Building safety approval timelines

The City of Calgary has a team of dedicated professionals that play a key role in making sure anything built in Calgary meets the code requirements outlined in the National Building Code – Alberta Edition and The Safety Codes Act.

Our staff review construction plans and permit applications for new buildings and additions, changes to existing buildings, demolitions and special event structures to ensure all relevant building safety standards are followed.

Partial permits are issued for below-grade foundations on single, semi-detached and duplex dwellings in the Developed Area, as defined by the Land Use Bylaw. Development permit approvals are required prior to obtaining a building permit.

Building safety Target (calendar days) Per cent of decisions within target (Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024) Average days (Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024)
Single, semi-detached & duplex dwellings      
Infill (permissions to start construction) 14 80% 12
Infill (permit issued) 30 77% 20
Greenfield (permission to start construction) 1 100% 1
Greenfield (permit issued) 7 86% 4
Multi-family      
New project - low complexity 49 65% 55
New project - high complexity 120 65% 110
Improvements 28 87% 16
Residential      
Improvements - low complexity 7 78% 9
Improvements - high complexity 21 84% 17
Commercial/Non-residential      
Improvements - low complexity 30 82% 21
Improvements - high complexity 35 77% 33
New/Additions - low complexity 28 45% 37
New/Additions - medium complexity 90 68% 75
New/Additions - high complexity 105 75% 94

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. ​

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