Planning & Development resource library
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Visit the Local Policy Plans Map to see planning policies in your area.
Planning Policies
The planning policies listed on this webpage are published in compliance with s. 638.2 of the Municipal Government Act.
Provincial documents
- Calgary Metropolitan Interim Growth Plan
- Interim Regional Evaluation Framework
- Interim Regional Evaluation Framework Application Review Process
- South Saskatchewan Regional Plan 2014-2024
Intermunicipal policies
City wide policies
Statutory Plan
Municipalities enact statutory plans to guide future development and to facilitate local planning. Statutory plans include a municipal development plan (for the city as a whole), intermunicipal development plan (a joint plan for adjacent municipalities), area structure plan (a plan for a new community) and area redevelopment plan (a plan for an existing community that is redeveloping). A statutory plan must meet requirements for public notification or engagement, and is adopted by Council bylaw.
Non-statutory policies
Non-statutory policies may include plans, guidelines or other policies that can be used to guide planning and development. They may be used, along with applicable statutory plans and bylaws, in making planning decisions. Non-statutory policies may be adopted by Council resolution, or by City Administration.
- 17 Avenue SW Urban Design Strategy
- 2011 Stormwater Managment and Design
- A Guide to Special Care Facilities for Applicants and Communities
- Access Design Standards Advisory Committee on Accessibility
- Agreement on Land Use, Development Guidelines, and Acreage Assessment Levies December 15, 1993
- Backyard Suites How-to Guide
- Bicycle Parking Handbook
- Biodiversity Policy
- Biophysical Impact Assessment Framework
- Bird Friendly Urban Design Guidelines
- Calgary Civic Arts Policy
- Calgary Heliports System Plan
- Calgary Heritage Strategy 2008
- Calgary Pathway & Bikeway Plan
- Calgary Parking Policies
- Calgary Parks Lighting Plan 2017
- Calgary River Valleys Plan
- Calgary Third Party Advertising Sign Guidelines
- Cannabis Store Guidelines
- Child Care Service Policy and Development Guidelines
- City of Calgary Slope Adaptive Development Policy and Guidelines
- Complete Streets
- Cultural Landscape Strategic Plan
- Cultural Landscapes Policy
- Cultural Plan
- Cycling Strategy
- Development Reviews Design Standards for the Storage and Collection of Waste
- Environmentally Friendly Options for Your Home
- Environmental Development Review Policy
- Environmental Reserve Setback Guidelines
- Fire Department Access Standard
- Geotechnical Report Guidelines for Land Development Applications
- Good Neighbour Agreement Policy and Outline
- Guide to Skateboard and Sports Ramps
- Habitat Restoration Project Framework
- Integrated Pest Management Plan
- Inventory of Heritage Resources
- ImagineCALGARY Calgarys Plan for Long Range Urban Sustainability
- imagineCALGARYS Action Summit on the Natural Environment - Summary Report
- Joint Use Site Calculation Methodology
- Large Retail Commercial Urban Design Guidelines
- Liquor Store Separation Distance Guidelines
- Location Criteria for Multi Residential Infill
- Low Density Residential Housing Guidelines for Established Communities
- Master Residential Development Agreement
- Natural Areas management plan
- Open Space Plan
- Our BiodiverCity: Calgary's 10- Year Biodiversity Strategic Plan
- Pedestrian Strategy (Step Forward)
- Pawn Shop and Payday Loan Separation Distrance Policy
- Planning Policy for Commercial Parking Relaxations City-wide
- Planning Principles for the Location of Care Facilities and Shelters
- Public Art Master Plan
- Plus 15 Skywalk Network Map
- Policy to Guide Discretion for Secondary Suites and Backyard Suites (2)
- Residential Street Design Policy
- Riparian Strategy: Sustaining Healthy Rivers and Communities
- Roundabout Policy TP016/LPT2011-22 (April 11, 2011 Council)
- Seniors Age-Friendly Strategy
- Slope Adaptive Development Guidelines Policy and Conservation Planning and Design Policy
- Sports Field Strategy
- Source Water Protection Policy (CP2020-04)
- Southwest Regional Policy Plan
- Stormwater Management & Design Manual
- Stormwater Source Control Practices Handbook - November 2007
- Source Control Practices Handbook (2007)
- Surface Transportation Noise Policy
- Sustainable Suburbs Study
- Telecommunication Antenna Structures Siting Protocols
- TIA Guidelines
- Transit Friendly Design Guide
- Transit Oriented Development Best Practice Handbook
- Transit Oriented Development Policy
- Transportation Utility Corridor Secondary Use Policy
- Triple Bottom Line Policy Framework
- Waste Management Facility and Setback Variance Guide
- Wetland Conservation Plan
- Wind Energy Conversion System Policy
Local policies
Statutory plans
Municipalities enact statutory plans to guide future development and to facilitate local planning. Statutory plans include a municipal development plan (for the city as a whole), intermunicipal development plan (a joint plan for adjacent municipalities), area structure plan (a plan for a new community) and area redevelopment plan (a plan for an existing community that is redeveloping). A statutory plan must meet requirements for public notification or engagement, and is adopted by Council bylaw.
- 16 Avenue North Urban Corridor Area Redevelopment Plan
- 50 Avenue SW Area Redevelopment Plan
- Albert Park/Radisson Heights Area Redevelopment Plan
- Anderson Station Area Redevelopment Plan
- Applewood Park Area Structure Plan
- Auburn Bay Community Plan
- Aurora Business Park Area Structure Plan
- Banff Trail Area Redevelopment Plan
- Banff Trail Station Area Redevelopment Plan
- Bankview Area Redevelopment Plan
- Barlow Area Structure Plan
- Bearspaw East Area Structure Plan
- Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan: Part 1
- Beltline Area Redevelopment Plan: Part 2
- Belvedere Area Structure Plan
- Bow Valley Centre Concept Plan
- Bowness Area Redevelopment Plan
- Brentwood Station Area Redevelopment Plan
- Bridgeland-Riverside Area Redevelopment Plan
- Burlington Phase 1 Area Structure Plan
- Burlington Phase 2 Area Structure Plan
- Burlington Phase 3 Area Structure Plan
- Calgary North Area Structure Plan Phase1
- Calgary West Area Structure Plan (Revised)
- Canada Olympic Park and Adjacent Lands Area Structure Plan
- Chaparral Area Structure Plan
- Chinatown Area Redevelopment Plan
- Cliff Bungalow Area Redevelopment Plan
- Cornerstone Area Structure Plan
- Crescent Heights Area Redevelopment Plan
- Crowchild Phase 3 Area Structure Plan
- Crowchild Phase 4 Area Structure Plan
- East Macleod Trail Area Structure Plan
- East McKenzie Area Structure Plan (Revised)
- East Paskapoo Slopes Area Structure Plan
- East Regional Context Study
- East Springbank Area Structure Plan
- East Springbank Area Structure Plan (Appendix 2)
- East Springbank Area Structure Plan (Appendix 4)
- East Springbank Area Structure Plan (Appendix 5)
- East Stoney Area Structure Plan
- East Village Area Redevelopment Plan
- Eastfield Area Structure Plan
- Eau Claire Area Redevelopment Plan
- Erlton Area Redevelopment Plan
- Fairview Land Use Study
- Forest Lawn-Forest Heights/Hubalta Area Redevelopment Plan
- Foxdale Area Structure Plan
- Glacier Ridge Area Structure Plan
- Haskayne Area Structure Plan
- Hillhurst/Sunnyside Area Redevelopment Plan
- Hounsfield Heights/Briar Hill Area Redevelopment Plan
- Inglewood Area Redevelopment Plan
- International Avenue Area Redevelopment Plan
- Keystone Hills Area Structure Plan
- Killarney/Glengarry Area Redevelopment Plan
- Lower Mount Royal Area Redevelopment Plan
- Mahogany Community Plan
- Manchester Area Redevelopment Plan
- Marda Loop Area Redevelopment Plan
- McKenzie Lake Area Structure Plan
- Midnapore Phase 2 Area Structure Plan
- Millican-Ogden Community Revitalization Plan
- Mission Area Redevelopment Plan
- Montgomery Area Redevelopment Plan
- North Hill Area Redevelopment Plan
- North Kelvin Grove Area Redevelopment Plan
- Northeast Community 'A' Area Structure Plan
- Northeast Community 'A' Area Structure Plan Part II - Country Hills Station Area Plan
- Northeast Industrial Area Structure Plan
- Nose Creek Area Structure Plan
- Parkdale Neighbourhood Activity Centre Area Redevelopment Plan
- Parkhill/Stanley Park Area Redevelopment Plan
- Providence Area Structure Plan
- Ramsay Area Redevelopment Plan
- Rangeview Area Structure Plan
- Ricardo Ranch Area Structure Plan
- Richmond Area Redevelopment Plan
- Riverbend Area Structure Plan
- Rocky Ridge Area Structure Plan
- Saddle Ridge Area Structure Plan
- Shaganappi Point Area Redevelopment Plan
- Shepard Industrial Area Structure Plan
- South Calgary/Altadore Area Redevelopment Plan
- South Macleod Centre Area Structure Plan
- South Shepard Area Structure Plan
- Southeast 68 Street Industrial Area Structure Plan
- Southeast Centre Area Structure Plan
- Southeast Industrial Area Structure Plan
- Southwest Community 'A' and Employment Centre/Mixed-Use Area Structure Plan
- Springbank Hill Area Structure Plan
- Stadium Shopping Centre Area Redevelopment Plan
- Stoney Industrial Area Structure Plan (Revised)
- Sunalta Area Redevelopment Plan
- Symons Valley Community Plan
- Upper Mount Royal Area Redevelopment Plan
- Valley Ridge Area Structure Plan (Revised)
- West Macleod Area Structure Plan
- West Scenic Acres Area Structure Plan (Revised)
- West Springs Area Structure Plan (Revised)
- West View Area Structure Plan
- West Village Area Redevelopment Plan
- Westbrook Village Area Redevelopment Plan
- Winston Heights-Mountview Area Redevelopment Plan
Non-statutory policies
Non-statutory policies may include plans, guidelines or other policies that can be used to guide planning and development. They may be used, along with applicable statutory plans and bylaws, in making planning decisions. Non-statutory policies may be adopted by Council resolution, or by City Administration.- 10th, 11th, and 12th Avenues South Planning & Transportation Study
- 52 Street SE Special Study
- A Billboard Development Policy Guide for Calgary
- Airport Agreement on LU Development Guidelines & Acreage Assessment Levies
- Bonavista Design Brief
- brentwood-coop-WWHR-may-2017
- Calgary Downtown Retail District Strategy
- Calgary North Phase 2 Community Plan
- Centre City Illumination Guidelines
- Centre City Mobility Plan Figures
- Centre City Mobility Plan
- Centre City Plan
- CFB East Community Plan
- CFB West Master Plan (Currie Barracks) Revised
- Chinatown Handbook of Public Improvements
- Chinook Station Area Plan
- Civic District Public Realm Strategy
- Cranston Community Plan
- Crossroads Special Study
- Dover Land Use Study
- Downtown Underpass Urban Design Guidelines
- Downtown West End Policy Consolidation
- East Regional Context Study
- Fairview Land Use Study
- Fish Creek Lacombe Station Area Workshop Summary
- Glenmore Design Brief
- Glenmore Trail Land Use Study
- Improving Calgarys Entranceways
- Inner City Plan
- Inner City Transportation System Management Strategy
- LRT South Corridor Land Use Study
- Midnapore III Community Plan
- North Bow Design Brief
- North Regional Context Study
- Northeast Regional Policy Plan
- Northeast Residual Area Policy Plan
- Parkdale Special Planning Study
- Patterson Heights (Strathcona Cell "A") Concept Plan
- Rundle Area Master Plan
- South Macleod Trail Regional Policy Plan
- South Nose Creek Site Plan
- South Shaganappi Communities Area Plan
- Southeast Planning Area Regional Policy Plan
- Southwest Regional Policy Plan
- Spruce Cliff Community Planning Statement
- Transit Friendly Design Guide
- Transit Oriented Development Handbook
- Transit Oriented Development Policy Guidelines
- Varsity Acres Design Brief One
- Varsity Acres Design Brief Two
- Varsity Community Special Study
- Varsity Land Use Study
- West LRT Land Use Study
- West Regional Context Study
- West Springs Open House 2016 April 27
- Windsor Park Transition Area Policy Statement (Revised)
Planning and licensing Bylaws
Planning Bylaws
Licensing Bylaws
- Alarm Services Bylaw 31M95
- Bicycle Courier Licensing Bylaw 48M90
- Body Rub Licence Bylaw 53M2012
- Business Licence Bylaw 32M98
- Concert Bylaw 4M83
- Dating and Escort Service Bylaw 48M2006
- Downtown Pushcart Vendor Licence Bylaw 3M97
- Exotic Entertainers Bylaw 47M86
- Extended Dance Event Bylaw 34M2000
- Massage Licence Bylaw 52M2012
- Combative Sports Commission Bylaw 53M2006
Miscellaneous Bylaws
How to apply: checklist and fees
Building and Development lists and forms (CARLs)
Inventory of Costs
- Inventory of Costs of Development Permits for Redevelopment - Multi Residential, Mixed Use and Commercial Buildings.
Building Regulation advisories and bulletins
Technical and design specifications
Calgary Approvals Coordination catalogues and distributes technical specifications and engineering design manuals.
The City of Calgary no longer prints and sell hardcopies. Users are encouraged to explore the digital specifications before printing hardcopies.
Technical specifications
Force Account Rates
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Force Account Rates | Effective date: 2015 | Addenda: |
Cathodic Protection Installation
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Cathodic Protection Installation Checklist | Effective date: 2018 | Addenda: |
Capital project construction signs
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Capital Signage Guidelines | Effective date: 2018-01-01 | Addenda: |
Standard specifications for water construction
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Standard Specifications for Waterworks Construction - 2020 - NEW | Effective date: May 2020 to present | Addenda: |
| Version: Proximity guidelines 2015 | Effective date: 2015-03-25 | Addenda: |
| Version: Stormwater Irrigation Guidelines | Effective date: 2018 | Addenda: |
Standard specifications for sewer construction
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Standard Specifications for Sewer Construction - 2020 – NEW | Effective date: to 2020-06-11 | Addenda: Sanitary Deep Manhole 2016 |
Standard specifications for roads construction
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Roads construction 2015 (Current) | Effective date: 2015 |
Addenda: |
| Version: Roads construction 2010 (Superseded) | Effective date: 2010-02-15 to 2012-01-30 |
Addenda: |
Standard specifications for landscape construction
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Landscape construction 2021 (Current) | Effective date: 2021 | Addenda: |
| Version: Landscape construction 2020 (Superseded) | Effective date: 2020 | Addenda: |
| Version: Landscape construction 2019 (Superseded) | Effective date: 2019 | Addenda: |
| Landscape construction 2018 (Superseded) | 2018 | |
| Landscape construction 2017 (Superseded) | 2017 |
Standard specifications for street lighting construction
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Design Symbols for Street Light Luminaires and Poles (Feb. 2021) | Addenda: | |
| Version: Street lighting construction 2006 (Current) | Effective date: 2006-01-01 to present | Addenda: |
| Version: Street lighting material catalogue 2016 | Effective date: | Addenda: |
Design manuals and guidelines
Design guidelines for subdivision servicing
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Design guidelines for subdivision servicing 2014 | Effective date: 2014, November to present | Addenda: |
| Version: Design guidelines for subdivision servicing 2012 (Current) | Effective date: 2012-01-01 to November 2014 | Addenda: Addendum 1 (2012-05-09) - Emergency access to private sites |
| Version: Water pressure zone map | Effective date: 2015-05-20 | Addenda: |
| Version: Water pressure zone profile | Effective date: 2015-04-01 | Addenda: |
| Version: Design guidelines for subdivision servicing 2004 (Superseded) | Effective date: 2004-02-01 | Addenda: Addendum 1 (2011-04-01) - Flushing velocities and Manning's 'N' |
Design guidelines for Development Site Servicing Plans (DSSP)
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Development Site Servicing Plan DSSP 2018 (Current) | Effective date: 2018-05-01 | Addenda: |
| Version: Development Site Servicing Plan DSSP 2015 | Effective date: 2015-01-01 | Addenda: |
| Version: Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) 2012 | Effective date: 2012-08-31 | Addenda: |
| Version: Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) 2008 (Superseded) | Effective date: 2008-02-01 | Addenda: |
| Version: Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) Complete Application Requirement List (CARL) (revised 2013-02-15) | Effective date: 2012-07-30 | Addenda: |
| Version: Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) circulation stamp DSSP circulation stamp (.dwg) DSSP circulation stamp (.dgn) |
Effective date: 2018-05-01 | Addenda: |
Geotechnical Guidelines for Land Development Applications
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Geotechnical Guidelines for Land Development Applications | Effective date: 2017-07-01 | Addenda: |
Waste and Recycling Services requirements
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Development Reviews: Design Standards for the Storage and Collection of Recyclable Materials and Waste | Effective date: 2015-06-17 | Addenda: |
Sewer bypass pumping guidelines
| Version | Effective date |
|---|---|
| Version: Sewer Bypass Pumping Guidelines | Effective date: 2020-10-15 |
Wastewater lift stations
| Version | Effective date |
|---|---|
| Version: Wastewater Lift Station Design Guidelines | Effective date: 2016-11-02 |
Design and construction of sewer pipes
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Standard practice for design and construction of flexible thermoplastic sewer pipe | Effective date: 2009-07-30 to present | Addenda: |
| Version: Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Rigid Gravity Sewer Pipe | Effective date: 2009-07-30 to present | Addenda: |
Design and construction of feederman pipes
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Design and Construction of Potable Water Feedermain Pipes | Effective date: 2021-03-04 | Addenda: |
Consulting engineers field services guidelines
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Consulting engineers field services guidelines - 7th edition | Effective date: 2020 | Addenda: |
| Version: Consulting engineers field services guidelines 2012 Consulting engineers field services guidelines forms |
Effective date: 2012 | Addenda: |
| Version: Consulting engineers field services guidelines 2004 | Effective date: 2004 | Addenda: |
Stormwater management design manual
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Stormwater management and design | Effective date: 2011 | Addenda: |
Guidelines for erosion and sediment control
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Erosion and sediment control guidelines 2017 (Current) | Effective date: 2017 | Addenda: |
Field manual for effective erosion and sediment control
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Erosion and sediment control field manual 2011 (Current) | Effective date: 2011-12-01 to present | Addenda: |
Design guidelines for street lighting
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Design guidelines for street lighting 2016 (Current) | Effective date: present | Addenda: |
Servicing guidelines for new single family / semi-detached / duplex dwellings in the developed area
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Residential grades Complete Application Requirement List (CARL) | Effective date: 2012-08-31 | Addenda: |
| Version: Residential water services reuse guideline | Effective date: 2016-04-4 | Addenda: |
Design guidelines for City of Calgary funded buildings
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Design guidelines for City of Calgary funded buildings | 2021-01-01 – Version 2.0 | Addenda: |
| Version: Design guidelines for fire stations | Effective date: 2011 | Addenda: |
Other publications
Standard Block Profile Specifications
Note: These include Capital Project Block Profile Specifications, subject to the project coordinator
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: Block profile 2019 (Current) | Effective date: 2020-01-01 | Addenda: |
Bylaws
| Version | Effective date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Version: The Utility Site Servicing bylaw 33M2005 | Effective date: January 1, 2012 | Addenda: |
Research resources
Citywide Retail and Commercial Study
This study that focuses on the commercial uses related to retail and services in the City of Calgary helps to better understand current conditions and future needs.
Suburban Residential Growth
These reports track the location and pace of suburban development activity to help balance residential land supply with anticipated future demand. A five-year growth forecast is produced annually and a ready-to-build lot inventory is updated monthly.
Employment Areas Growth and Change
These reports provide information on serviced (i.e. existing City infrastructure in place), planned and annexed land supply available in Calgary for industrial development.
Developed Areas Growth and Change
This report tracks redevelopment potential of Calgary’s established communities in terms of additional units that could be built under the land use designation or approved planning policy.
Calgary Snapshots
Calgary Snapshots has information about growth and change in Calgary. It is produced by The City's Geodemographics group.
Service plan
Annexation
National Building Code
- National Building Code - 2019 Alberta edition (previously Alberta Building Code 2014)
- National Energy Code for Buildings - 2017 Edition (previously National Energy Code for Buildings 2011)
- National Fire Code – 2019 Alberta Edition (previously Alberta Fire Code 2014)
Building permit applications received prior to October 1, 2019 may proceed under the Alberta Building Code 2014 and NECB 2011 editions.
Legal Agreement Precedents
Legal Agreements are required for a variety of reasons at various stages through the development
Approvals continuum. The below documents are the published precedents for The City of Calgary and the bulletin offers more information on what The City hopes to achieve by publishing the precedents.
An instruction page on how to complete the precedent is included with each one. Before printing, executing and mailing an agreement to The City, please contact your Development Engineering Generalist and have them review your draft. This will minimize potential errors in the agreement and need for multiple submissions. You may contact Lawrence Wong at Lawrence.Wong@calgary.ca should you have any questions or concerns.
- Bulletin - Oct 2020 Legal Agreement Precedents
- Screening Fence AEA (Corp.)
- Screening Fence AEA (Individuals)
- General Utility and Access Agreement (Test Manhole) (Corp.)
- General Utility and Access Agreement (Test Manhole) (Individuals)
- Development & Geotechnical Covenant (Corp.)
- Development & Geotechnical Covenant (Individuals)
- Development & Geotechnical Covenant - Setback (Corp.)
- Development & Geotechnical Covenant - Setback (Individuals)
- Deferred Services Agreement (Corp.)
- Deferred Services Agreement (Individuals)
- Emergency Access Agreement (Directly from City land)(Corp.)
- Emergency Access Agreement (Directly from City land)(Individuals)
- Emergency Access Agreement (Through Private Property)(Corp.)
- Emergency Access Agreement (Through Private Property)(Individuals)
- Backsloping Easement Agreement (Corp.)
- Backsloping Easement Agreement (Individuals)
- Private ODE&RC Agreement (Adjacent Lands)(Corp.)
- Private ODE&RC Agreement (Adjacent Lands)(Individuals)
- Private ODE&RC Agreement (Adjacent Lands - Mutual)(Corp.)
- Private ODE&RC Agreement (Adjacent Lands - Mutual)(Individuals)
- Bldg & Dev RC & Maintenance & Mutual Access Agreement (Retaining Wall)(Individuals)
- Bldg & Dev RC & Maintenance & Mutual Access Agreement (Retaining Wall)(Corp.)
- Indemnification Agreement (Corp.)
- Indemnification Agreement (Individuals)
- Affidavit of Corp. Signing Authority & Affidavit of Execution
- Affidavit of Execution
- Dower Affidavits