Repeal of Citywide Rezoning
Repeal of Citywide Rezoning
2026 Council decision
On April 8, 2026 City Council approved a repeal of blanket rezoning with amendments and motions arising. We are currently determining how these actions and amendments will be implemented.
Read more below2026 Council decision
On April 8, 2026 City Council approved a repeal of blanket rezoning with amendments and motions arising. We are currently determining how these actions and amendments will be implemented.
Council decision summary
Approved Recommendations
1. Reinstate the low-density residential zones into Land Use Bylaw 1P2007
2. Change the zoning of parcels back to their state prior to 2024 August 6
Any properties that were rezoned in 2024 and have not applied or been approved for an R-CG/R-G/H-GO development will revert back to the previous land use district.
3. Exempt Parcels that Meet Specific Criteria from this Redesignation
Properties that meet the criteria below will be exempted from a zoning change:
- Received approval for a permit or subdivision application under R-CG, R-G, or H-GO zoning before the proposed bylaw takes effect; or
- Submitted a permit or subdivision application before the first reading of the proposed bylaw; or
- Rezoned through an approved rezoning application applied for by the property owner after August 6, 2024.
4. Reverse Rezoning for Housing Rule Changes
Any rule changes that were approved as part of Rezoning for Housing have been reversed:
- A property can no longer build both a secondary suite and a backyard suite. May only have either a secondary suite or a backyard suite.
- Backyard suites can no longer be built on properties with semi-detached homes.
- Backyard suites will have a parking requirement again.
5. Amend the R-CG Zone
Approved changes to the R-CG zone that will apply to future developments after August 4, 2026:
- Maximum height is lowered from 11m to 10m.
- Maximum lot coverage is lowered from 60% to 55%.
- Zero lot line developments are no longer allowed.
- Rowhouses that meet all rules can be a permitted use in R-CG again, same as prior to the citywide rezoning in 2024.
Motions Arising
6. R-CG Zone Testing and Modelling
Direct Administration to undertake technical modelling to:
- Evaluate a reduction in R-CG maximum density from 75 to 60 units per hectare and if appropriate bring any required Land Use Bylaw rule changes back to the July 26, 2026 Public Hearing; and
- R-CG rule changes including contextual front setbacks, number of buildings on a property, and restricting rowhouses and townhouses mid-block, as part of the new Zoning Bylaw.
7. Change Secondary and Backyard Suites to Permitted Uses
Direct Administration to bring back amendments to the land use bylaw to allow for secondary suites and backyard suites to be permitted uses in all low-density residential districts. These changes will be brought forward at the July 21, 2026, public hearing for further consideration for approval by Council.
8. Support Strategic Council Discussion on Growth Opportunities
Direct Administration to prepare for the July 16, 2026, Strategic Meeting of Council information, analysis and discussion with respect to where and how more housing can occur in Calgary in alignment with the draft growth split target, with a focus on nodes and corridors, transit-oriented development, and brownfield sites.
9. Rezone Properties with Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Refusals
Directed Administration to bring a report to a public hearing in Q4 that reverts the zoning of properties that had an application refused by the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.
We should have 5 things here aligned with the 5 recommendations that were approved - can align with what was in the ppt
Along with the actual motion arising, can we include what this means and next steps please.
How this may impact you
Homeowners
The zoning for your property may change. You can find zoning information for your property by using the interactive address map. Enter your address in the search field and the search results will display your current zoning as well as the new zoning. You may also use the map to click on properties to find out zoning information.
Use the Low Density Residential District Overview to find out what that means for development rules on your property. Need assistance? Call 403-268-5311.
Planning Applicants
City Council has directed City Administration to exempt some parcels with active planning applications (subdivision, development permit, building permit). If you have submitted a complete application, you may be exempt from the repeal of zoning and may retain your current zoning.
Key Date
April 8, 2026 (First Reading)
You may be exempt from the rezoning repeal if:
- Your application was complete and submitted before April 8, 2026
- or your Development Permit (DP) is approved before August 4, 2026
You are not exempt if:
- Your application was incomplete at submission and required additional documents after April 8, 2026
- Your finalized (complete) submission date falls after April 8, 2026
Why this matters
Depending on your situation:
- Development Permits (DPs) may still qualify for exemption if approved before August 4, 2026
- Building Permits (BPs) follow the outcome of your Development Permit and underlying land use rules
This means different rules may apply to your project depending on your permit type and timing. Please contact your file manager for more information.
Note: Staff are currently working with a larger file load, as they work through the impacts of the citywide zoning repeal. Please note that current timelines may be extended during this time, as responses will take longer than expected.
Note: land use and development applications
With recent changes to blanket rezoning, your application status and which rules apply may depend on when and how your permit was submitted. See the “How this may impact you” section below for more information
Housing support
If you are experiencing housing hardship or require housing or domestic violence support, please contact:
- 211 for social supports 24/7
- Distress Centre 24/7 (403) 266-4357
Low density residential district overview
Resources
- Council decision summary
- Public Hearing Meeting of Council: March 23- April 8, 2026 Meeting minutes
Interactive address map
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Rezoning for Housing been repealed?
Yes, Council repealed citywide rezoning on April 8, 2026. The zoning rule changes will come into effect on August 4, 2026.
Will my property’s zoning change?
On August 4, 2026, 99% of properties will return to the zoning that applied before Rezoning for Housing. See the Proposed land use map for information on your future zoning.
Now that Rezoning for Housing is repealed and I am no longer zoned R-CG, does that mean I can’t build a rowhouse on my lot?
You may still be able to build a rowhouse – you would need to receive an approved Land Use Redesignation from City Council to a different land use district which allows for rowhomes, as well as a development permit and building permit.
I am a property owner. Do I need to do anything?
No action is required from property owners. This information is intended to inform you of the zoning change and how it may relate to your property or neighbourhood.
What happens to development applications that are already in progress?
Applications must continue to be processed under the current rules. If approved by City Council, the new rules would come into effect on August 4th, 2026.
What will happen to the parcel exemptions that qualified after January 1, 2026?
We will continue to review applications against the current district until implementation date. Administration will bring forward an additional amending bylaw to capture applications that qualified after January 1, 2026. The proposed Public Hearing date for the amending bylaw is July 21, 2026.
Timeline
About the proposed repeal of citywide rezoning
In 2024 City Council approved citywide rezoning with amendments in response to Calgary’s housing crisis, enabling an increased housing supply and housing choices. Rezoning for housing was one of 98 actions in the Home is Here: The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy.
On December 15, 2025, Council initiated the process to consider a repeal of the citywide Rezoning for Housing. This decision does not mean Rezoning for Housing has immediately been repealed. The current land use districts and development rules will remain in place until the effective date of the new bylaw. Council will make its final decision at the public hearing in March 2026 and all three readings of the bylaw are given.