Calgary is a great place to make a living and make a life. Planning & Development is continuing to support our local economy and the aspirations of landowners by processing planning applications and building permits. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are adapting how we conduct our day-to-day work. We are still open for business, with a focus on great service for our customers and building great communities together.
On April 30, City Council approved further supports for businesses in Calgary as they navigate the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of this support, Planning & Development is deferring and/or waiving fee payments in 2020, specifically enhancing flexibility on building permits. This means financial flexibility to manage cash flow through projects, and align fees closer to when revenues are being realized, as well as extensions on any upcoming expiry windows by six months. This will ensure approvals do not expire while businesses deal with the impacts of COVID-19.
As of May 1, the following fee changes will be in effect:
Waived fees
No payment is required for the following applications types, from May 1 to Oct. 31, 2020:
Certificates of Compliance (Residential - single, semi-detached, and duplex)
Change of Use Development Permits
Home Occupation (Class 2) Development Permits
CPAG Pre-applications
Simplified Fees
A change of policy eliminates the $125,000 deposit plus cost recovery calculation for growth management overlay combined outline plans, land use amendments, and ancillary applications. Standard fee schedule rates will be applied regardless of the existence of growth management overlay.
Deferred Fees
A small portion of the fees related to the items listed below are required at submission, while the remainder of the fees will be required at a later date:
Building Permits (Commercial and Multi-Family) – 25 per cent of the fee up front or a maximum of $10,000 (whichever is less), with the remainder required from the applicant prior to issuance. *This change is under review and may be amended. Please check the Planning & Development Fee Relief page on Calgary.ca for current information.
Development Permits – 25 per cent of the fee up front, with the remainder required prior to decision.
Land Use, Outline Plan, Road Closures – 25 per cent of the fee up front, with the remainder required prior to going to the Calgary Planning Commission for review.
Subdivision by instrument – 25 per cent of the fee up front, with the remainder required from applicant prior to decision.
Subdivision by tentative plan – 25 per cent of the fee up front, with the remainder required from the applicant prior to endorsement, or one year from submission - whichever comes first.
Flexibility for Cash Flow
Commercial Building Permits
There is now an option to provide temporary refunds of up to 75 per cent to applicants if construction has not yet started (as of May 1, 2020).
Repayment of the fees would be required from the applicant prior to re-issuance of the permit
Permit would remain open until they are ready to start construction
To submit these application types, please call the Planning Services Centre at (403) 268-5343 and work directly with an agent to complete the intake process. Please allow up to 45 minutes to process your application over the phone.
If you have any questions about these changes, please email approvals@calgary.ca If you've received this newsletter from a friend or colleague, subscribe to receive future editions directly and in real time. You can also subscribe to our newsroom to get all City of Calgary news delivered directly to your Inbox .
Visit our Development Map on calgary.ca to find developments of interest, stay up-to-date on the status of applications and submit your comments directly to the City planner managing the file.
