Antennas

The antennas category includes cell towers, radio antennas, communication antennas, and amateur radio towers.​

Before you apply

What is an antenna?

The antennas category includes cell towers, radio antennas, communication antennas, and amateur radio towers.​

Do you need a permit?

A building permit is not always required when the antenna is attached to, and/or supported from an existing building. It must meet wind and snow load requirements of building code.

To ensure safe construction, a building permit is required to install an antenna under the following condition:

  • The antenna installation includes the construction of an accessory building over 10 m2on the site

Please note: The City of Calgary does not approve antenna structures. The Federal government approves development and operation of telecommunication antennas in Canada. In certain cases, they require service providers to consult with the local municipality and the public regarding a proposed location.

A wireless service provider submits a request to The City for review of the proposed location and the proposed public consultation plan. The City then sends a letter of support (concurrence) or non-support (non-concurrence) to the service provider when the review is completed. Please note The City cannot prevent an applicant from obtaining federal permission even if The City disagrees with the location, based on the municipal Telecommunication antenna structures siting protocols.

What are the rules and regulations?

Application review

The City of Calgary reviews and evaluates each submission for an antenna based on land use planning criteria. The specific issues observed, analysed, and evaluated are predominantly, but not limited to, the following:

Please note: The City of Calgary review focuses primarily on the design and location of a proposed antenna structure. Our review does not assess or evaluate health and radiofrequency exposure. For health-related information, please refer to these resources:

Public consultation

The City of Calgary is responsible for the following functions in the public consultation process:

For additional information regarding the federal government’s mandate and authority in the wireless telecommunications process, please consult Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's client procedures circular CPC-2-0-03 – radiocommunication and broadcasting antenna systems.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

MyID business account

If you have a myID business account, you can get a digital copy of your business licence through email.

To learn more and to sign-up, visit myID business account

Related links

How much will it cost?

Antenna type Base fee GST Total fee
Type A - new cell tower or height increase of more than 25% to existing tower $3,103 - $3,103
Type B - roof top or pole mount

$776

-

$776

Type C - co-located or temporary up to 3 months

$118

-

$118

Type D - small cell antenna

$118

-

$118

Amateur radio towers

$295

-

$295

See the Planning Applications fee schedule for a complete list of planning application fees.

How long will it take?

Timelines are not a guarantee and depend on volumes, application completeness, and the applicant’s timely replies to additional information requests from the City. 

If your Antenna will be placed on City property, please review the antenna submission process for City-owned property.

Review information on timelines and the approvals process

How to prepare your application

Step 1: Prepare the application details

You will need to know:

  • The project address
  • Who is applying (the homeowner or someone representing the owner)
  • Who will be doing the work (licenced demolition contractor)
  • What you are applying for
  • Project details

Step 2: Prepare the required documents and plans

Specific drawing and supporting document requirements are listed on the following  permit checklists:

You must provide all the required drawings and documents when you submit your application.

  • Complete the checklists
  • Review your fees​

Apply for your licence and required permits

To apply online, you need a myID account. Create a myID account.

Apply in person

Once you have gathered all required documents, you can apply for your permit in person by visiting the Planning Services Centre.

After you apply

Check the status of your permit

After you submit your application online, you will get a confirmation email with a Job Access Code (JAC).

To track your application and check its status, enter your Job Access Code in Vista.

If you need help or have questions, contact our Planning Services Centre

Development approvals review team

Contact the Development approvals review team staff about specific applications.


Planning Services Centre

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. (MT)

Live chat:
calgary.ca/livechat

Call:
403-268-5311

In person: 
Planning Services Centre,
3rd floor, Municipal building 
800 Macleod Trail SE

Book an eAppointment for in person services at appointment.calgary.ca


This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The City of Calgary accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically. ​

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