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Planning & Development Services resource library

Visit the Local Policy Plans Map to see planning policies in your area.

Planning Policies

The planning policies listed on this webpage are published in compliance with s. 638.2 of the Municipal Government Act.

Provincial documents

Intermunicipal policies

City-Wide policies

Statutory Plan

Municipalities enact statutory plans to guide future development and to facilitate local planning. Statutory plans include a municipal development plan (for the city as a whole), intermunicipal development plan (a joint plan for adjacent municipalities), area structure plan (a plan for a new community) and area redevelopment plan (a plan for an existing community that is redeveloping). A statutory plan must meet requirements for public notification or engagement, and is adopted by Council bylaw.

Non-statutory policies

Non-statutory policies may include plans, guidelines or other policies that can be used to guide planning and development. They may be used, along with applicable statutory plans and bylaws, in making planning decisions. Non-statutory policies may be adopted by Council resolution, or by City Administration.

City-Wide application implementation
How-to-guides to support application implementation
Engineering specifications/implementation
Environment, parks and open spaces implementation

      Local Policies

      Map of Local Policy Plans

      Statutory Plans

      Municipalities enact statutory plans to guide future development and to facilitate local planning. There are two types of statutory plans at the local level: area structure plans and area redevelopment plans. Area structure plans are plans for a new community, while area redevelopment plans—also called local area plans—are plans for how an existing community will redevelop over time. A statutory plan must meet requirements for public notification or engagement, and is adopted by Council bylaw.

      Non-statutory policies

      Non-statutory policies may include plans, guidelines or other policies that can be used to guide planning and development. They may be used, along with applicable statutory plans and bylaws, in making planning decisions. Non-statutory policies may be adopted by Council resolution, or by City Administration.

      Local Area Planning policy implementation
      Downtown implementation

      Planning and licensing Bylaws

      How to apply: checklist and fees

      Building and Development lists and forms (CARLs)

      Inventory of Costs

      • Inventory of Costs of Development Permits for Redevelopment - Multi Residential, Mixed Use and Commercial Buildings.

      Building Regulation advisories and bulletins

      Technical and design specifications

      Waste and Recycling Services requirements

      Standard specifications for roads construction

      Calgary Approvals Coordination catalogues and distributes technical specifications and engineering design manuals.

      The City of Calgary no longer prints and sell hardcopies. Users are encouraged to explore the digital specifications before printing hardcopies.

      Technical specifications

      Cathodic Protection Installation

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Cathodic Protection Installation Checklist

      Effective Date: January 1, 2018 Addenda:

      Capital project construction signs

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Capital Signage Guidelines

      Effective Date: January 1, 2018 Addenda:

      Infrastructure Servicing

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Water Supply for Public Fire Protection 1999

      Effective Date: January 1, 1999 Addenda:
      Version:

      Internal Guide - Fire Flow Review for Development Applications

      Effective Date: January 1, 2018 Addenda:
      Version:

      Standards and Guidelines for Municipal Waterworks, Part 1

      Effective Date: January 1, 2012 Addenda:
      Version:

      Standards and Guidelines for Municipal Waterworks, Part 2

      Effective Date: January 1, 2012 Addenda:
      Version:

      Wastewater Systems Standards for Performance and Design, Part 3

      Effective Date: January 1, 2013 Addenda:
      Version:

      Wastewater Systems Guidelines for Design, Part 4

      Effective Date: January 1, 2013 Addenda:
      Version:

      Stormwater Management Guidelines, Part 5

      Effective Date: January 1, 2013 Addenda:

      Standard specifications for water construction

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Standard specifications for waterworks construction - 2025

      Effective Date: January 1, 2025 Addenda:
      Version:

      Standard specifications for waterworks construction - 2022

      Effective Date: January 1, 2023 Addenda:
      Version:

      Proximity guidelines 2015

      Effective Date: March 25, 2015 Addenda:
      Version:

      Stormwater Irrigation Guidelines

      Effective Date: 2018 Addenda:

      Standard specifications for sewer construction

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Standard specifications for sewer construction 2025 NEW

      Effective Date:

      January 1, 2025

      Addenda:
      Version:

      Standard specifications for sewer construction 2022

      Effective Date: January 1, 2023 Addenda:

      Standard specifications for roads construction

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Roads construction 2021 (Current)

      Effective Date: January 1, 2021 Addenda:
      Version:

      Roads construction 2015 (For reference)

      Effective Date: January 1, 2015 Addenda:

      Standard specifications for landscape construction

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Landscape construction 2026 (NEW)

      Effective Date:

      March 23, 2026

      Addenda:
      Version:

      Landscape construction 2025 (Superceded)

      Effective Date:

      January 1, 2025

      Addenda:
      Version:

      Landscape construction 2023 (Superceded)

      Effective Date: July 13, 2022 Addenda:
      Version:

      Landscape construction 2021 (Superceded)

      Effective Date: January 1, 2021 Addenda:
      Version:

      Landscape construction 2020 (Superseded)

      Effective Date: January 1, 2020 Addenda:
      Version:

      Landscape construction 2019 (Superseded)

      Effective Date: January 1, 2019 Addenda:
      Version:

      Landscape construction 2018 (Superseded)

      Effective Date: January 1, 2018 Addenda:
      Version:

      Landscape construction 2017 (Superseded)

      Effective Date: January 1, 2017 Addenda:

      Standard specifications for street lighting construction

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Design Symbols for Street Light Luminaires and Poles (Jan. 2023)

      Effective Date: Addenda:
      Version:

      Street lighting construction 2006 (Current)

      Effective Date: January 1, 2006 Addenda:
      Version:

      Street lighting material catalogue 2016

      Effective Date: Addenda:
      Version:

      Luminaire replacement chart

      Effective Date: Addenda:

      Design manuals and guidelines

      Design guidelines for subdivision surfacing

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Design guidelines for subdivision servicing 2020 (Current)

      Effective Date: October 1, 2020 Addenda:
      Version:

      Design guidelines for subdivision servicing 2014

      Effective Date: November 1, 2014 to October 1, 2020 Addenda:
      Version:

      Design guidelines for subdivision servicing 2012

      Effective Date: January 1, 2012 to November 1, 2014 Addenda:

      Addendum 1 (2012-05-09) - Emergency access to private sites

      Version:

      Water pressure zone map

      Effective Date: June 11, 2024 Addenda:
      Version:

      Design guidelines for subdivision servicing 2004 (Superseded)

      Effective Date: Feburary 1, 2004 Addenda:

      Addendum 1 (2011-04-01) - Flushing velocities and Manning's 'N'

      Design guidelines for bridges and transportation structures

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Design guidelines for City of Calgary bridges and transportation structures

      Effective Date: May 31, 2024 Addenda:

      Design guidelines for Development Site Servicing Plans (DSSP)

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Development Site Servicing Plan DSSP 2018 (Current)

      Effective Date: May 1, 2018 Addenda:
      Version:

      Development Site Servicing Plan DSSP 2015

      Effective Date: June 1, 2015 Addenda:
      Version:

      Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) 2012

      Effective Date: August 31, 2012 Addenda:
      Version:

      Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) 2008 (Superseded)

      Effective Date: February 1, 2008 Addenda:
      Version:

      Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) Complete Application Requirement List (CARL) (revised 2013-02-15)

      Effective Date: July 30, 2012 Addenda:
      Version:

      Development Site Servicing Plan (DSSP) circulation stamp DSSP circulation stamp (.dwg) DSSP circulation stamp (.dgn)

      Effective Date: 2018-05-01 Addenda:

      Geotechnical Guidelines for Land Development Applications

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Geotechnical Guidelines for Land Development Applications​

      Effective Date: July 1, 2017 Addenda:

      Waste and Recycling Services requirements

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Development Reviews: Design Standards for the Storage and Collection of Recyclable Materials and Waste

      Effective Date: June 17, 2015 Addenda:

      Sewer bypass pumping guidelines

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Sewer Bypass Pumping Guidelines

      Effective Date: October 15, 2020 Addenda:

      Wastewater lift stations

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Wastewater Lift Station Design Guidelines

      Effective Date: November 11, 2016 Addenda:

      Design and construction of sewer pipes

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Standard practice for design and construction of flexible thermoplastic sewer pipe

      Effective Date: July 30, 2009 Addenda:
      Version:

      Standard Practice for Design and Construction of Rigid Gravity Sewer Pipe

      Effective Date: July 30, 2009 Addenda:

      Design and construction of feederman pipes

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Design and Construction of Potable Water Feedermain Pipes

      Effective Date: March 4, 2021 Addenda:

      Consulting engineers field services guidelines

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Consulting engineers field services guidelines - 7th edition

      Effective Date: January 1, 2020 Addenda:
      Version:

      Consulting engineers field services guidelines 2012 Consulting engineers field services guidelines forms

      Effective Date: January 1, 2012 Addenda:
      Version:

      Consulting engineers field services guidelines 2004

      Effective Date: January 1, 2004 Addenda:

      Stormwater management and design manual

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Stormwater management and design

      Effective Date: January 1, 2011 Addenda:

      Guidelines for erosion and sediment control

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Erosion and sediment control guidelines (Current)

      Effective Date: May 8, 2023 Addenda:

      Field manual for effective erosion and sediment control

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Erosion and sediment control field manual 2011 (Current)

      Effective Date: December 1, 2011 Addenda:

      Design guidelines for street lighting

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Design guidelines for street lighting 2016 (Current)

      Effective Date: Present Addenda:
      Version:

      Street Light Design Incremental Cost Data Sheet (DDS)

      Effective Date: Present Addenda:
      Version:

      2021 Street Light Design Bulletin

      Effective Date: Present Addenda:

      Servicing guidelines for new single family / semi-detached / duplex dwellings in the developed area

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Residential grades Complete Application Requirement List (CARL)

      Effective Date: August 31, 2012 Addenda:
      Version:

      Residential water services reuse guideline

      Effective Date: December 2, 2021 Addenda:

      Design guidelines for City of Calgary funded buildings

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Design guidelines for City of Calgary funded buildings

      Effective Date: January 1, 2021 Addenda:
      Version:

      Design guidelines for fire stations

      Effective Date: January 1, 2011 Addenda:

      Other publications

      Access Design Standard - is required to be applied ONLY on City of Calgary owned / operated facilities – please speak with the project manager for the City owned project you are working on for details

      Standard Block Profile Specifications

      Note: These include Capital Project Block Profile Specifications, subject to the project coordinator

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version:

      Block profile 2019 (Current)

      Effective Date: January 1, 2020 Addenda:

      Bylaws

      Version Effective Date Addenda
      Version: The Utiltiy Site Servicing bylaw 33M2005 Effective Date: January 1, 2012 Addenda:

      Research resources

      Citywide Retail and Commercial Study

      This study that focuses on the commercial uses related to retail and services in the City of Calgary helps to better understand current conditions and future needs.

      Suburban Residential Growth

      These reports track the location and pace of suburban development activity to help balance residential land supply with anticipated future demand. 

      The Suburban Growth Report is five-year growth forecast produced annually and the Monthly Lot Supply report is a ready-to-build lot inventory updated monthly.

      Employment Areas Growth and Change

      These reports provide information on serviced (i.e. existing City infrastructure in place), planned and annexed land supply available in Calgary for industrial development.

      Developed Areas Growth and Change

      This report tracks redevelopment potential of Calgary’s established communities in terms of additional units that could be built under the land use designation or approved planning policy.

      Calgary Snapshots

      Calgary Snapshots has information about growth and change in Calgary. It is produced by The City's Geodemographics group.

      National Building Code

      • National Building Code - 2019 Alberta edition (previously Alberta Building Code 2014)
      • National Energy Code for Buildings - 2017 Edition (previously National Energy Code for Buildings 2011)
      • National Fire Code – 2019 Alberta Edition (previously Alberta Fire Code 2014)

      Building permit applications received prior to October 1, 2019 may proceed under the Alberta Building Code 2014 and NECB 2011 editions.

      Legal Agreement Precedents

      Legal Agreements are required for a variety of reasons at various stages through the development

      Approvals continuum. The below documents are the published precedents for The City of Calgary and the bulletin offers more information on what The City hopes to achieve by publishing the precedents.

      An instruction page on how to complete the precedent is included with each one. Before printing, executing and mailing an agreement to The City, please contact your Development Engineering Generalist and have them review your draft. This will minimize potential errors in the agreement and need for multiple submissions. You may contact Adam Burghardt at Adam.Burghardt@calgary.ca should you have any questions or concerns.

      Main Street locations

      1 Avenue N.E.

      10 Avenue S.W.

      10 Street N.W.

      14 Street S.W.

      16 Avenue N

      16 Avenue N.W. (Montgomery)

      17 Avenue S.E.

      17 Avenue S.W.

      32 Avenue N.E.

      33/34 Avenues S.W.

      36 Street N.E.

      37 Street S.W.

      4 Street N.W.

      4 Street S.W.

      50 Avenue S.W.

      9 Avenue S.E.

      Bowness Road N.W. (Bowness)

      Bowness Road N.W. (Montgomery)

      Centre Street N.

      Edmonton Trail N.E.

      Kensington Road N.W.

      Macleod Trail S.

      Macleod Trail S.E.

      Richmond Road S.W.

       


      These documents are also available in hardcopy. Call 311 or visit the Planning Services Centre located on the 3rd floor, Calgary Municipal Building (800 Macleod Trail SE) for a complete list of hardcopy documents.

      There’s an easier way to find planning information.

      We’ve curated the best development and building information from The City and put it one place.

      From submitting applications to development tools, like fee calculators and the Development Map, we’ve got what you need to make planning or building with us a little easier.

      Visit the Development and Building Professionals Hub today

      calgary.ca/buildwithus

      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.


      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. ​