Building safety approval timelines
The City of Calgary has a team of dedicated professionals that play a key role in making sure anything built in Calgary meets the code requirements outlined in the National Building Code – Alberta Edition and The Safety Codes Act.
Our staff review construction plans and permit applications for new buildings and additions, changes to existing buildings, demolitions and special event structures to ensure all relevant building safety standards are followed.
Partial permits are issued for below-grade foundations on single, semi-detached and duplex dwellings in the Developed Area, as defined by the Land Use Bylaw. Development permit approvals are required prior to obtaining a building permit.
| Building safety | Target (calendar days) | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026) | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, semi-detached & duplex dwellings | Target (calendar days): | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): |
| Building safety: Infill (permissions to start construction) | Target (calendar days): 14 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 72% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 15 |
| Building safety: Infill (permit issued) | Target (calendar days): 30 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 85% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 13 |
| Building safety: Greenfield (permission to start construction) | Target (calendar days): 1 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 99% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 0 |
| Building safety: Greenfield (permit issued) | Target (calendar days): 7 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 88% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 3 |
| Multi-family | Target (calendar days): | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): |
| Building safety: New project - low complexity | Target (calendar days): 49 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 80% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 43 |
| Building safety: New project - high complexity | Target (calendar days): 120 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 71% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 103 |
| Building safety: Improvements | Target (calendar days): 28 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 89% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 16 |
| Residential | Target (calendar days): | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): |
| Building safety: Improvements - low complexity | Target (calendar days): 7 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 66% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 10 |
| Building safety: Improvements - high complexity | Target (calendar days): 21 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 85% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 15 |
| Commercial/Non-residential | Target (calendar days): | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): |
| Building safety: Improvements - low complexity | Target (calendar days): 30 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 84% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 21 |
| Building safety: Improvements - high complexity | Target (calendar days): 35 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 76% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 31 |
| Building safety: New/Additions - low complexity | Target (calendar days): 28 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 60% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 52 |
| Building safety: New/Additions - medium complexity | Target (calendar days): 90 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 86% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 54 |
| Building safety: New/Additions - high complexity | Target (calendar days): 105 | Per cent of decisions within target (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 79% | Average days (April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026): 62 |