Edmonton city council has approved a new zoning bylaw that reduces the number of development zones in the Alberta capital.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and councillors reduced the zone total to 23 from 46. The new bylaw passed without receiving any amendments to its its draft.

City council’s move overhauls the local government’s permitting process and makes it easier for commercial real estate developers and other builders to get projects approved and completed.

Zones have been divided into residential, mixed-use, commercial, open space and agriculture categories. The residential zones allow for more density, including small apartment buildings, on single lots.

The bylaw is also designed to spark retail development in residential districts. The new rules will take effect in 2024.

Certain zones have been set for the city’s river valley and future urban development. The new agriculture zone will protect farmland from future residential construction.