Calgary Blanket Rezoning 2026: What the Repeal Hearing Means for Infill Development

TL;DR: Calgary City Council held a landmark public hearing starting March 23, 2026 to consider repealing its 2024 blanket rezoning policy. The repeal would restore previous zoning rules requiring individual Land Use Redesignation applications before building multi-unit infill. If you own a Calgary lot or are considering infill development, here’s what you need to know and why acting sooner rather than later matters.

If you’ve been following Calgary real estate, you’ve heard “blanket rezoning” more times than you can count. In 2024, Calgary changed the base zoning for most residential lots city-wide to R-CG (Residential, Grade-Oriented Infill). That one change meant a homeowner in Renfrew, or an investor eyeing a lot in Inglewood, could build rowhouses, fourplexes, and townhouses without a lengthy rezoning application. The goal was to add more housing faster. By late 2025, a newly elected council had other ideas. On March 23, 2026, Calgary opened a landmark public hearing to consider repealing that policy entirely.

This is what happened, what it means for Calgary infill construction, and how you can still move forward smartly no matter which way the vote ultimately lands.

What Was Blanket Rezoning, Exactly?

Blanket rezoning was a city-wide zoning change that took effect in August 2024. Before it came in, if you owned a single-family home in an older Calgary neighbourhood and wanted to build a duplex or rowhouse, you had to apply for a Land Use Redesignation. That process could take four to six months and came with significant fees. Blanket rezoning eliminated that step. Suddenly, a lot in Capitol Hill or Hillhurst that previously allowed only one detached home could legally support up to four units, each with a potential secondary suite. That’s up to eight homes on a single lot.

For infill development in Calgary, this was a meaningful shift. Projects that previously required a year-long approval runway could move much faster. To understand what this meant for specific zoning types, read our guides on R-CG zoning, H-GO zoning, and R-G zoning.

What Happened at the March 23, 2026 Public Hearing?

The March 23 hearing drew more registered speakers and written submissions than almost any public hearing in Calgary’s recent history. The city received registrations from 339 individual speakers, 73 panels of speakers (five speakers per panel), and 2,328 written submissions. Council sat in chambers every weekday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The scale of the hearing reflects how deeply this policy divided Calgarians. On one side: homeowners worried about neighbourhood character, infrastructure strain, and parking. On the other: housing advocates, younger buyers, and developers who saw blanket rezoning as one of the few policies actually addressing Calgary’s housing supply problem.

What Triggered the Repeal Push?

In December 2025, council voted 13-2 in favour of rolling back the blanket rezoning policy. That vote didn’t immediately change anything. It started a formal process requiring city administration to amend the land use bylaw, but that amendment required a public hearing first, which is what opened on March 23. The newly elected council majority had campaigned in part on restoring neighbourhood input into rezoning decisions.

What Were the Arguments on Each Side?

Arguments for repeal (restoring previous zoning):

• Existing infrastructure in many established neighbourhoods wasn’t designed for significantly higher density
• Neighbourhood character changed without meaningful community consultation
• Parking and traffic pressure increased noticeably in some inner-city areas
• Individual rezoning applications allowed neighbours to weigh in before development began

Arguments against repeal (keeping blanket rezoning):

• Blanket rezoning made it faster and cheaper to build infill units
• More housing supply helps moderate price increases for renters and buyers
• Most written submissions supported repeal, but opposing voices were significant
• Repealing the policy would reduce Calgary’s ability to hit its housing targets

What Does a Repeal Actually Mean for Your Lot?

• Before blanket rezoning (pre-2024): You needed to apply for a Land Use Redesignation before building anything beyond a single-family home. This added months and thousands of dollars.
• During blanket rezoning (2024-2026): Most lots were already zoned R-CG. You could skip the redesignation step and move straight to development permit applications.
• After repeal: You would likely return to the pre-2024 system. Lots that were upzoned under the blanket policy would revert to their previous designation.

The bottom line: a repeal adds time and cost to infill projects in established Calgary neighbourhoods. If you’re a landowner wondering whether you can still redevelop your property without selling, the answer is still yes — the process just becomes longer.

Should You Still Pursue Infill Development in Calgary?

Yes, and here’s why. Even with a repeal, Calgary’s infill development fundamentals remain strong. The city is still growing. Established inner-city neighbourhoods still command strong rental rates and resale values. The demand for walkable, well-located housing isn’t going away regardless of zoning rules.

The real risk isn’t the policy change. It’s waiting so long that you miss the window to lock in your project under current rules, or fail to plan ahead for the new ones. If you own a lot in an established Calgary neighbourhood, now is a very good time to understand where the best infill ROI opportunities are and get a free lot assessment so you understand exactly where your property stands before the rules solidify.

What Happens Next?

As of the time of writing, the public hearing had recently concluded and a council vote was expected imminently. Once council votes, city administration would begin amending the land use bylaw. That process takes time — it’s not an overnight change.

For property owners and investors, the window between the vote and the bylaw amendment taking effect is an important one. Projects that begin the development permit process before the amendment is finalized may still proceed under the current R-CG permissions. We’ll update this article once the official council vote result is confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Calgary blanket rezoning?

Calgary blanket rezoning was a city-wide policy that took effect in August 2024 and changed the base zoning for most residential lots to R-CG (Residential, Grade-Oriented Infill). This allowed property owners to build multi-unit housing like rowhouses, duplexes, and fourplexes without first applying for a Land Use Redesignation. A public hearing to repeal the policy began on March 23, 2026.

What does R-CG zoning allow in Calgary?

R-CG zoning allows for rowhouses, duplexes, and townhouses with or without secondary suites on a residential lot. Depending on the lot size, this can mean up to four primary units, each with a potential secondary suite, for a total of up to eight homes on a single property. Read our full R-CG guide here.

Will the blanket rezoning repeal affect my existing development permit?

Generally, if you already have an approved development permit, you are protected. The repeal would primarily affect new applications. However, every situation is different. We strongly recommend speaking with a development professional or the City of Calgary directly to confirm your specific status.

How long does a Land Use Redesignation take in Calgary?

Under the pre-blanket-rezoning system, a Land Use Redesignation application typically took four to six months, sometimes longer depending on complexity, neighbourhood opposition, and city workload. Fees and professional preparation costs also apply. Read our full infill process guide for more detail on timelines.

What should I do if I own a Calgary lot and want to develop infill?

The best first step is to understand exactly what your lot is currently zoned for and what a repeal would mean for your options. Jenga Built offers a free lot assessment where Muthui Mwangi will visit your property personally and provide a written report within 24 hours. No obligation. Just clarity.

Book your Free Lot Assessment today and let’s figure out what your Calgary lot is actually worth.