City Planning helps guide how Calgary grows and evolves. This includes community planning, land use, transportation, housing, parks, public spaces, and long-term growth strategies. Through planning processes and public engagement, residents can help shape the future of their neighbourhoods and city. We have some key resources and also some simplying insights on how planning works across our neighbourhoods.
Planning and development help guide how our neighbourhoods grow and change over time. Planning focuses on long-term community goals, land use policies, transportation networks, parks, and future growth, while development includes specific proposals such as new homes, businesses, mixed-use projects, land use redesignations, and development permit applications.
This page provides information on planning initiatives, proposed developments, public engagement opportunities, and applications under review in Ward 9. Residents can learn about projects that may impact their community, understand the approval process, and find opportunities to share feedback and stay informed.
A Development Permit (DP) is the City’s way of reviewing a proposed development before construction begins. It ensures the project complies with Calgary’s planning rules and is appropriate for the site and surrounding area.
1. Application Submission
The property owner or developer submits plans to the City describing what they want to build, such as a new home, apartment building, commercial development, or major addition.
2. Initial Review
The City checks that the application is complete and includes all the required drawings, reports, and supporting information. Once complete, a File Manager is assigned to oversee the application through the review process.
3. Technical Review
The application is circulated to various City departments, which review it from different perspectives. This may include:
- Land Use and planning policy
- Transportation and access
- Utilities and servicing
- Parks and open space
- Urban design
- Environmental considerations (where applicable)
Reviewers assess whether the proposal complies with the Land Use Bylaw, Municipal Development Plan, Local Area Plan, and other applicable regulations. If issues are identified, the applicant may be asked to revise the proposal.
4. Public Notification and Feedback
For many discretionary applications, the City notifies the public by:
- Posting a development permit sign on the property
- Notifying nearby property owners
- Informing the Community Association
- Providing an opportunity for residents to submit comments
Public feedback is considered as part of the review, although decisions must ultimately be based on planning legislation, City policy, and the merits of the application.
For more information on how community can influence developments, please reach out to the Ward 9 office.
Contact5. Decision
Once all reviews are complete, the Development Authority decides whether to:
- Approve the application;
- Approve it with conditions, requiring certain changes or additional information before the permit is released; or
- Refuse the application if it does not meet planning requirements.
6. Appeal Period
Many discretionary development permits are subject to a 21-day appeal period. During this time, eligible parties may appeal the decision. If no appeal is filed, or once any appeal is resolved, the permit can be released. This process occurs through a submission to the Subdivision & Development Appeal board (SDAB).
Calgary’s SDAB7. Building Permit and Construction
A Development Permit does not authorize construction. Before work can begin, the applicant must obtain a Building Permit, which confirms the project complies with the Alberta Building Code and other safety requirements.
In Summary
A Development Permit answers the question:
“Is this an appropriate development for this property?”
A Building Permit answers:
“Can this development be built safely?”
Together, these two approvals help ensure that new development is both compatible with its surroundings and constructed to meet safety standards.
Development Permit ProcessAccordion content