The R-CG District is the Residential – Contextual Grade-Oriented Infill District. It includes both existing residential developments and allows for the construction of single-detached homes, semi-detached homes, rowhouses and townhouses. It makes it easier, and legal, to build different types of homes in our communities. This gives Calgarians the ability to find housing they need, and can afford, in a community they want to live in. 

Rezoning means that Administration will propose changing the zoning to R-CG on properties in all communities in Calgary that are currently zoned for only single-detached and semi-detached homes (typically R-C1, R-C2). In new communities this means properties currently zoned as R-1 and R-2 will be proposed to change to R-G. You can learn more about these districts here. 

Rezoning improves affordability for all

As with other goods, the balance between housing supply and demand influences price and availability. Research evidence and expert consensus is clear: abundant housing in a variety of locations, types and price points is fundamental to housing affordability. Rowhouses, for example, give Calgarians a type of home that is in high demand at lower price points compared to single and semi-detached houses in the same community. It improves relative affordability compared to if they are not widely available.

Citywide base zoning will also allow new community builders to respond to housing demand more organically, without the need to rezone land parcels when consumer preferences change.

Rezoning helps to revitalize maturing communities

Cities are constantly growing and changing, and our communities need to keep pace! 

Most mature communities, especially those built prior to 1980, are below their historical peak population. Due to declining population in those areas, and higher efficiency houses being built, there is existing infrastructure capacity (roads, transit stops, water and wastewater management, etc.) to handle more types of housing.

Additional benefits of having diverse homes across the city:

• Walkable communities with amenities like schools, parks, and grocery stores.
• Attraction of new businesses and people to Calgary.
• Creation of interactive spaces that encourage connection and a sense of togetherness.
• Long-term support towards a sustainable and greener future, through things like access to pathways and increasing transit options to encourage low-carbon modes of transportation.
• Costs to maintain utilities, roads, and sidewalks and other amenities are shared among a larger population, helping to keep property taxes down.
• Allows Calgarians the opportunity to live and remain in the same community close to friends, family, and the things we know and enjoy, as our housing needs change over our lifetime.

Rezoning supports climate action

Creating attractive communities requires thoughtful planning.  The future sustainability and livability of older communities is being challenged as new communities build more housing and absorb larger portions of the city's population growth. 

Encouraging more housing in existing communities is one of the most powerful actions the City can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve our climate goals.  Allowing more housing within the existing footprint of the city improves our sustainability by:

• Allowing more people to live in new, more efficient homes.  New housing can be 35-50% more energy efficient than the older housing it replaces.
• Decreasing the distance between trips to work, school or amenities.
• Creating more opportunities to get around the city by walking, biking, or taking transit.
• Preserving natural grassland and agricultural land on the outskirts of the city.

For these reasons, the Municipal Development Plan (MDP), the Calgary Climate Strategy, and the Climate Implementation Plan encourage more housing to be developed in existing neighbourhoods.