Site Plan for Permit in Calgary, Alberta | Residential Plans

If you are applying for a residential permit in Calgary, Alberta, a clear site plan may be one of the most important drawings in your application.

A site plan for permit in Calgary is a top-down drawing that shows how the existing buildings, proposed project, property lines, access areas, and other site features fit together on the lot.

Depending on the project, the site plan may need to show:

• property lines and parcel dimensions
• the existing house and accessory buildings
• the proposed garage, deck, addition, shed, carport, or other work
• front, rear, and side setbacks
• the distance between buildings
• driveways, parking pads, streets, and rear lanes
• rights-of-way and easements
• parcel or lot coverage
• roof drainage and surface drainage information
• public trees near the property
• a north arrow, drawing scale, labels, and dimensions

The exact drawing requirements depend on the type of work, the property’s land-use district, the location of the proposed project, and whether the work meets the applicable rules without a relaxation.

The City of Calgary explains that the drawings needed for a permit depend on the specific project. Drawings should generally include the project title, scale, north arrow, dimensions, and other relevant labels. A site plan or key plan may be required as part of the application. [1]

What Is a Site Plan for a Calgary Building Permit?

A site plan is a scaled, bird’s-eye view of the property.

It is different from a floor plan. A floor plan shows the layout inside a house or building, while a site plan shows how the buildings and exterior improvements relate to the entire parcel.

For a Calgary permit application, the site plan may help reviewers understand:

• the shape and dimensions of the parcel
• where the existing house is located
• where garages, sheds, decks, and other structures are located
• where the proposed work will be built
• how far the work is from each property line
• how vehicles reach a garage or parking area
• whether a rear lane or side access is present
• whether rights-of-way or public trees affect the project
• how the proposal affects parcel coverage and drainage

The City describes a site plan for an addition as a two-dimensional bird’s-eye representation that includes property-line locations and dimensions, structures, rights-of-way, and other features unique to the property. The site plan must show the dimensions and location of the existing building, proposed addition, and other buildings on the property. [2]

When May You Need a Site Plan in Calgary?

A site plan may be required for many residential projects that change the exterior footprint or layout of a property.

Common examples include:

• detached garages
• sheds and accessory buildings
• decks and covered decks
• home additions
• attached garages
• carports
• pergolas and gazebos
• backyard suites
• new houses
• parking pads and driveway changes
• swimming pools and hot tubs
• retaining walls and grading work

Not every project follows the same application process. Some work requires a building permit, some may also require a development permit, and some small projects may be exempt from a building permit while still needing to comply with the Land Use Bylaw.

Building Permit vs. Development Permit in Calgary

A building permit and a development permit serve different purposes.

Building Permit

A building permit reviews whether the proposed construction meets applicable safety-code requirements.

Development Permit

A development permit deals more directly with planning and land-use rules, including the location, size, height, use, and design of the proposed development.

A project that follows the applicable Land Use Bylaw rules may not always require a development permit. When a proposed garage, deck, addition, or other project does not meet all the applicable rules, a development permit and requested relaxation may be required. [3]

A site plan helps with both types of review because it shows where the project sits and how it relates to property lines, buildings, vehicle access, and other parcel features.

What Should a Calgary Permit Site Plan Show?

The required level of detail depends on the project, but a useful residential site plan commonly includes the following items.

1. Property Address and Project Information

The drawing should clearly identify the property and proposed work.

Include:

• municipal address
• project description
• drawing title
• date prepared
• revision date, if applicable
• owner or applicant information where required

Make sure the address matches the permit application and any supporting property documents.

2. Property Lines and Parcel Dimensions

Property lines form the base of the site plan. They allow the reviewer to check setbacks, parcel coverage, access, and the overall location of the project.

The drawing should normally show:

• front property line
• rear property line
• left and right side property lines
• parcel width
• parcel depth
• irregular boundary dimensions
• street frontage
• rear lane, if present

A fence, hedge, driveway edge, or lawn boundary should not automatically be treated as the legal property line.

If the proposed work is close to a boundary or the property lines are uncertain, a current Real Property Report or professional survey information may be needed.

3. Existing House and Other Structures

The existing residence should be drawn and labelled clearly.

Other relevant improvements may include:

• attached or detached garage
• shed
• deck or porch
• patio
• carport
• greenhouse
• pergola or gazebo
• driveway or parking pad
• walkways
• retaining walls
• fences and gates

Showing the whole property helps the reviewer evaluate the project in context rather than seeing the proposed work as an isolated shape.

4. Proposed Project Footprint

The proposed work should be visually different from the existing buildings and labelled clearly.

Use a description such as:

• Proposed Detached Garage
• Proposed Deck
• Proposed Addition
• Proposed Shed
• Proposed Carport

Show the length, width, and overall footprint of the project. Include stairs, landings, roof projections, posts, equipment, paved areas, or other components that affect the site layout.

5. Setback Dimensions

Setbacks are the distances between buildings or structures and property lines.

A Calgary site plan may need to show:

• front setback
• rear setback
• left side setback
• right side setback
• street-side setback on a corner parcel
• distance between the proposed project and the house
• distance between accessory buildings
• distance from roof eaves or projections to property lines

Do not rely on one general setback rule for every Calgary property. Requirements vary according to the land-use district, parcel conditions, project type, structure size, street or lane relationship, and other regulations.

6. Distance Between the House and Accessory Buildings

The distance between an accessory building and the main residence can be important.

Under the Land Use Bylaw provisions shown on the City’s website, an accessory residential building measuring 10 m² or more generally requires at least 1.0 m between its façade and the main residential building. A proposed location that does not meet an applicable rule may require additional planning review. [4]

The site plan should therefore show the shortest distance between the proposed garage, shed, or similar structure and the existing house.

7. Driveway, Parking Pad, and Rear-Lane Access

Many Calgary homes have front driveways, side driveways, parking pads, or garages accessed from a rear lane.

The site plan should clearly show the applicable access arrangement, including:

• street name
• rear lane
• existing driveway
• proposed driveway extension
• parking pad
• garage door orientation
• vehicle-entry point
• length and width of the driveway or apron
• fences, gates, trees, or structures affecting access

The City’s garage checklist asks for streets and back alleys, the garage and house outlines, garage and house dimensions, distances from property lines and the house, and the length and location of the driveway or apron. [5]

You can also review our existing Calgary garage site plan for permit guide for a project-specific explanation of garage access and setbacks.

8. Parcel or Lot Coverage

Parcel coverage measures how much of the property is covered by applicable buildings.

The site plan may include a coverage table showing:

• total parcel area
• existing house footprint
• existing garage or accessory-building footprint
• proposed project footprint
• total building area after construction
• parcel coverage percentage

The City explains that coverage can be calculated by dividing the total applicable building footprint by the property area and multiplying by 100. It also notes that a Real Property Report may be used as a starting point for the site plan because it normally includes lot dimensions. [6]

The Land Use Bylaw contains additional rules controlling the total area occupied by accessory residential buildings, so the permitted amount should be confirmed for the specific property. [7]

9. Rights-of-Way and Easements

Known rights-of-way should be shown when they affect the project.

These may include:

• maintenance-access rights-of-way
• utility rights-of-way
• drainage easements
• sewer or water-service corridors
• shared access areas
• areas that must remain open for maintenance

The City’s garage guidance states that when a Maintenance Access Right-of-Way is registered on the property, the relevant document must be provided with the application. [8]

A site plan should not place a building over a known easement or right-of-way without first confirming that the proposed location is acceptable.

10. Roof Drainage and Surface Drainage

A garage, addition, carport, or shed adds roof area. A driveway extension or parking pad adds hard surface area. Both can affect how water moves across the property.

The site plan may show:

• roof-drainage direction
• downspout locations
• surface-drainage arrows
• swales
• driveway slope
• retaining walls
• high and low points
• stormwater features where known

The Calgary Land Use Bylaw states that roof drainage from an accessory residential building must be discharged onto the parcel where the building is located. [7]

The City’s garage guidance also explains that eaves have additional restrictions near side property lines and that water drainage from the building must remain on the property. [9]

11. Public Trees

A public tree near the property may affect excavation, driveway work, a garage, an addition, or another project close to City land.

For certain applications, Calgary requires a public-tree disclosure statement. If a public tree is within six metres of the property or overhangs it, the tree may need to be shown on the site plan. [10]

Show significant trees when they are close to:

• the proposed building footprint
• a driveway or parking-pad extension
• excavation
• footings or foundations
• a retaining wall
• the front property boundary

12. North Arrow, Scale, Dimensions, and Notes

A permit drawing should be easy to understand after it is uploaded and reviewed on screen.

Include:

• north arrow
• drawing scale
• clear dimensions
• property address
• project title
• labels identifying existing and proposed work
• legend for line types and symbols
• relevant drawing notes

The City advises that permit drawings should include the project title, scale, north arrow, dimensions, and relevant plan labels. [1]

Site Plans for Common Calgary Residential Projects

Detached Garage Site Plans

A detached garage site plan should normally show:

• proposed garage footprint
• garage length and width
• garage height where required
• garage-door location
• property lines
• side and rear setbacks
• distance between the garage and house
• street or rear-lane access
• driveway or apron
• parcel coverage
• eaves and drainage direction
• rights-of-way and public trees where applicable

The City says accessory residential buildings under 10 m² typically do not require a building permit, but they must still comply with location and design rules. Larger buildings generally require building-permit review. [11]

A development permit may be needed when a garage does not meet all the applicable Land Use Bylaw rules, exceeds certain size or height conditions, or requires a relaxation. [3]

Deck Site Plans

The City requires a building permit for a covered deck and for an uncovered deck whose surface is higher than 0.6 m above grade at any point. An uncovered deck no higher than 0.6 m at every point generally does not require a building permit, although land-use and location rules can still apply. [12]

A Calgary deck application may require:

• site plan
• deck plan
• deck cross-section
• property-line setbacks
• deck dimensions
• stairs and landings
• distance from the house and nearby structures
• rights-of-way
• public-tree information

The City’s deck application page specifically lists a site plan among the required documents and notes that additional documents may be needed when easements, public trees, roofs, pergolas, or engineered construction are involved. [13]

Home Addition Site Plans

All home additions require at least a building permit in Calgary. The City defines an addition as work that increases the area of the home, including covered structures such as covered decks, porches, attached garages, and sunrooms. [14]

An addition site plan should show:

• existing house footprint
• proposed addition footprint
• all other buildings on the parcel
• property-line dimensions
• front, side, and rear setbacks
• roof projections
• driveway and parking impacts
• rights-of-way
• public trees where applicable
• drainage around the addition

The City states that the addition site plan must show the location and dimensions of the existing building, proposed addition, and other buildings on the property. [2]

Shed, Gazebo, Greenhouse, and Pergola Site Plans

Small accessory structures may not always require a building permit, but they must still follow the applicable rules governing location, height, setbacks, drainage, and design.

A site plan for an accessory structure should show:

• structure location and dimensions
• property lines
• distance to the house
• side and rear setbacks
• eaves and roof drainage
• other accessory buildings
• rights-of-way
• parcel coverage where relevant

A structure attached to the house may be treated as an addition rather than a detached accessory building.

Swimming Pool and Hot-Tub Site Plans

Under the development-permit exemptions shown in Calgary’s Land Use Bylaw, an outdoor private swimming pool or hot tub must meet specific location and size conditions to qualify for the exemption. These include not being in the actual front setback area, occupying less than 15% of the parcel, and keeping above-grade components at least 1.2 m from property lines. [15]

A pool or hot-tub site plan may show:

• pool or hot-tub dimensions
• property-line setbacks
• decks and walkways
• heater and mechanical equipment
• existing house and accessory buildings
• fencing and gates
• drainage
• parcel coverage or landscaped areas

Can You Use a Real Property Report as a Site Plan?

A Real Property Report can be a useful starting point because it may show the property boundaries, dimensions, existing buildings, and other measured improvements.

The City’s garage and addition guidance says an RPR can be modified and used as the base for a site plan. The proposed work must still be added clearly with its dimensions, setbacks, height where relevant, and relationship to the existing house and other structures. [2][6]

An older RPR may not show:

• new decks or patios
• later additions
• recent sheds or garages
• driveway changes
• retaining walls
• the proposed project
• current tree or drainage conditions

Make sure the document reflects the current property layout before using it for permit preparation.

Does a Site Plan Replace a Survey?

No. A drafted site plan does not establish legal property boundaries.

A site plan organizes the available property and project information for planning or permit review. A survey or Real Property Report is prepared by a qualified Alberta land surveyor and provides measured property information.

Professional survey information may be especially important when:

• the project is close to a property line
• the property boundary is uncertain
• an existing fence may not follow the legal boundary
• the parcel is irregular
• an encroachment may exist
• rights-of-way affect the proposed location
• the City requests more accurate property information

Common Reasons Calgary Site Plans Need Corrections

A permit review can slow down when the site plan does not clearly answer basic property-layout questions.

Common problems include:

• property lines not shown
• parcel dimensions missing
• existing buildings omitted
• proposed work not labelled
• project dimensions missing
• setbacks not shown
• distance between the project and house missing
• rear lane or driveway access not shown
• garage-door orientation unclear
• parcel coverage not provided where needed
• rights-of-way ignored
• public trees not identified
• roof drainage directed toward another property
• the site plan does not match the floor plans or elevations
• the uploaded drawing is blurry or difficult to read

The City advises applicants to include all required plans, documents, and information. Missing or incomplete documents can prevent an application from being reviewed and lead to requests for additional material. [16]

What to Send When Ordering a Calgary Site Plan

Providing good information at the beginning makes the site plan easier to prepare accurately.

Useful items include:

• property address
• type of project
• proposed length and width
• preferred project location
• distance from nearby property lines
• photos of the property and work area
• a rough sketch or marked-up aerial image
• Real Property Report or survey, if available
• existing building plans, if available
• garage, deck, or addition drawings
• City correction comments, if already received
• known rights-of-way or utility information
• driveway, parking-pad, or rear-lane details
• public-tree information where relevant

How SitePlans.ca Can Help

SitePlans.ca prepares clear residential site plans for permit applications across Canada.

For a Calgary project, your site plan may show:

• property boundaries and parcel dimensions
• existing residence and accessory buildings
• proposed project footprint
• front, rear, and side setbacks
• distance between buildings
• driveway, parking-pad, or rear-lane access
• parcel coverage information
• rights-of-way and relevant site features
• north arrow, scale, dimensions, labels, and notes

You can also review our Alberta site plan services page, our Calgary garage site plan guide, and our Canadian permit site plan checklist.

Final Thoughts

A site plan for a permit in Calgary should make the property and proposed work easy to understand.

It should show the existing buildings, proposed project, property boundaries, setback dimensions, access route, parcel coverage, rights-of-way, and other site features that may affect the permit review.

Before submitting, confirm the current City of Calgary requirements for the specific project and address. Some projects may also require floor plans, elevations, cross-sections, engineering, trade permits, a Real Property Report, or additional planning approval.

Need a clear residential drawing for your Calgary permit application? Order your site plan online and provide your property and project details to get started.

Official Sources

1. City of Calgary — Building Permit Process Guidelines and Common Questions
2. City of Calgary — Additions
3. City of Calgary — Garage, Shed, Gazebo and Similar Structures
4. City of Calgary — Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, Low-Density Residential Rules
5. City of Calgary — Garage Building Permit Checklist
6. City of Calgary — Deck Permits and Application Requirements
7. City of Calgary — Land Use Bylaw Development Permit Exemptions