Land Use Bylaw1P2007

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PART 6: MULTI-RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

Division 1: General Rules for Multi-Residential Land Use Districts

Projections Into Setback Areas

549 1 Unless otherwise referenced in subsections (2), (3) (4), (5), (6), and (7), 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 Wheelchair ramps may project without any limits into a setback area.
5 Eaves may project a maximum of 0.6 metres, and window wells may project a maximum of 0.8 metres, into any setback area.
40P2015
6 Landings not exceeding 2.5 square metres, ramps other than wheelchair ramps and unenclosed stairs may project into any setback area.
7 Signs may be located in any setback area, and where so located, must be in accordance with Part 3, Division 5.

General Landscaped Area Rules

550 1 Landscaped areas must be provided in accordance with a landscape plan approved by the Development Authority.
2 A landscape plan for the entire development must be submitted as part of each development permit application where changes are proposed to the building or parcel, and must show at least the following:
a the existing and proposed topography;
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, slope of the land, soft surfaced landscaped area and hard surfaced landscaped areas;
d the types, species, sizes and numbers of plant material and the types of hard surfaced landscaped areas;
e details of the irrigation system; and
f for landscaped areas with the Enhanced Landscaping Option, the following additional information must be provided:
i Latin and common names for all plant materials;
ii a plan that shows both the planting material size at time of planting and at time of maturity;
iii elevation plans for all landscaped areas showing plant material maturity; and
iv a report submitted by the applicant indicating how the landscape plan achieves the following:
A variation of planting materials, hard surface materials and decorative structures;
B provision of year-round visual interest;
C emphasis of entranceways and pedestrian pathways;
D location of planting materials and activity areas according to sunlight exposure and microclimate conditions;
E separation between public and private spaces; and
F provision of spaces for different purposes, including activity, seating, screening and buffering;
g for landscaped areas with the Low Water Landscaping Option details of the low water irrigation system, including extent of water delivery; and
h for landscaped areas with a building 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.
3 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.
4 All landscaped areas, other than private amenity space, must be accessible to all residents of the development.
5 All soft surfaced landscaped area must be irrigated by an underground irrigation system, unless otherwise provided by a low water irrigation system.
6 Unless otherwise referenced in subsections (7) and (8), 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.
7 All setback areas adjacent to a street or another parcel, except for those portions specifically required for motor vehicle access, must be a landscaped area.
8 All setback areas adjacent to a lane, except for those portions specifically required for motor vehicle access, motor vehicle parking stalls, loading stalls or garbage facilities must be a landscaped area.
9 Amenity space must be included in the calculation of a landscaped area where such amenity space:
a is provided outdoors at grade; and
b is a hard surfaced landscaped area or soft surfaced landscaped area.

Specific Rules for Landscaped Areas

551 1 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.
13P2008, 7P2011
2 Unless otherwise referenced in section 553, a minimum of 40.0 per cent of the area of a parcel must be a landscaped area.
13P2008, 10P2009
3 The maximum hard surfaced landscaped area is:
a 50.0 per cent of the required landscaped area for a parcel containing a street-oriented multi-residential building; and
b 40.0 per cent of the required landscaped area, in all other cases.
4 For a Multi-Residential Development — Minor, 30.0 per cent of the maximum allowable hard surfaced landscaped area may be concrete.
5 For landscaped areas above grade, a minimum of 30.0 per cent of the area must be covered with soft surfaced landscaping.
6 Where a landscaped area above grade is fragmented into isolated spaces, a minimum of 30.0 per cent of each space must be covered with soft surfaced landscaping.

Planting Requirements

552 1 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.
2 A minimum of 1.0 trees and 2.0 shrubs must be planted for every 45.0 square metres of landscaped area provided.
2.1 Landscaped areas may include Urban Agriculture.
33P2019
3 A minimum of 25.0 per cent of all trees provided must be coniferous.
4 Unless otherwise referenced in section 555, deciduous trees must have a minimum calliper of 50 millimetres and at least 50.0 per cent of the provided deciduous trees must have a minimum calliper of 75 millimetres at the time of planting.
5 Unless otherwise referenced in section 555, coniferous trees must have a minimum height of 2.0 metres and at least 50.0 per cent of the provided coniferous trees must be a minimum of 3.0 metres in height at the time of planting.
6 Shrubs must be a minimum height or spread of 0.6 metres at the time of planting.
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 Planting of new trees in an adjacent boulevard to the parcel approved by the Development Authority may be counted towards the planting requirements in this section.
46P2019

Landscaped Area Reductions — Multi-Residential Development

553 The minimum landscaped area of 40.0 per cent for Multi-Residential Development may be reduced by the three options as referenced in sections 554, 555 and 556 individually or in combination, to a total available reduction of 10.0 per cent of the area of a parcel.

Street-Oriented Multi-Residential Landscaping Option

44P2013
554 1 For the Street-Oriented Multi-Residential Landscaping Option, the required 40.0 per cent landscaped area may be reduced for a street-oriented multi-residential building by 2.0 square metres for every 1.0 metres of frontage along the property line shared with a street , not including motor vehicle access driveways, to a maximum of 4.0 per cent of the area of the parcel.
2 Subsection (1) does not apply to a street-oriented multi-residential building abutting a private condominium roadway.

Enhanced Landscaping Option

555 For the Enhanced Landscaping Option, the required 40.0 per cent landscaped area may be reduced by 3.0 per cent of the area of the parcel where:
a 1.0 trees and 2.0 shrubs are planted for every 25.0 square metres of landscaped area provided;
b deciduous trees have a minimum calliper of 65 millimetres and at least of 50.0 per cent of the provided deciduous trees must have a minimum calliper of 85 millimetres at the time of planting; and
c coniferous trees have a minimum height of 3.0 metres and at least 50.0 per cent of the provided coniferous trees must have a minimum height of 4.0 metres at the time of planting.

Low Water Landscaping Option

556 For the Low Water Landscaping Option, the required 40.0 per cent landscaped area may be reduced by 3.0 per cent of the area of the parcel where:
a a low water irrigation system is provided;
b the delivery of the irrigated water is confined to trees and shrubs;
c trees and shrubs with similar water requirements are grouped together;
d a maximum of 30.0 per cent of the required landscaped area is planted with sod and the remainder is covered with plantings, mulch or hard surfaces;
e a minimum of 30.0 per cent of required trees are selected from the list in Table 3: Low Water Trees; and
f a minimum of 30.0 per cent of required shrubs are selected from the list in Table 4: Low Water Shrubs.

Table 3: Low Water Trees

Low Water Trees

Table 4: Low Water Shrubs

Low Water Shrubs

Amenity Space

557 1 The provisions of this section do not apply to parcels designated Multi-Residential — At Grade Housing District.
2 A patio may be located in a setback area between a street oriented multi-residential building and a property line shared with a street.
3 Amenity space may be provided as common amenity space, private amenity space or a combination of both.
4 The required minimum amenity space is 5.0 square metres per unit.
5 When the private amenity space provided is 5.0 square metres or less per unit, that specific area will be included to satisfy the amenity space requirement.
6 When the private amenity space exceeds 5.0 square metres per unit, only 5.0 square metres per unit must be included to satisfy the amenity space requirement.
7 Where a patio is located within 4.0 metres of a lane or another parcel, it must be screened.
8 Private amenity space must:
a be in the form of a balcony, deck or patio; and
b have no minimum dimensions of less than 2.0 metres.
9 Common amenity space:
a may be provided as common amenity space — indoors and as common amenity space — outdoors;
b must be accessible from all the units;
c must have a contiguous area of not less than 50.0 square metres, with no dimension less than 6.0 metres;
d must not be located in a required setback area; and
e when provided as part of a Multi-Residential Development — Minor, must be located at grade.
10 Common amenity space — indoors must not be provided as part of the required amenity space for a Multi-Residential Development — Minor.
11 Common amenity space — indoors may only be provided to satisfy the amenity space requirement as part of a development with 100 or more units.
12 A maximum of 10.0 per cent of the required amenity space may be provided as common amenity space — indoors.
13 Common amenity space — outdoors:
a must provide a balcony, deck or patio and at least one of the following as permanent features:
i a barbeque; or
ii seating; and
b must be used in the calculation of the required landscaped area.

Motor Vehicle Parking Stall Requirements

56P2022
558 The minimum motor vehicle parking stall requirement is calculated:
a based on the sum for all Dwelling Units and suites where the rate is 0.625 stalls per Dwelling Unit or suite; and
b for each Live Work Unit is:
i 0.625 stalls per unit for resident parking; and
ii 0.5 visitor parking stalls.

Bicycle Parking Stall Requirements in Multi-Residential Development

559 The minimum number of bicycle parking stalls is calculated based on the sum for all units and suites where the rate is:
56P2022
a 1.0 bicycle parking stalls – class 1 per unit;
56P2022
b 1.0 bicycle parking stalls – class 1 per suite; and
56P2022
c 0.1 bicycle parking stalls – class 2 per unit for developments of 20 units or more, with a minimum of 2.0 stalls.
56P2022

Reduction for Transit Supportive Multi-Residential Development

560 The required number of motor vehicle parking stalls in section 558 is reduced by 25.0 per cent for a development on a parcel located within:
56P2022
a 600.0 metres of an existing or approved capital funded LRT platform
56P2022
b 400.0 metres of an existing or approved capital funded BRT station; or
47P2008, 56P2022
c 200.0 metres of primary transit service.
56P2022

Parking Maximums Close to LRT Stations

561 Where a building contains three or more units with shared entrance facilities in a Multi- Residential Development and Multi-Residential Development — Minor located on a parcel within 600.0 metres of an existing or approved Capital funded LRT platform, the maximum number of motor vehicle parking stalls is:
47P2008, 1P2009
a 1.5 stalls per Dwelling Unit for resident parking in Area 1 of the "Parking Areas Map", as illustrated on Map 7; and
b 1.25 stalls per Dwelling Unit for resident parking in Area 2 of the "Parking Areas Map", as illustrated on Map 7.
Map 7: Parking Areas Map
9P2012
Map 7: Parking Areas Map

Minimum Motor Vehicle Parking Stall Requirements for Commercial Multi-Residential Uses

562 deleted
48P2020

Accessory Residential Buildings

563 1 An Accessory Residential Building:
a may have an amenity space in the form of a deck or a patio;
13P2008
b Unless specified in subsection (4) must not be located in a required setback area; and
41P2009
c must not be located between any building and a public street.
41P2009
2 The maximum gross floor area of an Accessory Residential Building is:
a 75.0 square metres, when approved for storage, garbage containers and recycling facilities; and
27P2011
b 100.0 square metres, when approved and used as a private garage.
3 The maximum height for an Accessory Residential Building, when approved as a private garage is:
a in the Multi-Residential — Contextual Grade-Oriented District:
i 4.6 metres, when measured from grade at any point adjacent to the building; and
ii 3.0 metres to any eaveline, when measured from the finished floor of the building; and
b in all other multi residential districts, 5.0 metres measured from grade.
4 Where the main residential building is a Multi-Residential Development, an Accessory Residential Building used to accommodate garbage and waste material, a private garage or both, the Accessory Residential Building may be located in a setback area from another parcel provided that:
41P2009
a the wall of the Accessory Residential Building is constructed of maintenance-free materials and there is no overhang of eaves onto an adjacent parcel; or
b the owner of the adjacent parcel grants a 1.5 metre private maintenance easement that must:
i be registered against the title of the parcel proposed for development and the title of the adjacent parcel; and
ii include a 0.60 metre footing encroachment easement.

Objects Prohibited or Restricted

564 1 deleted
34P2022
2 deleted
34P2022
3 deleted
34P2022
4 A large vehicle must not remain on a parcel, except while engaged in loading or unloading.
5 A satellite dish antenna greater than 1.0 metre in diameter must not:
a be located in an actual front setback area or in an actual side setback area of a corner parcel;
b be located higher than 3.0 metres from grade; and
c be illuminated.
6 Subsection (5) does not apply to a satellite dish greater than 1.0 metre in diameter, when the applicant demonstrates:
a compliance with subsection (5) would prevent signal reception; and
b the satellite dish will be located and screened to the satisfaction of the Development Authority.
7 deleted
43P2016

Driveway Length and Parking Areas

565 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 deleted
34P2022
5 In the Developed Area a driveway accessing a street must not be constructed, altered or replaced except where:
56P2022
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.

Garbage

566 1 Garbage containers and waste material must be stored, prior to collection, either:
44P2022
a inside a building; or
b in a garbage container enclosure approved by the Development Authority.
2 A garbage container enclosure:
41P2009
a must not be located between a building and a public street ; and
b unless specified in subsection (3) must not be located in a setback area.
3 Where the main residential building is a Multi-Residential Development a garbage container enclosure may be located in a setback area from another parcel provided that:
41P2009
a the wall of the enclosure is constructed of maintenance free materials; and
b there is no overhang of eaves onto an adjacent parcel or lane.

Recycling Facilities

567 Recycling facilities must be provided for every Multi-Residential Development.

Mechanical Screening

568 Mechanical systems or equipment located outside of a building shall be positioned, camouflaged or screened from view of a public space, or from view of a parcel designated as a residential district, located within 30.0 metres of the equipment, using a line of sight of 1.7 metres above grade.
27P2021

Visibility Setback

569 Within a corner visibility triangle, buildings, 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 .
13P2008

Retaining Walls

570 1 A retaining wall must be less than 1.2 metres in height when measured from lowest grade at any point adjacent to the retaining wall to the highest grade retained by the retaining wall:
16P2018
a in the case of a Multi-Residential Development — Minor; and
b for all other developments, within 3.0 metres of a property line.
2 A minimum horizontal separation of 1.0 metres must be maintained between retaining walls on a parcel:
a in the case of Multi-Residential Development — Minor; and
b for all other developments, within 3.0 metres of a property line.

Fences

571 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
68P2008
2.5 metres to the highest point of a gateway, provided that the gateway does not exceed 2.5 metres in length.

Solar Collectors

571.1 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:
67P2008
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.

Skateboard and Sports Ramps

43P2016
571.2 1 All skateboard and sports ramp structures must be located within the maximum envelope dimensions of 1.5 metres high by 5.0 metres wide by 6.0 metres long.
2 More than one structure may be contained within the maximum envelope dimensions referenced in subsection (1).
3 The maximum envelope dimensions referenced in subsection (1) do not include at-grade surfaces such as, but not limited to, soil, grass, wood or concrete.
16P2018
4 Notwithstanding subsection (1), railings for safety purposes may extend beyond the maximum envelope dimensions referenced in subsection (1) provided they are not designed or used as a surface upon which to operate a skateboard, bicycle, scooter, roller skates or other similar device.
5 There must only be one skateboard and sports ramp envelope per parcel.
6 All skateboard and sports ramps structures must be located between the rear façade of the main residential building and the rear property line.
7 The height of a skateboard and sports ramp at any point is measured from grade.
8 All skateboard and sports ramp structures, including railings for safety purposes, must be located a minimum of 1.2 metres from a side property line.
9 All skateboard and sports ramp structures, including railings for safety purposes, must be located a minimum of 1.2 metres from a rear property line.
10 A skateboard and sports ramp must not be attached to a deck, another structure, fence, or building such as, but not limited to, a main residential building, Backyard Suite or Accessory Residential Building.
11 Notwithstanding sections 550, 551, and 557, skateboard and sports ramps may be included in the calculation of landscaped area, hard surfaced landscaped area, soft surfaced landscaped area or common amenity space.
16P2018

Gated Access

572 A gate must not be located across a private condominium roadway.

Single Detached, Semi-Detached, Duplex Dwellings and Backyard Suites

46P2009, 12P2010, 24P2014, 56P2022
573 Any of the following uses must comply with the rules of the R-CG District that apply to such development:
a Accessory Residential Building that is not combined with a Multi-Residential Development;
b Backyard Suite;
c Duplex Dwelling;
d deleted
56P2022
e Semi-detached Dwelling; or
f Single Detached Dwelling.

Parcel Access

574 All developments must comply with the Controlled Streets Bylaw.

Commercial Multi-Residential Uses

575 Where "commercial multi-residential uses" are referred to in this Part, they include only those commercial multi-residential uses that are specifically listed in the M-H1, M-H2, M-H3, M-X1 and M-X2 Districts.

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.