Building advisories, bulletins and variances
These documents offer clarification on the application of the National Building Code – Alberta Edition, Canadian Electrical Code, National Plumbing Code and the Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code, as well as The City’s Land Use Bylaw. A bulletin is a regulation under a code. An advisory is an interpretation of a code or municipal regulation. A variance is written permission to modify the application of the code, provided that an equivalent or greater level of safety is provided.
All advisories, bulletins and variances posted, regardless of year of development and code cycle under which they were originally published, are valid. Note, these documents are subject to removal at any time.
Advisories have 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.
New Building Code resources
Building advisories - NBC 2023 (AE)
| Advisory number | Advisory title | Date approved | File |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Advisory number
:
B23-012 |
Advisory title : Protection of Openings Near Unenclosed Exterior Stairs and Ramps |
Date approved
:
2026/03/05 |
File : |
|
Advisory number
:
B23-011 |
Advisory title
:
Ventilation Requirements for Smoking Areas in Buildings |
Date approved
:
2025/05/20 |
File : |
|
Advisory number
:
B23-010 |
Advisory title
:
Professional Involvement Based on Complexity |
Date approved
:
2025/05/20 |
File : |
| Advisory number : B23-009 | Advisory title : Temporary Bleachers for Public Events | Date approved : 2025/03/18 | File : |
|
Advisory number
:
B23-008 (R1) |
Advisory title : Temporary Outdoor Tents and Canopies |
Date approved
:
2026/03/05 |
File : |
| Advisory number : B23-007 | Advisory title : Commercial Partial Building Permit Requirements for New Buildings and Additions | Date approved : 2025/02/12 | File : |
| Advisory number : B23-006 | Advisory title : Triplex, Fourplex Buildings with Secondary Suites, and Emergency Access | Date approved : 2025/02/12 | File : |
| Advisory number : B23-005 | Advisory title : Building Permit Complete Application | Date approved : 2024/08/01 | File : |
| Advisory number : B23-004 | Advisory title : District Energy and NECB Compliance | Date approved : 2024/06/17 | File : |
| Advisory number : B23-003 | Advisory title : Existing secondary suite frequently asked questions (FAQs) | Date approved : 2024/02/05 | File : |
| Advisory number : B23-002 | Advisory title : Secondary suites – existing prior to March 12, 2018 | Date approved : 2023/12/18 | File : |
| Advisory number : B23-001 | Advisory title : Building code transition from NBC 2019 (AE) to NBC 2023 (AE) | Date approved : 2023/12/18 | File : |
Building advisories - ABC 2014 / NBC 2019 (AE)
| Advisory type and code | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: June 26, 2023 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory A19-004 | Date: Aug. 31, 2022 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory A19-006 | Date: June 22, 2022 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory A19-005 | Date: June 1, 2022 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Oct. 2, 2020 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Oct. 1, 2020 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Mar. 1, 2020 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Oct. 31, 2019 |
Subject:
Building permit requirements for single vs multiple buildings |
| Advisory type and code: Buidling Advisory | Date: Oct. 25, 2019 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Buidling Advisory | Date: Oct. 9, 2019 |
Subject:
Administration of Apparent Sound Transmission Classification (ASTC) requirements |
| Advisory type and code: Buidling Advisory | Date: July 11, 2019 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Buidling Advisory | Date: July 10, 2019 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Buidling Advisory | Date: Dec. 21, 2018 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Aug. 1, 2017 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Nov. 14, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: July 30, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Apr. 28, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Apr. 20, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Apr. 18, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Mar. 30, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Mar. 11, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Mar. 8, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Mar. 8, 2016 |
Subject:
Standard form indemnity agreement for excavations adjacent to streets |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Mar. 7, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Mar. 1, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Jan. 30, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Jan. 22, 2016 |
Subject:
Commissioning 2014 Alberta Building Code - 2014 Alberta Fire Code |
| Advisory type and code: Building Advisory | Date: Nov. 1, 2016 | Subject: |
Regulation bulletins – ABC 2014
| 2014 Regulation bulletin | Title |
|---|---|
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-001 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-003 |
Title:
Distinguishing "localized depressions" for determination of grade |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-006 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-010 |
Title:
Release of electro-magnetic locking devices by light sensors |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-011 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-012 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-013 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-015 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-017 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-020 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-021 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-022 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-024 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-025 |
Title:
Application of the building code and the building permit bylaw |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-027 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-032 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-034 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-037 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-038 |
Title:
Party walls or suite separation walls continuing into crawl spaces |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-041 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-042 | Title: |
| 2014 Regulation bulletin: RB14-043 | Title: |
Development advisories
| Advisory type and code | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Advisory type and code: Development Advisory | Date: Sept. 1, 2017 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Development Advisory | Date: Apr. 30, 2017 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Development Advisory | Date: Mar. 15, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Development Advisory | Date: Feb. 14, 2016 | Subject: |
Electrical advisories
| Advisory type and code | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Advisory type and code: Electrical Advisory |
Date:
Dec. 12, 2025 |
Subject:
Standardized underground installation advisory for services to single-family dwelling units |
|
Advisory type and code:
Electrical Advisory |
Date:
April 2, 2025 |
Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Electrical Advisory | Date: July 24, 2024 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Electrical Advisory | Date: Nov. 1, 2018 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Electrical Advisory | Date: July 5, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Electrical Advisory | Date: Apr. 5, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code: Electrical Advisory | Date: Sept. 6, 2016 |
Subject:
Dangers of the incorrect incandescent light bulbs in lighting fixtures (over lamping) |
Plumbing and gas advisories
| Advisory type and code | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Advisory type and code : Gas Advisory | Date: Mar 22, 2024 |
Subject:
Maximum use of propane cylinders at indoor shows, exhibitions, or other similar events. |
| Advisory type and code : Plumbing Advisory P20-002 | Date: May 22, 2023 |
Subject:
Potable water systems and protection against thermal expansion |
| Advisory type and code : Plumbing Advisory P20-001 | Date: Apr. 26, 2023 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Plumbing Advisory P20-003 | Date: June. 25, 2026 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Gas Advisory G20-001 | Date: Jan. 3, 2023 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Plumbing Advisory P15-002 | Date: Oct. 4, 2022 |
Subject:
Secondary suites backwater valves and protection from backflow |
| Advisory type and code : Plumbing Advisory P15-001 | Date: Oct. 4, 2022 |
Subject:
Secondary suites, shut off valves, and potable water distribution systems |
| Advisory type and code : Building Advisory | Date: Feb. 3, 2021 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Gas Advisory | Date: Feb. 1, 2017 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Gas Advisory | Date: Jan. 15, 2017 |
Subject:
Clearance to combustible materials on gas cooking appliances |
| Advisory type and code : Gas Advisory | Date: Nov. 9, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Gas Advisory | Date: Nov. 1, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Building Advisory | Date: June 29, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Building Advisory | Date: June 23, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Plumbing Advisory | Date: June 5, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Gas Advisory | Date: Apr. 8, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Gas Advisory | Date: Mar. 8, 2016 | Subject: |
| Advisory type and code : Plumbing Advisory | Date: Mar. 5, 2016 | Subject: |
Variances
| Variance Policy and Supporting Documents | Date Approved | File |
|---|---|---|
| Variance Policy and Supporting Documents : Guide to Applying for an Alternative Solution (Variance) | Date Approved : 2023/11/23 | File : |
| Variance Policy and Supporting Documents : Request for Specific Variance | Date Approved : 2022/06/16 | File : |
| Variance Policy and Supporting Documents : New Standing Posted Variance Procedure | Date Approved : 2017/09/06 | File : |
| SPV Number | SPV Title | Date Approved | File |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPV Number : SPV-006 | SPV Title: Firewall in a Rowhouse with Secondary Suites | Date Approved: 2025/06/19 | File : |
| SPV Number : SPV-003 | SPV Title: Construction of Exposed Building Face | Date Approved: 2025/02/12 | File : |
| SPV Number : SPV-001 | SPV Title: Zero Lot Line Variance | Date Approved: 2026/03/05 | File : |
Contact us
Planning Services Centre
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Live chat: calgary.ca/livechat
Call: 403-268-5311
Web: Planning Services Centre
Development approvals review team
Find development approvals review team staff to contact about specific applications.
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