The R-CG land-use district was introduced by the City of Calgary in 2014 with the goal of gently increasing density on corner-lot properties, enabling a broader variety of housing that can be both smaller and at a reduced price, and increasing utilization on existing infrastructure such as public transit, sewer systems, and public parks.

After criticism of R-CG developments having basement suites in areas that do not adequately support extra density, R-CGex was developed in 2018 to offer the same bylaw rules as R-CG except disallowing secondary suites.

The H-GO land-use district was introduced by the City of Calgary in 2023 with the goal of gently increasing density on more properties than R-CG already accommodated, by optimizing the use of existing infrastructure, and offering alternative housing options. H-GO is designed to improve access to urban amenities for more Calgarians. Typically, an H-GO developed property would be a mid-block property, and can utilize two main residential buildings with a central courtyard, and is located within close proximity to public transit.

The R-CG land-use zoning is a low-density zoning which means a variety of low-density dwelling types can be built, including single family dwellings, semi-detached or duplex dwellings, and row-housing, all of which can include secondary suites if certain requirements are met. A rowhouse can be approved for development on a corner lot, or in specific circumstances a mid-block lot. The R-CG land-use zoning has a maximum density of 75 units per hectare or a maximum of 4 units per 50×120 property size.

Conversely, the H-GO land-use zoning is not considered “low-density” or “high-density”, in that it is simply “grade-oriented housing”. This means an H-GO zoned lot has no density maximum, but rather requirements that must be met that limit development such as parking minimums, units accessible directly from grade, height restrictions, and setback restrictions. H-GO can offer different creative solutions to housing and may support different alternatives to the idea of housing.

Both zonings do have a similar goal in mind: to allow for the redevelopment of older housing stock that uses already existing infrastructure. Most H-GO or R-CG developments will have some access to transit such as LRT, BRT, or regular bus lines, and you’ll find them mostly in inner-city developed community such as Killarney, Hillhurst, Capitol Hill, Mount Pleasant, or Bridgeland, just to name a few.

The City has gone through mass-redesignation, both in the past and currently, which is systematically creating R-CG zonings along busier corridors through communities. This intends for the higher impact developments in R-CG lands to front along the busier streets, while the lower impact single family dwellings can remain on less busy streets. A large number of properties are already zoned R-CG, but even more are still zoned R-C1 or R-C2.

If a property is zoned R-C1 or R-C2 and meets certain eligibility requirements, a private property owner could apply for a land-use redesignation through the City of Calgary to convert the zoning to R-CG. The City of Calgary evaluates the application based on its compliance with the Municipal Development Plan and the Calgary Transportation Plan. Additionally, the application must be in accordance with the local area plan, if one exists. The decision-making process involves a public hearing where interested parties can provide input, followed by a decision by the Calgary City Council. If the application is approved, the property will be redesignated as R-CG and the owner can then proceed with submitting a development permit to gain approval to redevelop with R-CG bylaws.. It’s important to note that these land-use redesignations are site-specific and can only be approved if applicable conditions are met. Not all R-C1 or R-C2 properties are approvable to change to R-CG.

If a property is zoned R-C1, R-C2, or R-CG and meets specific eligibility requirements, a private property owner could apply for a land-use redesignation through the City of Calgary to convert the zoning to H-GO. This is very similar to converting to R-CG, however a local Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) must be updated to allow H-GO style development. This ensures that any potential H-GO development site is along a major corridor such as a local main street, is within close proximity to frequent public transit, and is not going to pose a detrimental impact to existing housing stock.

Height: An R-CG development is limited at 11.0m from grade. An H-GO development is limited at 12.0m from grade. Each zoning has additional height restrictions such as building height chamfers

Storeys: Typically, an R-CG or H-GO development can be built with two storeys above grade. In certain circumstances and following building height rules, it is possible for portions of developments to be built up to three storeys above grade.

Coverage: An R-CG development is limited at between 45 and 60% lot coverage for all buildings on site including units, garages, and mobility storage lockers. An H-GO development is also limited at between 45 and 60% lot coverage for all buildings, but with additional landscape requirements. Furthermore, setback requirements, access requirements, and amenity space requirements may limit building coverage further.

Density: An R-CG development is limited to 75 units per hectare, which translates to a 50×120 property having 4 units. An H-GO development does not have a density maximum, however does have a Floor Area Ratio maximum of 1.5, and parking minimums that will limit density, which might translate to a 50×120 property having a maximum of 4 units with 4 secondary suites.

Square Footage: An R-CG development that utilizes 4 units on a 50×120 property might expect a unit size of around 1100 to 1200 square feet, with basement suite sizes around 450 square feet. An H-GO development that utilizes 4 units on a 50×120 property might expect a unit size of around 1000 to 1100 square feet, with basement suite sizes around 450 square feet. If a developer chooses to develop less units, each unit might grow in size. These are very variable and will depend on the lot characteristics, size, site grading, and the final density.

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Generally, yes, secondary suites are allowed for R-CG and H-GO zoned properties in Calgary. In fact, the City of Calgary encourages the inclusion of secondary suites as part of row-housing developments to provide additional housing options within the inner-city.

For the R-CG zoning, secondary suites are allowed if they meet parking criteria: minimum parking stalls, mobility storage lockers, and bicycle parking stalls are achieved on site for each unit and suite. Typically, close proximity to primary transit is encouraged, and suites may be discouraged if proximity to transit is too far.

For the R-CGex zoning, no secondary suites are allowed.

For the H-GO zoning, secondary suites are allowed if they meet parking criteria: minimum parking stalls, mobility storage lockers, and bicycle parking stalls are achieved on site for each unit and suite. Further, an H-GO property is only permitted to be located within 600m of an LRT platform, or 400m of a BRT station, or 200m of a primary bus service.