps required for compliance. While the Administration has fairly evaluated many derelict properties, homeowners deserve clarity from the City on how these properties are identified.

• Explore Extension to Commercial Properties: We ask that Council explore the value of expanding the derelict property remediation program to commercial properties. This would address a broader range of neglected properties, particularly in Downtown and mixed-use areas.

During the meeting, Councillor Keren Tang proposed two motions that fully addressed the matters discussed in the letter.

City Administration was tasked with providing a report on implementing standards to define the derelict non-residential tax subclass better. This report will include metrics on derelict properties, a draft methodology for deeming properties “unoccupied,” potential exemptions, prorated tax forgiveness, a proposed maximum tax rate, and resource requirements. The report is due by April 1, 2026, and aligns with the first priority of the GovPAC letter.

Furthermore, the Administration will report on addressing vacant, unimproved, non-residential (commercial) properties. This report will explore policy tools, tax mechanisms, subclassing, and advocacy opportunities to discourage speculative land holdings and prolonged vacancies. The report is due by April 1, 2026, and aligns with the second priority of the GovPAC letter.

The Derelict Residential Tax Subclass has shown promising results in its first year, with significant public support and positive outcomes in addressing derelict properties. Members are encouraged to stay informed about the progress and participate in future discussions to ensure the program continues to represent the real estate community fairly and equitably.

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