Welcome!
We're working on an update to our Applicant Outreach Toolkit, which will help applicants to plan and deliver effective and transparent community engagement with nearby residents before applying to build small-scale homes, such as single detached, semi-detached, townhouses, and rowhouses.
The update to the toolkit will include clear guidance and simple tools to support meaningful applicant outreach and transparent documentation to help small-scale applicants explain their proposals early, listen to local feedback, and show how that feedback was considered as part of the development review process.
As part of this work, during Phase 1 of Public engagement from May 11 - May 29, 2026, we are looking for input from community association representatives, members of the development industry, and the general public on current experiences.
Share your feedback below.
The Applicant Outreach Toolkit was first introduced in 2019. Since then, housing policies and public expectations around engagement have changed. This project responds to Council direction and supports clearer, more consistent engagement across Calgary.
The updated toolkit will:
- Make expectations for applicant outreach clear and easy to understand.
- Provide practical, easy‑to‑use tools that help applicants understand, plan and conduct outreach.
- Create a clear record that shows how community input is considered in development proposals.
- Improve the development review process without adding unnecessary burden for small‑scale projects.
Clear and effective outreach supports understanding, builds trust, and strengthens the development review process. The updated toolkit is planned for release in September 2026.
Applicant led outreach takes place before a development permit application is submitted.
During this early stage, applicants share information about their proposal with nearby residents and invite feedback. This helps build awareness of the proposal and identify questions or concerns that may influence the design before the application is reviewed by the City.
A summary of this outreach is submitted with the application, creating a clear record of engagement to support informed decision‑making.
Small-scale homes comes in different building forms like single detached, semi-detached, townhouses, and rowhouses. They generally contain four units or less on a single site.
Single detached
A single detached development contains one dwelling unit in a standalone building that is not attached to any other dwelling and may include a secondary suite.
Semi-detached
A semi-detached development contains two dwelling units within one building, side by side, and separated by a shared wall. Each unit may also include a secondary suite.
Rowhouse
A rowhouse development contains three or more dwelling units located side by side and separated by shared walls. Each unit of a rowhouse building has direct access to the adjacent public street. Each unit may also include a secondary suite.
Townhouse
A townhouse development contains three or more dwelling units where each dwelling unit has a separate direct entry at the ground level. Townhouse units do not require direct access to the adjacent public street. Each unit may also include a secondary suite.
The Applicant Outreach Toolkit Update follows Council direction that states:
"Review and enhance The City of Calgary Applicant Outreach Toolkit in collaboration with interested community associations, residents and industry to improve transparency in community outreach and engagement for development permit applications in R-CG districts, using this process to either create an incentive or requirement for community engagement prior to a formal application submission."
More information can be found by clicking here.
Share Your Feedback
During this phase of the Applicant Outreach Toolkit Update project, we are gathering feedback to better understand current experiences with community outreach and engagement for the development of small-scale homes here in Calgary. The feedback we receive will be used to inform the creation of a draft updated toolkit, which will be shared during Phase 2 engagement for review and comment.
Click on the start button below to share your feedback.
Next Steps
Following Phase 1 of public engagement, we will review your feedback and use this to help draft our updated Applicant Outreach Toolkit. During the summer, we will work with industry representatives and City planning and development staff to test and revise the draft toolkit to ensure its applicability and usability. The refined draft toolkit, as well as the What We Heard Report from Phase 1 engagement will be presented during Phase 2 of public engagement this fall.
