Land use districts / zones

Find your land use district

Land use districts

The list below provides an overview of land use designations. For more specific information please see the Land Use Bylaw 1P2007.

  1. Be sure to review the General Rules section at the top of every district definition.
  2. Every development within The City of Calgary requires a development permit unless specifically exempted. Sections 24 and 25 in Part 2 of the Land Use Bylaw contains conditions and a list of exempt developments.
  3. When a permitted use application does not conform to the rules of the bylaw a relaxation may be granted by the Development Authority.​​

Residential

General information

See General Rules for Low Density Residential Land Use Districts

R-1

Residential - One Dwelling District (R-1)

R-1 is a residential designation in developing areas that is primarily for single detached homes. Land Use Bylaw - R-1

R-1N

Residential - Narrow Parcel One Dwelling District (R-1N)

R-1N is a residential designation in developing areas that is primarily for single detached homes on narrow or small parcels where homes may include a secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-1N

R-1s

Residential - One Dwelling District, (R-1s)

R-1s is a residential designation in developing areas that is primarily for single detached homes that may include a secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-1s

R-2

Residential - One / Two Dwelling District (R-2)

R-2 is a residential designation in developing areas that is primarily for single detached, side-by-side and duplex homes. Single detached and side-by-side homes may include a secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-2

R-2M

Residential - Low Density Multiple Dwelling District (R-2M)

R-2M is a residential designation in developing areas that is primarily for side-by-side homes and rowhouses. Land Use Bylaw - R-2M

R-C1

Residential - Contextual One Dwelling District (R-C1)

R-C1 is a residential designation in developed areas that is primarily for single detached homes. Land Use Bylaw - R-C1

R-C1L

Residential - Contextual Large Parcel One Dwelling District (R-C1L)

R-C1L is a residential designation in developed areas that is primarily for single detached homes on large parcels. Land Use Bylaw - R-C1L

R-C1Ls

Residential - Contextual Large Parcel One Dwelling District, (R-C1Ls)

R-C1Ls is a residential designation in developed areas that is primarily for single detached homes on large parcels where homes may include a secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-C1Ls

R-C1N

Residential - Contextual Narrow Parcel One Dwelling District (R-C1N)

R-C1N is a residential designation in developed areas that is primarily for single detached homes on narrow or small parcels where homes may include a secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-C1N

R-C1s

Residential - Contextual One Dwelling District, (R-C1s)

R-C1s is a residential designation in developed areas that is primarily for single detached homes that may include a secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-C1s

R-C2

Residential - Contextual One / Two Dwelling District, (R-C2)

R-C2 is a residential designation in developed areas that is primarily for single detached, side-by-side and duplex homes. Single detached and side-by-side homes may include a secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-C2

R-CG

Residential - Grade-Oriented Infill District, (R-CG)

R-CG

Residential - Grade-Oriented Infill District, (R-CG)

R-CG is a residential designation that allows for a variety of housing forms such as single-detached, semi-detached, secondary suites, and rowhouses and may include a secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-CG

R-G

Residential - Low Density Mixed Housing (R-G)

The R-G district is for a mix of low density housing forms in suburban greenfield locations , including single-detached, side by side, duplex , cottage housing clusters and rowhouse development, all of which may include secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-G

R-Gm

Residential - Low Density Mixed Housing (R-Gm)

The R-Gm district is for a range of low density housing forms in suburban greenfield locations , including side by side, duplex , cottage housing clusters and rowhouse development (but excluding single detached), all of which may include a secondary suite. Land Use Bylaw - R-Gm

R-MH

Residential - Manufactured Home District (R-MH)

R-MH is a residential designation that is for mobile home parks. Land Use Bylaw - R-MH

Multi-Residential

General information

See General Rules for Multi-Residential Land Use Districts

M-1

Multi-Residential - Low Profile District (M-1)

M-1 is a multi-residential designation in the developing area that is primarily for 3 to 4 storey apartment buildings, townhouses and rowhouses. Land Use Bylaw - M-1

M-2

Multi-Residential - Medium Profile District (M-2)

M-2 is a multi-residential designation in the developing area that is primarily for 4 to 5 storey apartment buildings. Land Use Bylaw - M-2

M-C1

Multi-Residential - Contextual Low Profile District (M-C1)

M-C1 is a multi-residential designation in the developed area that is primarily for 3 to 4 storey apartment buildings and townhouses. Land Use Bylaw - M-C1

M-C2

Multi-Residential - Contextual Medium Profile District (M-C2)

M-C2 is a multi-residential designation in the developed area that is primarily for 3 to 5 storey apartment buildings. Land Use Bylaw - M-C2

M-CG

Multi-Residential - Contextual Grade-Oriented District, (M-CG)

M-CG is a multi-residential designation in the developed area that is primarily for townhouses and fourplexes. Land Use Bylaw - M-CG

M-G

Multi-Residential - At Grade Housing District (M-G)

M-G is a multi-residential designation that is primarily for townhouses and rowhouses. Land Use Bylaw - M-G

M-H1

Multi-Residential - High Density Low Rise District (M-H1)

M-H1 is a multi-residential designation that is primarily for 4 to 8 storey apartment buildings that may include commercial storefronts. Land Use Bylaw - M-H1

M-H2

Multi-Residential - High Density Medium Rise District (M-H2)

M-H2 is a multi-residential designation that is primarily for apartment buildings of varied height (4 to 15 storeys) that may include commercial storefronts. Land Use Bylaw - M-H2

M-H3

Multi-Residential - High Density High Rise District (M-H3)

M-H3 is a multi-residential designation that is primarily for high rise apartment buildings (no predetermined maximum height) that may include commercial storefronts. Land Use Bylaw - M-H3

M-X1

Multi-Residential - Low Profile Support Commercial District (M-X1)

M-X1 is a mixed-use multi-residential designation that is primarily for 3 to 4 storey apartment buildings with commercial storefronts. Land Use Bylaw - M-X1

M-X2

Multi-Residential - Medium Profile Support Commercial District (M-X2)

M-X2 is a mixed-use multi-residential designation that is primarily for 4 to 5 storey apartment buildings with commercial storefronts. Land Use Bylaw - M-X2

Commercial

General information

See General Rules for Commercial Land Use Districts

C-C1

Commercial - Community 1 District (C-C1)

C-C1 is a community commercial designation that is typically for 1 to 2 storey commercial strip malls that primarily serve the immediate surrounding area. Land Use Bylaw - C-C1

C-C2

Commercial - Community 2 District, (C-C2)

C-C2 is a community commercial designation that is primarily for commercial developments such as strip malls and shopping centres that may serve several surrounding communities. Land Use Bylaw - C-C2

C-COR1

Commercial - Corridor 1 District, (C-COR1)

C-COR1 is a commercial corridor designation that is primarily for commercial or mixed use development that must include commercial storefronts. Buildings may vary in height. Residential units are allowed on upper floors. Land Use Bylaw - C-COR1

C-COR2

Commercial - Corridor 2 District (C-COR2)

C-COR2 is a commercial corridor designation that is primarily for commercial or mixed use development of varied height. Residential units are allowed on upper floors of buildings. Land Use Bylaw - C-COR2

C-COR3

Commercial - Corridor 3 District (C-COR3)

C-COR3 is a commercial corridor designation that is primarily for commercial uses along major roadways. Residential uses are not allowed. Land Use Bylaw - C-COR3

C-N1

Commercial - Neighbourhood 1 District (C-N1)

C-N1 is a neighbourhood commercial designation that is primarily for small commercial uses in 1 to 2 storey buildings. Land Use Bylaw - C-N1

C-N2

Commercial - Neighbourhood 2 District (C-N2)

C-N2 is a neighbourhood commercial designation that is primarily for small commercial uses in 1 to 2 storey buildings; accessible by motor vehicle . Land Use Bylaw - C-N2

C-O

Commercial - Office District (C-O)

C-O is a commercial designation that is primarily for office buildings near major roadways and public transit facilities. Land Use Bylaw - C-O

C-R1

Commercial - Regional 1 District (C-R1)

C-R1 is a regional commercial designation that is primarily for large-format big box stores. Land Use Bylaw - C-R1

C-R2

Commercial - Regional 2 District (C-R2)

C-R2 is a regional commercial designation that is primarily for large enclosed shopping malls and shopping centres. Land Use Bylaw - C-R2

C-R3

Commercial - Regional 3 District (C-R3)

C-R3 is a regional commercial designation that is primarily for large, mostly retail commercial developments where uses are typically in multiple buildings distributed over multiple sites. Land Use Bylaw - C-R3

Industrial

General information

See General Rules for Industrial Land Use Districts

I-B

Industrial - Business District, (I-B)

I-B is an industrial designation that is primarily for business park uses with high quality buildings in a campus-like setting, typically in highly visible locations next to major roadways. Land Use Bylaw - I-B

I-C

Industrial - Commercial District (I-C)

I-C is an industrial designation that allows light industrial and limited small-scale commercial uses that are compatible with adjacent industrial areas. Land Use Bylaw - I-C

I-E

Industrial - Edge District (I-E)

I-E is an industrial designation that allows a limited range of low impact light industrial uses that are suitable in close proximity to residential areas. Land Use Bylaw - I-E

I-G

Industrial - General District (I-G)

I-G is an industrial designation that is primarily for a wide range of general industrial uses. Land Use Bylaw - I-G

I-H

Industrial - Heavy District, (I-H)

I-H is a heavy industrial designation that is primarily for large, purpose built heavy industrial developments that typically locate close to hazardous goods routes and rail lines. Land Use Bylaw - I-H

I-O

Industrial - Outdoor District (I-O)

I-O is an industrial designation that is primarily for outdoor storage, salvage and equipment yard uses on land that has limited or no municipal services. Land Use Bylaw - I-O

I-R

Industrial - Redevelopment District (I-R)

I-R is an industrial designation applied to seven older industrial areas that were developed before current land use standards were introduced. Properties in these areas often have significant development constraints that affect matters such as parking, access and landscaping. Land Use Bylaw - I-R

Special Purpose

General information

See General Rules for Special Purpose Land Use Districts

S-CI

Special Purpose - Community Institution District (S-CI)

The S-CI designation is primarily for large scale culture, worship, education, health and treatment facilities. Land Use Bylaw - S-CI

S-CRI

Special Purpose - City and Regional Infrastructure District (S-CRI)

The S-CRI designation is primarily for infrastructure and utility facilities, including public transportation operated by the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government. Land Use Bylaw - S-CRI

S-CS

Special Purpose - Community Service District (S-CS)

The S-CS designation is for education and community uses. It accommodates a limited range of small scale public recreation facilities, both indoor and outdoor, on land not designated reserve land under the Municipal Government Act. Land Use Bylaw - S-CS

S-FUD

Special Purpose - Future Urban Development District (S-FUD)

The S-FUD designation is primarily for lands that are awaiting urban development and is largely limited to uses that can easily be removed to allow for future urban development. Land Use Bylaw - S-FUD

S-R

Special Purpose - Recreation District (S-R)

The S-R designation is primarily for private recreation facilities, both indoor and outdoor. Land Use Bylaw - S-R

S-SPR

Special Purpose - School, Park and Community Reserve District, (S-SPR)

The S-SPR designation is for public parks, open space, schools and recreation facilities on land designated as 'reserve land' under the Municipal Government Act. Land Use Bylaw - S-SPR

S-TUC

Special Purpose - Transportation and Utility Corridor District (S-TUC)

The S-TUC designation is primarily for provincial transportation facilities and utilities. Certain other compatible uses, if temporary and removable, may be allowed. Land Use Bylaw - S-TUC

S-UN

Special Purpose - Urban Nature District (S-UN)

The S-UN designation is for lands that are to be retained in their natural state or are being rehabilitated to replicate a natural state. Land Use Bylaw - S-UN

S-URP

Special Purpose - University Research Park District, (S-URP)

The S-URP designation is for facilities engaged in scientific research, research and development and technology commercialization, typically in association with the University of Calgary and the provincial and federal governments. Land Use Bylaw - S-URP

Downtown Districts

Centre City Districts

CC-COR

Centre City Commercial Corridor District (CC-COR)

CC-COR is a Centre City designation primarily for commercial corridor development. Land Use Bylaw - CC-COR

CC-MH

Centre City Multi-Residential High Rise District (CC-MH)

CC-MH is a Centre City designation primarily for high density multi-residential development. Land Use Bylaw - CC-MH

CC-MHX

Centre City Multi-Residential High Rise Support Commercial District (CC-MHX)

CC-MHX is a Centre City designation primarily for high density multi residential development with provisions for a range of support commercial uses. Land Use Bylaw - CC-MHX

CC-X

Centre City Mixed Use District (CC-X)

CC-X is a Centre City designation primarily for a mix of commercial, residential and some light industrial uses. Land Use Bylaw - CC-X

Centre City East Village

CC-EIR

Centre City East Village Integrated Residential District (CC-EIR)

The CC-EIR designation is for intensive residential development integrated with a broad range of support commercial uses in the East Village area. Land Use Bylaw - CC-EIR

CC-EMU

Centre City East Village Mixed Use District (CC-EMU)

The CC-EMU designation is for a mix of commercial and residential uses in mid and high rise buildings in the East Village area. Land Use Bylaw - CC-EMU

CC-EPR

Centre City East Village Primarily Residential District (CC-EPR)

The CC-EPR designation is for intensive residential development with some support commercial uses in the East Village area. Land Use Bylaw - CC-EPR

CC-ER

Centre City East Village Recreational District (CC-ER)

The CC-ER designation is intended for public plazas next to the Bow River in the East Village area. Land Use Bylaw - CC-ER

CC-ERR

Centre City East Village River Residential District (CC-ERR)

The CC-ERR designation is for intensive residential development with ground floor commercial on sites strategically located with riverfront views in the East Village area. Land Use Bylaw - CC-ERR

CC-ET

Centre City East Village Transition District (CC-ET)

The CC-ET designation is for a mix of commercial, residential and institutional uses that provide an appropriate transition between the higher density downtown core and the more residential East Village. Land Use Bylaw - CC-ET

Commerical Residential

CR20-C20/R20

Commercial Residential District (CR20-C20/R20)

CR20-C20/R20 is a commercial/residential designation that is for high-rise, high-density development with a mix of commercial, residential and cultural uses within the Downtown. Land Use Bylaw - CR20-C20/R20

Mixed Use

General information

See General Rules for Mixed Use Districts

MU-1

Mixed Use - General District, (MU-1)

The MU-1 district is for commercial and residential uses in street-oriented buildings. The district allows both commercial and residential uses at street level. Land Use Bylaw - MU-1

MU-2

Mixed Use - Active Frontage District, (MU-2)

The MU-2 district is for commercial and residential uses in street-oriented buildings. The district requires commercial uses at street level, facing the commercial street. Land Use Bylaw - MU-2

Direct Control

DC

Direct Control District, (DC)

A Direct Control (DC) is a customized land use designation. It has a list of allowable uses and a set of rules specific to a particular property or development. Most DC designations include a cross-reference to the rules of one of the standard designations of the Land Use Bylaw (e.g. R-1, R-2, I-G, etc.). Land Use Bylaw - DC

Undesignated Road Right-of-Way

Undesignated Road Right-of-Way

A road right of way (i.e. a public road) has no legal description and no land use designation. Therefore, a road right of way is '"undesignated". Land Use Bylaw - (None)

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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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