How the process works

Development permit - phases information

At The City of Calgary, we’re committed to making decisions within the following timeframes:

Houses (includes single, semi-detached, townhouse and rowhouses): 90-120 days
Change of Use (Permitted Uses): 7-14 days
Change of Use (Discretionary Uses, Permitted with relaxation and Signs): 60 days
All other development permits: 120 days

Note: Some applications may be placed on a customized timeline.

Development permit status description (for accessibility purpose)

Application submitted
Under review
Decision

Click on a status to learn more:

Application submitted

	Application submitted
	This application has been received but has not been assigned to a file manager.

Under review

	Under review
	If required by the Land Use Bylaw, a sign is placed on the site providing information about the application. Some applications are sent to certain parties for comment (e.g. the ward councillor, community association and utility companies). City staff and impacted parties (e.g. ward councillor offices, business improvement areas, community associations, Province of Alberta, utility companies) review the application. The review considers: Policies e.g., Municipal Development Plan, community Area Redevelopment Plan Bylaws e.g., Land Use Bylaw, Parks, and Pathways Bylaw Guidelines e.g., Low Density Residential Housing Guidelines in Established Communities, Liquor Store Separation Distance Guideline Comments from the public. This is your opportunity to provide input. Following the review, City staff make a decision on the application.

If required by the Land Use Bylaw, a sign is placed on the site providing information about the application. Some applications are sent to certain parties for comment (e.g. the ward councillor, community association and utility companies).

City staff and impacted parties (e.g. ward councillor offices, business improvement areas, community associations, Province of Alberta, utility companies) review the application. The review considers:

Policies
- e.g., Municipal Development Plan, community Area Redevelopment Plan
Bylaws
- e.g., Land Use Bylaw, Parks, and Pathways Bylaw
Guidelines
- e.g., Low Density Residential Housing Guidelines in Established Communities, Liquor Store Separation Distance Guideline
Comments from the public. This is your opportunity to provide input.

Following the review, City staff make a decision on the application.

Decision

	Decision
	City staff make a decision on the application. If approved, City staff will identify tasks that must be completed before construction starts. Construction cannot begin until after the noted tasks are completed. In advertising After a development permit* is approved, it will be advertised on The City of Calgary’s public notices webpage for 21 days. Affected parties may file an appeal to the applicable appeal board; the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) or the Land and Property Rights (LPRT). These boards are quasi-judicial boards that are independent of The City of Calgary. Appeals must be made within the 21-day advertising period and the appeal board may uphold, overturn, or modify The City of Calgary’s decision and/or conditions of approval. More information on the boards and filing an appeal can be found at SDAB and LPRT. Development permits for uses identified as permitted that conform to the rules of the land use bylaw are not advertised and the decision cannot be appealed. Permit released* Once the conditions of the development permit have been met, the permit is released to the applicant and a building permit application may be submitted. A development permit is valid for a fixed period of time. If construction has not commenced by the specified date, the permit lapses and a new development permit application must be submitted.

City staff make a decision on the application. If approved, City staff will identify tasks that must be completed before construction starts. Construction cannot begin until after the noted tasks are completed.

In advertising

After a development permit* is approved, it will be advertised on The City of Calgary’s public notices webpage for 21 days. Affected parties may file an appeal to the applicable appeal board; the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) or the Land and Property Rights (LPRT). These boards are quasi-judicial boards that are independent of The City of Calgary. Appeals must be made within the 21-day advertising period and the appeal board may uphold, overturn, or modify The City of Calgary’s decision and/or conditions of approval. More information on the boards and filing an appeal can be found at SDAB and LPRT.

*Development permits for uses identified as permitted that conform to the rules of the land use bylaw are not advertised and the decision cannot be appealed.

Permit released

Once the conditions of the development permit have been met, the permit is released to the applicant and a building permit application may be submitted. A development permit is valid for a fixed period of time. If construction has not commenced by the specified date, the permit lapses and a new development permit application must be submitted.

Land use redesignation - phases information

At the City of Calgary, we are committed to making decisions on all land use redesignation applications within 180 days.

Land use redesignation status description (for accessibility purpose)

Application submitted
Under review
Planning Commission
Public hearing
Decision

Click on a status to learn more:

Application submitted

	Application submitted
	This application has been received but not been assigned to a file manager. Land Use Redesignations may also be accompanied by: an outline plan typically showing the overall land use pattern as well as the location of public open space, schools, roads, utilities and other infrastructure. Outline plans are typically submitted for new communities where the land has not been subdivided, or for redeveloping large areas of existing communities. a road closure application to remove specified portions of road, lane or road right-of-way from the public road system. NOTE: It is the practice of The City of Calgary to accept all submitted applications to redesignate land. The merits of the application are assessed during the review.

This application has been received but not been assigned to a file manager.

Land Use Redesignations may also be accompanied by:

an outline plan typically showing the overall land use pattern as well as the location of public open space, schools, roads, utilities and other infrastructure. Outline plans are typically submitted for new communities where the land has not been subdivided, or for redeveloping large areas of existing communities.
a road closure application to remove specified portions of road, lane or road right-of-way from the public road system.

NOTE: It is the practice of The City of Calgary to accept all submitted applications to redesignate land. The merits of the application are assessed during the review.

Under review

	Under review
	City staff and impacted parties (e.g. ward councillor offices, business improvement areas, community associations, Province of Alberta, utility companies) review the application. The review considers: Policies e.g. Municipal Development Plan, Community Area Redevelopment Plan Bylaws e.g. Land Use Bylaw, Parks and Pathways Bylaw Guidelines e.g. Low Density Residential Housing Guidelines in Established Communities, Liquor Store Separation Distance Guideline Comments from the public. This is your opportunity to provide input. Following the review, City staff prepare a report for Calgary Planning Commission (CPC). CPC makes a recommendation on the application for Council’s consideration. Council will then make a decision on the application during the Public Hearing.

Policies
- e.g. Municipal Development Plan, Community Area Redevelopment Plan
Bylaws
- e.g. Land Use Bylaw, Parks and Pathways Bylaw
Guidelines
- e.g. Low Density Residential Housing Guidelines in Established Communities, Liquor Store Separation Distance Guideline
Comments from the public. This is your opportunity to provide input.

Following the review, City staff prepare a report for Calgary Planning Commission (CPC). CPC makes a recommendation on the application for Council’s consideration. Council will then make a decision on the application during the Public Hearing.

Planning Commission

	Planning Commission
	City staff make a presentation about the application to Calgary Planning Commission (CPC). CPC makes a recommendation on the application for Council’s consideration. Council will then make a decision on the application during the Public Hearing. View the Commission's meeting agenda, minutes and videos here. NOTE: The meetings of the Calgary Planning Commission are held in public; however, they are not public hearings. Unless requested by the Commission to answer questions, neither applicants nor members of the public are entitled to speak.

City staff make a presentation about the application to Calgary Planning Commission (CPC).
CPC makes a recommendation on the application for Council’s consideration. Council will then make a decision on the application during the Public Hearing.
View the Commission's meeting agenda, minutes and videos here.

NOTE: The meetings of the Calgary Planning Commission are held in public; however, they are not public hearings. Unless requested by the Commission to answer questions, neither applicants nor members of the public are entitled to speak.

Public Hearing

	Public Hearing
	City staff make a presentation about the application to City Council. Council listens to members of the public speak about the application. Council debates and makes a decision on the application. Council’s decision cannot be appealed, unless there was a procedural error during the meeting. View Council’s meeting agendas, minutes and videos here. Contact The City Clerk's Office for more information about Public Hearings. The City invites you to share your comments about this application with Council: In writing at calgary.ca/PublicSubmissions During the public hearing register to speak by contacting PublicSubmissions@calgary.ca or 403-268-5861

City staff make a presentation about the application to City Council.
Council listens to members of the public speak about the application. Council debates and makes a decision on the application.
Council’s decision cannot be appealed, unless there was a procedural error during the meeting.
- View Council’s meeting agendas, minutes and videos here.
- Contact The City Clerk's Office for more information about Public Hearings.

The City invites you to share your comments about this application with Council:

In writing at calgary.ca/PublicSubmissions
During the public hearing register to speak by contacting PublicSubmissions@calgary.ca or 403-268-5861

Decision

	Decision
	Following the public hearing, City Council discusses the application and makes a decision to approve, refuse, or table the decision to a later date. Council agendas, minutes, live video streams and archived videos are available for viewing online . NOTE: Unless there has been an error on a point of law (e.g. a legally binding procedural requirement has not be followed), the Council decision is final and cannot be appealed.

Following the public hearing, City Council discusses the application and makes a decision to approve, refuse, or table the decision to a later date.
Council agendas, minutes, live video streams and archived videos are available for viewing online .

NOTE: Unless there has been an error on a point of law (e.g. a legally binding procedural requirement has not be followed), the Council decision is final and cannot be appealed.

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.