Building safety approval timelines

The City of Calgary has a team of dedicated professionals that play a key role in making sure anything built in Calgary meets the code requirements outlined in the National Building Code – Alberta Edition and The Safety Codes Act.

Our staff review construction plans and permit applications for new buildings and additions, changes to existing buildings, demolitions and special event structures to ensure all relevant building safety standards are followed.

Partial permits are issued for below-grade foundations on single, semi-detached and duplex dwellings in the Developed Area, as defined by the Land Use Bylaw. Development permit approvals are required prior to obtaining a building permit.

Building safety Target (calendar days) Per cent of decisions within target  (Jan 01, 2025 to Mar 31, 2025) Average days  (Jan 01, 2025 to Mar 31, 2025)
Single, semi-detached & duplex dwellings      
Infill (permissions to start construction) 14 81% 12
Infill (permit issued) 30 67% 30
Greenfield (permission to start construction) 1 100% 0
Greenfield (permit issued) 7 83% 5
Multi-family      
New project - low complexity 49 59% 61
New project - high complexity 120 71% 109
Improvements 28 79% 31
Residential      
Improvements - low complexity 7 80% 17
Improvements - high complexity 21 78% 20
Commercial/Non-residential      
Improvements - low complexity 30 74% 25
Improvements - high complexity 35 74% 42
New/Additions - low complexity 28 71% 57
New/Additions - medium complexity 90 59% 153
New/Additions - high complexity 105 48% 171

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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