Development Site Servicing Plans (DSSP)

Guidelines


DSSP Pre-requisites and co-requisites

On August 26, 2021, the City of Calgary will be transitioning to a new workflow system for managing Development Site Servicing Plans (DSSPs). As part of this transition Small Format Revisions to DSSPs will no longer be able to be submitted and processed.

Should there be any minor revision required to an approved DSSP due to an unexpected field condition the applicant will need to contact the WR-DA reviewer directly to determine if the situation and scope of change meets the above conditions (meaning an approved DSSP and the proposed change is the result of a field issue).

If the revision does match this criteria it will be submitted in the same fashion as a typical revision with the minor change clearly highlighted. The WR-DA reviewer will expedite the review in a similar time frame as the current small format revision. Should there be any questions or concerns please contact Ben Smith, Coordinator of Water Resources Development Approvals at Ben.Smith@calgary.ca

Prior to a DSSP submission, a stormwater management report is required for:

  • Sites without servicing by a storm sewer system.
  • Zero discharge sites.
  • Sites with a stormwater retention pond.
  • Any developments flagged by Water Resources to require a Stormwater Management Report in the Development Permit.

A stormwater management technical memo, and computer-generated model are required to be submitted with a DSSP for the following scenarios:

  • Where the public storm system is in surcharge conditions.
  • Sites where Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Source Control Practices (SCPs) are proposed to reduce on-site storage requirements and control run-off volume.

A computer-generated storm model is required to be submitted with the DSSP for the following scenarios:

  • Designs with more than 5 trap lows.
  • Designs with the inlet control devices (ICD’s) in series.
  • Where trap lows spill at different elevations

Application fees


  • Initial fee $1,533.00 includes 1st and 2nd review. Note: no portion of the application fee is refundable.
  • Additional reviews $219.00 each.

What to Submit


A DSSP shall meet all of the criteria stated below:

  1. One PDF file including all design drawings listed below. Plans must be unlocked for commenting. All plans must be to metric scale (minimum 1:100 maximum 1:1000) on 600mm x 900mm paper sized PDF. For information on the content required on the DSSP plans review to the DSSP guidelines.
    • Sheet 1: Site servicing plan
    • Sheet 2: Grading plan
    • Sheet 3: Stormwater management plan and calculations
    • Sheet 4: Details
    • Sheet 5: Architectural floor plan showing the water meter room location
  2. A separate file with the fire prevention plans(s). The plan will be circulated to fire, then to water resources internally. 
  3. A cover letter should be provided outlining any deviations from the guidelines or other relevant information.
  4. Storm water model and oil-grit separator calculations must be included where applicable as separate files.

How to Submit


Call 403-268-5311 or use the online chat to initiate DSSP application. Provide the following information: 

  • Applicant name
  • Company name
  • Company address with postal Code
  • Contact phone number
  • DP #
  • Address of project

An email with a URL will be sent to submit plans via OneDrive. Once drawings are confirmed to have met all requirements, a representative will call for payment.  

Revisions after inspection

No further reviews are allowed once inspections on a site are complete and the file has been closed. Any revisions to a site after this time must be completed as a new DSSP submission.

Payment submission processes


Storm redevelopment levy

As per the Storm Redevelopment Bylaw, a storm redevelopment fee ($84/m frontage) will be required, within the storm redevelopment area, prior to receiving a DSSP approval.

Applicants are to contact Development Approvals, Water Resources, to determine the fee that should be included with the water EPay service.

Confirmation of payment should be emailed to
WA-ResourcesDevelopmentApprovals@calgary.ca, with the DSSP number clearly identified in the email subject line.

Inspections services

All inspections are to be paid for using water EPay services. The information provided in water EPay under fees will assist in determining the appropriate item selection.

Inspections forms

The appropriate form must be completed to initiate the request from Inspection Services. All required information must be provided. Failure to do so will result in rejection of the request. (Internet Explorer with Adobe Acrobat Reader, or direct download recommended).

Intake for inspections

Fees for inspections will be paid for by package as before but will need to be completed online via water EPay by credit card or debit card. An EPay receipt will be sent to the applicants e-mail upon completion.

The DSSP inspection request form must be fully completed to be accepted for processing. Some of the requirements include: the appropriate DSSP number, inspection zone, and contact information for the lot owner, engineer of record, prime contractor designation, and contractor.

Completed DSS Inspection request forms, along with the attached water EPay receipts (scanned attachment or copy/paste), are to be directed to: WaterUtilityInspections@calgary.ca.

The subject line of the email must include the DSSP number, address, and inspection zone.

Requests must be submitted at least 48 hours (excluding weekends and statutory holidays) in advance, to allow for appropriate scheduling.

Cancellation of any request requires 24 hours notice (excluding weekends and statutory holidays) by the applicant, or a minimum of one inspection will be charged.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to keep track of the number of inspections used and request for additional inspection services as required.

As per the Utility Site Servicing Bylaw, re-inspections will be at the cost of an extra regular inspection.

Once inspection has been initiated, any construction inactivity longer than 48 hours will require a restart notification to be submitted to the email address above and using the subject line outlined above.

Restart notifications must be submitted at least 48 hours (excluding weekends and statutory holidays) in advance. Restart notifications are used only when inspection fees have been paid for and after construction inactivity.

Additional inspections can be purchased through the EPay system; The EPay receipt must be attached to a resubmitted DDS Inspection request form.

Inspection fees

Base fee

A fee for inspections is due at time of application and is applicable to commercial, industrial, or high-density residential premises but excludes single detached, semi-detached, duplex or triplex premises. A set number of inspections are included in the base fee.

Additional fee

For an additional fee, extra inspections may be added at time of application. The additional fee is due at time of application and applies to each additional inspection added to the base fee.

Re-inspection fee

Applicable where the extra inspection service trip is required because of the applicant’s failure to ensure compliance with the requirements of a utility site servicing application or because of inadequate or unsafe conditions (including but not limited to the situation where The City is unable to gain access to the premises to be inspected at the time of inspection).

This fee applies to each return trip by The City of Calgary service employees or personnel made in addition to the inspections pursuant to the base fee and additional fee, and is collected as two times the additional fee.

All questions pertaining to fees should be directed to WaterUtilityInspections@calgary.ca.

Site inspection requirements

Inspection by The City is not to be considered a substitute for supervision, due diligence and inspection by the engineer of record, lot owner, or contractor.

Inspection reports will be issued to the contractor and copied to the engineer and owner; all applicable requirements will be enforced.

All service connections to the public system as well as any alterations of the public system, are to be performed only by an indemnified contractor, and meet all requirements of the City Standard Specifications.

Water services from the property line up to and including the master control valve must meet all requirements of the City Waterworks Standard Specifications and as approved by The City.

Stormwater inspections

Stormwater flow restriction devices (e.g. inlet control devices) are present at time of construction completion as per approved DSSP.

Stormwater quality management devices (e.g. oil-grit separators) are present as per approved DSSP.

Stormwater storage devices are present as per approved DSSP.

Any anticipated adverse impacts on public health and safety, public infrastructure or stormwater management are to result in direction to the lot owner and their representatives to correct such impact.


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. ​