The Calgary Real Estate Review

While most commercial land use districts are commonly associated with shopping centre and other retail uses, they actually incorporate a wide array of applications.   Restaurants, office buildings, movie theatres, medical clinics and places of worship are just some examples.  Commercial development occurs on scales ranging from neighbourhood shops and services to regional commercial centres.

Each Commercial District has a clear purpose, which is articulated through the appropriate bylaws and regulations pertaining to that type of district.   All commercial districts have been created with a specific purpose in mind, such as pedestrian oriented, or auto oriented.  District rules are designed to reflect the are in which the commercial site is going to serve.  Some examples are neighbourhood, community or regional market areas.

There are currently 11 commercial districts in the City of Calgary.

1. Commercial – Neighbourhood 1 District – C-N1

Generally located in existing communities, these commercial districts cater to  typically small scale retail operations such as personal services.   The buildings are located close to the sidewalk and oriented for direct pedestrian access with no provisions for additional parking in front.   These developments are contextually sensitive, and may include low, medium or high density uses.  Business size is restricted to prevent large operations from monopolizing the area.

2. Commercial – Neighbourhood 2 District – C-N2

Usually located in new communities, these districts are typically small-scale retail and personal service developments, primarily accessed by automobile.  They are adjacent to residential homes, and therefore need to be developed with minimal impact on the neighbouring homes.  Safe and convenient access for pedestrian and automobile traffic is required.  Use sizes are limited to ensure compatibility with the neighbourhood.

3. Commercial – Community 1 District – C-C1

These small to medium-scale commercial developments accommodate both pedestrian and vehicular access and are typically located along a commercial street or within a community.   Landscaping and setbacks minimize the impact on nearby residential development. These sites provide retail and commercial services to a few neighbourhoods and allow for a larger range and size of commercial uses, such as grocery stores.

4. Commercial – Community 2 District – C-C2

These medium-scale commercial developments are typically located on the boundary of several communities and feature comprehensively  designed developments with several buildings.    The sites have a variety of building and use sizes sharing parking and provide for both pedestrian an vehicular access.  Since these sites are larger in area and provide more parking and larger landscaped areas, larger uses and buildings are provided for.

5. Commercial – Corridor 1 District – C-COR1

These sites typically contain small-scale retail and personal services type businesses and are located along pedestrian-oriented corridors with storefronts on both sides of the street.  These commercial corridors are often located in historical or revitalized areas where the buildings are close to the sidewalk with little or no parking provisions, except perhaps for some metered parking.  New rules reinforce this development pattern by limiting automobile oriented uses and requiring the storefront to be close to the sidewalk.

6. Commercial – Corridor 2 District – C-COR2

These developments typically include small to medium-scale retail and personal service type businesses.  The district also provides for a mix of auto-oriented and pedestrian oriented buildings.   They may occur along some commuter routes or on the outskirts of pedestrian-oriented corridors.

7. Commercial – Corridor 3 District – C-COR3

These districts typically accommodate small to medium-scale auto oriented uses.  They are located along higher volume roads and highways.  Each site must provide its own access, parking and landscaping.  This district is not intended to accommodate large format retail (big-box stores).

8. Commercial – Office District – C-O

This district recognizes existing office development and has provisions for new office development in strategic locations.   Small-scale retail and personal service uses that support the office function may occupy a minor portion of the building.

9. Commercial – Regional 1 District – C-R1

This district is intended to provide for large-scale retail developments that typically contain one use on the site.  These locations are almost always along major roads and access is primarily by car.  The development standards consider parking, building design, landscaping and pedestrian movement to enhance the appearance and function of the sites.

10. Commercial – Regional 2 District – C-R2

These include large-scale enclosed shopping malls, characterized by a shared parking lot, buildings located in the centre of a large site and surface parking all around.  These sites ware usually located along major roads and are accessible by public transit.  Smaller free-standing buildings may be allowed around the perimeter of the site.

11.  Commercial – Regional 3 District – C-R3

This district provides for the development of large-format retail, restaurant and entertainment style buildings.  The sites usually require large tracts of land and allow for a variety of building sizes and uses.  The development rules consider the location of the buildings, traffic and pedestrian circulation within the site, parking, landscaping, pedestrian amenities and building design.

My thanks to the City of Calgary Development and Building for their assistance with the information provided for in this article.  While it is deemed to be accurate at this time, as a  guideline, members of the public are reminded that the final authority on such matters belongs with the City of Calgary, and therefore should be consulted whenever possible.

See also:

Medium Density Land Use Zoning within the City of Calgary
Low Density Land Use Zoning within the City of Calgary
Zoning Regulations for Secondary Suites within the City of Calgary
Development & Building Permits within the City of Calgary

This information is provided as a public service.  I look forward to your future business.