Planning & Development resource library
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 Region Growth Plan
- Regional Evaluation Framework
- 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
- Calgary Climate Strategy Pathways to 2050
- 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 for Local Area Planning
- 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
- Landscape Design Guide for Small Residential Sites
- 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
- Planning Actions for Climate Toolkit (PACT)
- 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
- Plus 15 Skywalk Network Map
- Plus 15 Policy
- 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.
- 50 Avenue SW Area Redevelopment Plan
- Albert Park/Radisson Heights 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
- 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
- Heritage Communities Local Area 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
- 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 Communities Local Area 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
- 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)
- Westbrook Communities Local Area Plan
- 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
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
- Beltline Parks and Public Realm Playbook
- Bonavista Design Brief
- Calgary Downtown Retail District Strategy
- Calgary North Phase 2 Community Plan
- Centre City Illumination Guidelines
- Centre City Mobility Plan Figures
- Centre City Mobility 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
- Greater Downtown Plan
- Improving Calgarys Entranceways
- Inner City Plan
- Inner City Transportation System Management Strategy
- LRT South Corridor Land Use Study
- Midnapore III Community Plan
- 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
Waste and Recycling Services requirements
Standard specifications for roads construction
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
Cathodic Protection Installation
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2018 |
Capital project construction signs
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2018 |
Infrastructure Servicing
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 1999 | ||
|
Internal Guide - Fire Flow Review for Development Applications |
January 1, 2018 | |
| January 1, 2012 | ||
| January 1, 2012 | ||
|
Wastewater Systems Standards for Performance and Design, Part 3 |
January 1, 2013 | |
| January 1, 2013 | ||
| January 1, 2013 |
Standard specifications for water construction
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard Specifications for Waterworks Construction - 2022 NEW |
January 1, 2023 | |
| May 1, 2020 | ||
| March 25, 2015 | ||
| 2018 |
Standard specifications for sewer construction
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | ||
| June 20, 2020 |
Standard specifications for roads construction
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
Roads construction 2021 (Current) |
January 1, 2021 | |
|
Roads construction 2015 (Current) |
January 1, 2015 |
Standard specifications for landscape construction
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
January 8, 2024 |
||
|
Landscape construction 2023 (Superceded) |
July 13, 2022 | |
|
Landscape construction 2021 (Superceded) |
January 1, 2021 | |
|
Landscape construction 2020 (Superseded) |
January 1, 2020 | |
|
Landscape construction 2019 (Superseded) |
January 1, 2019 | |
|
Landscape construction 2018 (Superseded) |
January 1, 2018 | |
|
Landscape construction 2017 (Superseded) |
January 1, 2017 |
Standard specifications for street lighting construction
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
Design Symbols for Street Light Luminaires and Poles (Jan. 2023) |
||
|
Street lighting construction 2006 (Current) |
January 1, 2006 | |
Design manuals and guidelines
Design guidelines for subdivision surfacing
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| October 1, 2020 | ||
| November 1, 2014 to October 1, 2020 | ||
| January 1, 2012 to November 1, 2014 | ||
| June 11, 2024 | ||
|
Design guidelines for subdivision servicing 2004 (Superseded) |
Feburary 1, 2004 |
Addendum 1 (2011-04-01) - Flushing velocities and Manning's 'N' |
Design guidelines for bridges and transportation structures
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
Design guidelines for City of Calgary bridges and transportation structures |
May 31, 2024 |
Design guidelines for Development Site Servicing Plans (DSSP)
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2018 | ||
| June 1, 2015 | ||
| August 31, 2012 | ||
|
Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) 2008 (Superseded) |
February 1, 2008 | |
|
Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) Complete Application Requirement List (CARL) (revised 2013-02-15) |
July 30, 2012 | |
|
Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) circulation stamp DSSP circulation stamp (.dwg) DSSP circulation stamp (.dgn) |
2018-05-01 |
Geotechnical Guidelines for Land Development Applications
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2017 |
Waste and Recycling Services requirements
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2015 |
Sewer bypass pumping guidelines
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| October 15, 2020 |
Wastewater lift stations
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| November 11, 2016 |
Design and construction of sewer pipes
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard practice for design and construction of flexible thermoplastic sewer pipe |
July 30, 2009 | |
|
Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Rigid Gravity Sewer Pipe |
July 30, 2009 |
Design and construction of feederman pipes
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| March 4, 2021 |
Consulting engineers field services guidelines
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
Consulting engineers field services guidelines - 7th edition |
January 1, 2020 | |
|
Consulting engineers field services guidelines 2012 Consulting engineers field services guidelines forms |
January 1, 2012 | |
| January 1, 2004 |
Stormwater management and design manual
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2011 |
Guidelines for erosion and sediment control
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
Erosion and sediment control guidelines (Current) |
May 8, 2023 |
Field manual for effective erosion and sediment control
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2011 |
Design guidelines for street lighting
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ||
| Present | ||
| Present |
Servicing guidelines for new single family / semi-detached / duplex dwellings in the developed area
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
Residential grades Complete Application Requirement List (CARL) |
August 31, 2012 | |
| December 2, 2021 |
Design guidelines for City of Calgary funded buildings
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2021 | ||
| January 1, 2011 |
Other publications
Access Design Standard - is required to be applied ONLY on City of Calgary owned / operated facilities – please speak with the project manager for the City owned project you are working on for details
Standard Block Profile Specifications
Note: These include Capital Project Block Profile Specifications, subject to the project coordinator
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
|
Block profile 2019 (Current) |
January 1, 2020 |
Bylaws
| Version | Effective Date | Addenda |
|---|---|---|
| The Utiltiy Site Servicing bylaw 33M2005 | January 1, 2012 |
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.
The Suburban Growth Report is five-year growth forecast produced annually and the Monthly Lot Supply report is a ready-to-build lot inventory 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 Adam Burghardt at Adam.Burghardt@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
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Find development approvals review team staff to contact about specific applications.