Land Use Bylaw1P2007

Bylaw test

Top of page

PART 15: HOUSING DISTRICTS

56P2022

Division 1: Housing – Grade Oriented (H-GO) District

56P2022

Purpose

56P2022
1386 The Housing – Grade Oriented (H-GO) District:
a accommodates grade-oriented development in a range of housing forms where the Dwelling Units may be attached or stacked within a shared building or cluster of buildings in a form and at a scale that is consistent with low density residential districts;
b provides flexible parcel dimensions and building setbacks that allow a diversity of grade-oriented housing;
c accommodates site and building design that is adaptable to evolving housing needs;
d should only be designated on parcels located within:
i an area that supports the development form in an approved Local Area Plan as part of the Neighbourhood Connector or Neighbourhood Flex Urban Form Categories; or
ii the Centre City or Inner City areas identified on the Urban Structure Map of the Calgary Municipal Development Plan and also within one or more of the following:
A 200 metres of a Main Street or Activity Centre identified on the Urban Structure Map of the Calgary Municipal Development Plan;
B 600 metres of an existing or capital-funded LRT platform;
C 400 metres of an existing or capital-funded BRT station; or
D 200 metres of primary transit service.

Permitted Uses

56P2022
1387 The following uses are permitted uses in the Housing – Grade Oriented District:
a Accessory Residential Building;
b Dwelling Unit;
c Home Based Child Care – Class 1;
d Home Occupation – Class 1;
e Park;
f Protective and Emergency Service;
g Secondary Suite;
h Sign – Class A; and
i Utilities.

Discretionary Uses

56P2022
1388 The following uses are discretionary uses in the Housing – Grade Oriented District:
a Addiction Treatment;
b Assisted Living;
c Bed and Breakfast;
d Community Entrance Feature;
e Custodial Care;
f Home Occupation – Class 2;
g Live Work Unit;
h Place of Worship – Small;
i Power Generation Facility – Small;
j Residential Care;
k Sign – Class B;
l Sign – Class C;
m Sign – Class E;
n Temporary Residential Sales Centre; and
o Utility Building.

Rules

56P2022
1389 In addition to the rules in this District, all uses in this District must comply with:
a the Rules Governing All Districts referenced in Part 3; and
b the applicable Uses and Use Rules referenced in Part 4.

Floor Area Ratio

56P2022
1390 The maximum floor area ratio is 1.5.

At Grade Orientation of Units

56P2022
1391 1 All units must provide individual, separate, direct access to grade.
2 Units with an exterior wall facing a street must provide:
a an entrance that is visible from the street; and
b sidewalks that provide direct exterior access to the unit.

Parcel Coverage

56P2022
1392 1 Unless otherwise referenced in subsection (2), the maximum cumulative building coverage over all the parcels subject to a single development permit containing one or more Dwelling Units is:
a 45.0 per cent of the area of the parcels subject to a single development permit for a development with a density of less than 40 units per hectare;
b 50.0 per cent of the area of the parcels subject to a single development permit for a development with a density 40 units per hectare or greater and less than 50 units per hectare;
c 55.0 per cent of the area of the parcels subject to a single development permit for a development with a density of 50 units per hectare or greater and less than 60 units per hectare; or
d 60.0 per cent of the area of the parcels subject to a single development permit for a development with a density of 60 units per hectare or greater.
2 The maximum parcel coverage referenced in subsection (1), must be reduced by 21.0 square metres for each motor vehicle parking stall provided on a parcel that is not located in a private garage.
3 In all other cases, the maximum parcel coverage is 45.0 per cent.

Building Depth and Separation

56P2022
1393 1 Unless otherwise referenced in subsections (2) and (3) the maximum building depth is 65.0 per cent of the parcel depth for a building containing a unit.
2 On a laned parcel, there is no maximum building depth for a main residential building wholly contained to the rear of 40.0 per cent parcel depth where:
a there is more than one main residential building on the parcel;
b 50.0 per cent or more of the units on the parcel are contained in main residential buildings located within the first 60.0 per cent of the parcel depth; and
c where the minimum separation distance of the main residential buildings on the front portion of the parcel and the main residential buildings contained on the rear portion of the parcel is 6.5 metres.
3 For a main residential building that is located on a corner parcel there is no maximum building depth where the minimum building setback from the side property line shared with another parcel is 3.0 metres for any portion of the building located between the rear property line and:
a 50.0 per cent parcel depth; or
b the building depth of the main residential building on the adjoining parcel;
whichever is closer to the rear property line.
4 Notwithstanding subsections (1) through (3), there is no maximum building depth for an existing Dwelling Unit if:
78P2024
a the building was legally existing or approved prior to the parcel being redesignated by Bylaw 21P2024; and
b all subsequent exterior alterations or additions conform to section 25(2)(b.1);

Building Setback Areas

56P2022
1394 The minimum depth of all setback areas must be equal to the minimum building setback required in sections 1393, 1395, 1396 and 1397.

Building Setback from Front Property Line

1395 The minimum building setback from a front property line is 3.0 metres.

Building Setback from Side Property Line

56P2022
1396 1 Subject to subsections (2) through (5), the minimum building setback from any side property line is 1.2 metres.
2 There is no requirement for a building setback from a property line upon which a party wall is located.
3 For a corner parcel, the minimum building setback from a side property line shared with a street is 0.6 metres.
4 Unless otherwise referenced in subsection (5), on a laned parcel the minimum building setback from a side property line for a private garage attached to a main residential building is 0.6 metres.
5 On a laned parcel, the minimum building setback for a private garage attached to a main residential building that does not share a side or rear property line with a street may be reduced to zero metres where the wall of the portion of the building that contains the private garage is constructed of maintenance-free materials and there is no overhang of eaves onto an adjacent parcel.

Building Setback from Rear Property Line

56P2022
1397 1 Unless otherwise referenced in subsection (2) the minimum building setback from a rear property line is 5.0 metres.
2 On a corner parcel or a laned parcel, the minimum building setback from a rear property line is 1.2 metres.

Projections Into Setback Areas

56P2022
1398 1 Unless otherwise referenced in subsections (2) through (9), a building or air conditioning units must not be located in any setback area.
2 Portions of a building located above the surface of the ground may project into a setback area only in accordance with the rules contained in this section.
3 Portions of a building below the surface of the ground may extend without any limits into a setback area.
4 Patios may project without any limits into a setback area.
5 Wheelchair ramps may project without any limits into a setback area.
6 Eaves may project a maximum of 0.6 metres, and window wells may project a maximum of 0.8 metres, into any setback area.
7 Landings not exceeding 2.5 square metres, ramps other than wheelchair ramps and unenclosed stairs may project into any setback area.
8 Signs may be located in any setback area, and where so located, must be in accordance with Part 3, Division 5.
9 Air conditioning equipment may project a maximum of 1.0 metre into any setback area that does not share a property line with a street.

Building Height

56P2022
1399 1 Unless otherwise referenced in subsections (2), the maximum building height is 12.0 metres measured from grade.
2 Where a building setback is required from a property line shared with another parcel designated with a low density residential district, H-GO or the M-CG District, the maximum building height:
a is the greater of:
i the highest geodetic elevation of a main residential building on the adjoining parcel; or
ii 8.0 metres from grade;
measured at the shared property line; and
b increases at a 45 degree angle to a maximum of 12.0 metres measured from grade.

Solar Collectors

56P2022
1400 1 A solar collector may only be located on the wall or roof of a building.
2 A solar collector mounted on a roof with a pitch of less than 4:12:
a may project a maximum of 2.0 metres from the surface of the roof; and
b must be located at least 1.0 metres from the edge of the roof.
3  A solar collector mounted on a roof with a pitch of 4:12 or greater:
a may project a maximum of 1.3 metres from the surface of the roof; and
b must not extend beyond the outermost edge of the roof.
4 A solar collector that is mounted on a wall:
a must be located a minimum of 2.4 metres above grade; and
b may project a maximum of 0.6 metres from the surface of that wall.

Accessory Residential Buildings

56P2022
1401 1 An Accessory Residential Building:
a may have an amenity space in the form of a deck or a patio;
b Unless specified in subsection (4) must not be located in a required setback area; and
c must not be located between any building and a public street.
2 Notwithstanding section 1399, the maximum height for an Accessory Residential Building is:
a 4.6 metres, when measured from grade at any point adjacent to the building; and
b 3.0 metres to any eaveline, when measured from the finished floor of the building.
3 Notwithstanding section 1396, for an Accessory Residential Building, unless otherwise referenced in subsection (4), the minimum building setback from a side property line that is not shared with a street is 0.6 metres.
4 Notwithstanding section 1398, an Accessory Residential Building may be located in a setback area from another parcel where:
a the Accessory Residential Building is less than 10.0 square metres gross floor area; or
b the wall of the Accessory Residential Building is constructed of maintenance-free materials and there is no overhang of eaves onto an adjacent parcel.

Landscape Requirements

56P2022
1402 1 Landscaped areas must be provided in accordance with a landscape plan approved by the Development Authority.
2 All areas of a parcel, except for those portions specifically required for motor vehicle access, motor vehicle parking stalls, loading stalls, garbage facilities, or any purpose allowed by the Development Authority, must be a landscaped area.
3 All setback areas adjacent to a street, except for those portions specifically required for motor vehicle access, must be a landscaped area.
4 Amenity space provided outdoors at grade must be included in the calculation of a landscaped area.
5 Any part of the parcel used for motor vehicle access, motor vehicle parking stalls, loading stalls and garbage or recycling facilities must not be included in the calculation of a landscaped area.
6 A minimum of 30.0 per cent of the landscaped area must be covered with soft surfaced landscaping.
7 All soft surfaced landscaped area must be irrigated by an underground irrigation system, unless otherwise provided by a low water irrigation system.
8 Mechanical systems or equipment that are located outside of a building must be screened.
9 The landscaped areas shown on the landscape plan approved by the Development Authority must be maintained on the parcel for so long as the development exists.

Landscape Plan Requirements

56P2022
1403 A landscape plan for the entire development must be submitted as part of each development permit application where changes are proposed to buildings or the site plan, and must show at least the following:
a the existing and proposed site grading;
b the existing vegetation and indicate whether it is to be retained or removed;
c the layout of berms, open space systems, pedestrian circulation, retaining walls, screening, soft surfaced landscaped area and hard surfaced landscaped areas;
d private amenity space or common amenity space;
e the types, species, sizes and numbers of plant material and the types of hard surfaced landscaped areas;
f details of the irrigation system; and
g for landscaped areas with a building or other structure below, the following additional information must be provided:
i the location of underlying slabs and abutting walls
ii cross-sections detailing the waterproofing membranes, protection board, insulation and drainage layer;
iii depths of the growing medium for each planting area;
iv the mature height and spread of all trees and shrubs; and
v the means of irrigating the planting areas.

Planting Requirements

56P2022
1404 1 Trees required by this section:
a may be provided though the planting of new trees or the preservation of existing trees; and
b where approved by the Development Authority, may be provided on a boulevard adjacent to the parcel.
2 A minimum of 1.0 tree and 3.0 shrubs must be provided for each 110.0 square meters of parcel area.
3 Shrubs must be a minimum height or spread of 0.6 metres at the time of planting.
4 The requirement for the provision of 1.0 tree is met where:
a a deciduous tree has a minimum calliper of 60 millimetres; or
b a coniferous tree has a minimum height of 2.0 metres.
5 The requirement for the provision of 2.0 trees is met where:
a a deciduous tree has a minimum calliper of 85 millimetres; or
b a coniferous tree has a minimum height of 4.0 metres.
6 The requirement for the provision of 3.0 trees is met where an existing deciduous tree with a calliper greater than 100 millimeters is preserved.
7 For landscaped areas with a building below, planting areas must have the following minimum soil depths:
a 1.2 metres for trees;
b 0.6 metres for shrubs; and
c 0.3 metres for all other planting areas.
8 The soil depths referenced in (7) must cover an area equal to the mature spread of the planting material.
9 All plant materials must be of a species capable of healthy growth in Calgary and must conform to the standards of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.

Amenity Space

56P2022
1405 1 Each unit and suite must have amenity space that is located outdoors and is labelled on the required landscape plan.
2 Amenity space may be provided as common amenity space, private amenity space or a combination of both.

Retaining Walls

56P2022
1406 1 A retaining wall must be less than 1.2 metres in height when measured from the lowest grade at any point adjacent to the retaining wall to the highest grade retained by the retaining wall.
2 A minimum horizontal separation of 1.0 metre must be maintained between retaining walls.

Fences

56P2022
1407 The height of a fence above grade, at any point along a fence line, must not exceed:
a 1.2 metres for that portion of the fence extending beyond the foremost portion of all buildings on the parcel;
b 2.0 metres for that portion of the fence that does not extend beyond the foremost portion of all buildings on the parcel; and
c 2.5 metres to the highest point of a gateway, provided that the gateway does not exceed 2.5 metres in length.

Visibility Setback

56P2022
1408 Within a corner visibility triangle, buildings, fences, finished grade of a parcel and vegetation must not be located between 0.75 metres and 4.60 metres above the lowest elevation of the street.

Decks and Patios

56P2022
1409 1 The height of a deck must not exceed 1.5 metres above grade at any point.
2 A privacy wall located on a deck or patio:
a must not exceed 2.0 metres in height when measured from the surface of the deck or patio; and
b must not be located between the foremost front façade of the main residential building and the front property line.

Balconies

56P2022
1410 1 Unless otherwise referenced in subsection (2), an open balcony must not project more than 1.85 metres from the building façade to which it is attached.
2 Where a balcony is located on the roof of the first or second storey and does not overhang any façade of the storey below the maximum area is equal to 50.0 per cent of the horizontal cross section of the storey below.

Motor Vehicle Parking Stalls

56P2022
1411 The minimum number of motor vehicle parking stalls is calculated based on the sum of all units and suites at a rate of 0.5 stalls per unit or suite.

Mobility Storage

56P2022
1412 The minimum number of mobility storage lockers is calculated based on the sum of all units and suites at a rate of 0.5 lockers per unit or suite where a unit or suite is not provided a motor vehicle parking stall located in a private garage.

Bicycle Parking Stalls

56P2022
1413 The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls – class 1 is calculated based on the sum of all units and suites at a rate of 1.0 stall per unit or suite where a unit or suite is not provided a motor vehicle parking stall located in a private garage or mobility storage locker.

Driveway Length and Parking Area

56P2022
1414 1 A driveway must not have direct access to a major street unless:
a there is no practical alternative method of vehicular access to the parcel; and
b a turning space is provided on the parcel to allow all vehicles exiting to face the major street.
2 A driveway connecting to a street must:
a be a minimum of 6.0 metres in length, when measured along the intended direction of travel for vehicles from the back of the public sidewalk or curb; and
b be a minimum of 3.0 metres in width.
3 A driveway connecting to a lane must:
a be a minimum of 0.60 metres in length, when measured along the intended direction of travel for vehicles; and
b be located between the property line shared with a lane and the vehicular entrance of the private garage.
4 In the Developed Area a driveway accessing a street must not be constructed, altered or replaced except where:
a it is located on a laneless parcel;
b it is located on a laned parcel and 50.0 per cent or more parcels on the same block face have an existing driveway accessing a street; or
c there is a legally existing driveway that it is not being relocated or widened.

Waste, Recycling and Organics

56P2022
1415 Garbage, recycling, and organics containers must be stored in a screened location shown on a site plan approved by the Development Authority.

DISCLAIMER: This version of Bylaw 1P2007 MUST NOT be relied upon; it is not an official version of the bylaw and may contain errors. The City of Calgary accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Consult the Office of the City Clerk for an official version of the bylaw, if required. Please note that web pages are updated periodically.