In case you weren’t paying attention, the entire land use zoning regulation system has gone through an entire overhaul here in the City of Calgary. What you thought you knew about residential development has pretty much gone right out the window. I will try and clarify the new rules as best I can.
Firstly, the City of Calgary now differentiates between existing communities which have been previously developed and have completed their initial residential development (Developed Areas) and those which are less than 70% developed. It is important to remember that Developed Areas will not become Developing Areas once they complete their initial development and move into a redevelopment phase.
Here is a current map for your reference.
Developing Area Districts
The rules in the four land use districts for Developing Areas are designed to allow flexibility and encourage innovation in communities in their development stages. New buildings are not required to take into account surrounding development as is done in the Developed Area land use districts. The revised rules allow builders to offer consumers homes with higher ceilings and steeper roof pitches.
Residential, One-Dwelling District (R-1)
Accommodates residential development in the form of single family detached dwellings in Developing Areas.
- An 11.0 metre maximum building height can be increased to 12 metres when the parcel is 15.0 metres or wider.
- Secondary Suites can be added as a discretionary use through a redesignation to the R-1s district.
R-1s – Same as R-1 with the addition of secondary suites as a discretionary use.
Residential, Narrow Lot, One-Dwelling District (R-1N)
Allows for residential development in the form of single detached dwellings in the Developing Area, on small or narrow parcels
- A narrow parcel single detached district (minimum 7.5 metres).
- When a parcel width is 10.0 metres or greater, the maximum building height is 11.0 metres.
Residential One/Two Dwelling District (R-2)
Accommodates residential development in the form of single detached, semi-detached and duplex homes in the Developing Area
- Allows semi-detached dwellings on 13.0 metre wide parcels.
- Allows single detached dwellings on 7.5 metre wide parcels.
- Secondary suites are a discretionary use on an 11.0 or 13.0 metre wide parcel, depending on form.
Residential Low Density Multiple Dwelling District (R-2M)
Allows for residential development in the form of semi-detached and duplex dwellings, as well as townhouses and row housing. The intent is to provide a variety of housing choices to be developed in an area and allow higher densities to be achieved, while still maintaining a low density scale.
- Row-houses can occur on 5.0 metre wide parcels.
Developed Area Districts
In Developed Areas, the low density residential district regulations are intended to ensure additions to existing homes and infill houses reflect the context of adjacent houses, while still allowing for some evolution of the community
Residential Contextual, One-Dwelling District (R-C1)
Provides existing residential development and contextually sensitive redevelopment in the form of single detached dwellings in the Developed area.
- Allows single detached dwellings on 12.0 metre or wider parcels.
- Secondary Suites can be added as a discretionary use through a re-designation to the R-C1s district.
Residential Contextual, Large Lot, One-Dwelling District (R-C1L)
Provides for existing residential development and contextually sensitive redevelopment in the form of single detached dwellings on large lots.
- Allows single detached dwellings on 24.0 metre or wider parcels.
- Secondary Suites can be allowed by adding a modifier through a re-designation.
R-C1Ls – Same as R-C1L with the addition of secondary suites as a discretionary use.
Residential Contextual, Narrow Lot, One-Dwelling District (R-C1N)
Provides for existing residential development and contextually sensitive redevelopment in the form of single detached dwellings, in the Developed Area on narrow or small lots.
- Allows single detached dwellings on 7.5 to 11.0 metre wide parcels.
Residential Contextual, One/Two Dwelling District (R-C2)
Provides for existing residential development and contextually sensitive redevelopment in the form of single detached, semi-detached and duplex dwellings in the Developed Area.
- Allows single detached dwellings on 7.5 metre or wider parcels.
- Allows semi-detached dwellings on 13.0 metre wide parcels.
- Secondary suites are a discretionary use on 15.0 metre wide parcels.
City Wide Districts
City Wide Development may occur in the either the Developed or Developing Areas within the City of Calgary, under the following land use designations.
Residential Manufactured Home District (R-MH)
Intended to accommodate manufactured homes on individual parcels or in a manufactured home park.
Residential Low Density Cottage Housing District (R-CH)
Residential cottage housing provides for single detached dwellings and semi-detached dwellings to be developed at a higher density than is typical of the low density residential districts.
- Includes small "cottages", in the form of single detached dwellings, semi-detached dwellings, or triplexes, developed in a "cluster" on a parcel with a minimum width of 22.0 metres.
- Allows for the opportunity for smaller, potentially more affordable housing.
- Allows for the opportunity to provide a somewhat higher density development in a low density residential built form.
This information was provided for in consultation with the City of Calgary and is subject to change at any time. It is deemed to be accurate at the time of writing, however for the most up to date information on low density land use information please consult the City of Calgary Land Use Bylaw 1P2007.
If you found this information useful, please be sure and forward on.
