One-Year Wait. 20% More in Costs. This Isn’t “Housing Progress.”
As housing affordability continues to dominate the conversation at City Hall, we also need to talk about how the City is handling the permit process—because right now, it’s problematic.
In Ward 6, a homeowner purchased an older property with plans to tear it down and build a new family home. No rezoning. No variances. No multi-unit construction. Just one single-family home to replace another.
But instead of a smooth and timely process, he has waited an entire yearjust to get his permit approved. During that time, construction costs have surged, adding roughly 20% more to the overall project—because, I was told, of City Hall delays.
Meanwhile, multi-family and high-density projects are being fast-trackedacross the city:
🏘️ Infill Fast Track Program (1.0):
The City pilot launched in Q1 2025 prioritize four-plexes, rowhouses, backyard suites, and other “missing middle” housing—accelerating approval timelines in R-CG zones. This program:
- expedites Development Permit(DP), Building Permit (BP), and Design Study Site Plan (DSSP)review.
- ensures that approved designs in the city’s catalogue avoid DART (Development Applications Review Team) review and aim for review completion in about 8 weeks.
A local custom‑home design firm, Ellergodt Design, outlines that development permits typically take 3–4 months, followed by building permits in about 1 month, for single‑family or semi‑detached dwellings. That’s roughly 4–5 months total before site work can begin (https://bit.ly/448Lg9t).
We need a permitting system that is timely, consistent, and fair to everyone.
As your next Ward 6 Councillor, I’ll advocate for:
✅ Faster, streamlined permitting timelines
✅ Equal treatment for all builders—regardless of housing type
✅ Real accountability for delays that drive up costs
If we’re serious about addressing housing supply, we need to fix the inefficiencies inside the system—not punish or frustrate those who are stepping up and investing in our communities. Let’s build a Calgary that works—for everyone.