Lakeview RC Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

This is the first I am hearing of RC’s and I don’t feel comfortable signing up but may want to at some point.

If you are unsure, no problem. We understand this is a big decision. We encourage you to do your research and come to one of the information sessions on June 17th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. There will be additional sessions to sign RC’s at the end of June and in the fall.

Please email

lakeviewrestrictivecovenant@gmail.com

by June 10, 2025 and you will be able to complete the process on June 17th, 2025. RC Committee Members will walk you through the process.

I already know I want a RC on my property. What are next steps? Where do I sign up?

R-CG Zoning

Q: Which areas of Calgary are impacted by rezoning?

The City of Calgary recently introduced citywide rezoning, designating a large portion of the city under R-CG zoning. This new zoning took effect August 6, 2024, and includes all residential properties in Lakeview.

Q: What is R-CG Zoning?

R-CG (Residential Contextual Grade Oriented) zoning permits a variety of residential developments, including:

Single detached homes
Semi-detached homes
Townhouses
Row houses
Fourplexes

*All of the above also permit secondary suites and laneway suites

Three recent developments have been approved; 4 townhouse/4 suite development on 66th Avenue SW, Ladbrooke Drive subdivision and Lindstrom Drive subdivision. These are the types of developments the committee is trying to discourage through Restrictive Covenants.

Key Zoning Changes:

Height Limit: 11 meters/36 feet (up to 3 stories)
Density: 75 units per hectare
Parking Requirement: 0.5 parking spaces per unit
Front Setback: 3 metres from laneway
Parcel coverage: Maximum allowable increased to 60% from 45%

For official Land Use Bylaw Details, please see the city of Calgary document

Restrictive Covenant

Q: What is a Restrictive Covenant?

A Restrictive Covenant is a legally binding agreement that places limitations on what property owners can do with their land. It is a property right that overrides land use by-laws.
There are currently several dozen Calgary communities exercising similar options including: Lake Bonavista, Rideau, Roxboro, Kelvin Grove, Chinook Park, Eagle Ridge, Elbow Park, Bel-Aire, Varsity and Mayfair.

This covenant is registered on the property's title and remains in effect even after the property is sold.

Q: What will a Restrictive Covenant for Lakeview entail?

The main goal of the Restrictive Covenant for Lakeview will be to preserve the current character of our community — single-family homes, mature trees, and quiet streets. Please visit the survey page to have your voice heard on what you’d like a restrictive covenant in our neighbourhood to entail.

Q: Does everyone on our street need to sign the RC for it to be effective?

While it’s not necessary for every resident to sign the Restrictive Covenant, the more homeowners that participate, the stronger the protection against developers. A significant number of participants can prevent land assemblies that may result in multi-unit developments, helping to preserve the neighborhood's character. If enough residents sign on, developers are less likely to pursue projects in Lakeview.

Q: Will there be a cost associated with adding a Restrictive Covenant to my property title?

Yes, we are currently looking at a fee of $750. The $750 fee includes two primary components:
1. Legal Costs – Approximately half of the fee will be used to cover the cost of registering the restrictive covenant on title to your property. This includes the legal fees and disbursements charged by Carbert Waite LLP, a reputable Calgary-based law firm with experience supporting similar community initiatives.
2. Legal Defence and Organizational Costs – The remaining portion contributes to a legal defence fund to help enforce the restrictive covenant if challenged. It also supports the anticipated future formation of a legal society to manage the restrictive covenant in the future, including the initial setup and modest ongoing administrative costs.

The $750 fee is comparable to the fees charged in other communities that are implementing restrictive covenants. While we appreciate that $750 is a meaningful investment, we believe it represents good value given the long-term protection and certainty the restrictive covenant provides.

Q: How will a Restrictive Covenant affect my property value?

At present, there is no available data to suggest that the implementation of a Restrictive Covenant has led to a decline in property values in any of the communities where it has been adopted. In fact, a property on Lépine Ct. Sold in August for $200k over list with a restrictive covenant registered on title. Many residents find that these covenants help preserve the character of their neighbourhood, which can contribute positively to long-term property values. It's also important to consider the potential negative impact on property values that could arise from developments such as multiplexes or high-density buildings being constructed next door—an issue that the RC is specifically designed to mitigate. For more detailed information regarding this concern, you may be interested in this presentation.

Q: Can I remove a RC from my property title?

Basically, no. Since a restrictive covenant is linked to the land title, removing it is quite challenging. For Lakeview, the covenant will include a provision that requires the agreement of 75% of the RC holders in order to have it removed.

Q: What if I decide not to apply an RC but my neighbours do?

Your lot may initially appeal to developers and could sell for a higher price. However, if all residents in our neighborhood adopt this mindset, Lakeview could quickly lose the very features that make it desirable. Keep in mind that Calgary's RC-G zoning impacts all neighborhoods across the city. If we alter the unique character of our community, where will you go next? There is power in numbers, and the more RCs we can register in Lakeview, the less enticing it becomes to developers. This will help us protect the qualities that make our neighborhood so valuable.

Q: How can I get involved?

Review our presentation from our information session. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the initiative or have questions, please email lakeviewrestrictivecovenant@gmail.ca and sign up to join our mailing list.

Join us on November 18th at 7:30 pm at the Lakeview Community Centre for an Info Session about RC.

Q: When can I sign up? Is there a deadline to sign the RC?

There will be no formal deadline to sign the Restrictive Covenant; however, signing sooner will increase the effectiveness of the covenant. We will also coordinate group signing sessions, which can offer cost savings. After the initial signing period, registering individually could become more expensive.

Please add your contact info to our mailing list to be kept up to date!

Q: What are the key elements of the RC? How is it different than the current R-CG zoning rules?

A draft of the Lakeview RC is posted here, for everyone to review. Below is a summary of the RC elements.

Q: How did the RC Committee come up with the key elements of Lakeview RC?

We took a multi-pronged approach. We reviewed every survey response that came in, worked with legal counsel to understand the enforceability of RC’s and spoke with many communities that have had RC’s in place for a long time and communities that have recently implemented RC’s. The Lakeview RC reflects an effort to find common ground in all of Lakeview and in doing so, keep our community whole.

Q: What happens if a property has a RC and the owner is attempting to violate the terms of the RC?

This is why a Legal Society will be created. For the RC to continue to provide the protection we desire, its terms must be defended using the Courts if necessary. We feel that awareness will mitigate many possible concerns/contraventions in our community.

The Legal Society will be the first point of contact to the owner should they be violating the terms of the RC. The Legal Society will be using the pooled funds to retain counsel and advise the owner that they are in violation of the RC. This effort will be ongoing to not only preserve Lakeview but also the value of everyone’s RC’s.

I already know I want a RC on my property. What are next steps? Where do I sign up?

Please email lakeviewrestrictivecovenant@gmail.com and an RC Committee Members will walk you through the process.

This is the first I am hearing of RC’s and I don’t feel comfortable signing up but may want to at some point.

If you are unsure, no problem. We understand this is a big decision. We encourage you to do your research and review our presentation from our information session. There will be additional info session on November 18th at 7:30pm at the Lakeview Community Centre.

I already know I want a RC on my property. What are next steps? Where do I sign up?

Q: Shouldn’t we wait until after the municipal election to see what happens with rezoning?

It is understandable that many residents are looking to the upcoming municipal election for clarity. Several candidates have indicated that they would work to rescind blanket rezoning. However, there are important considerations:

Election outcomes are uncertain. Even if candidates opposed to rezoning are elected, any repeal would still require majority support from council.
Future direction is unknown. If blanket rezoning were overturned, we do not yet know what would replace it, or how long that decision would remain in place. Priorities can shift with each election cycle.
Restrictive covenants provide long-term stability. Unlike political decisions that may change every four years, restrictive covenants are a community-driven, lasting tool. They are the most reliable way to preserve the character of our neighbourhood well into the future.

For these reasons, we encourage residents to think beyond the next election cycle. Restrictive covenants are not only about the immediate term—they are about protecting and preserving the community for generations.

For more information on candidate’s stances on rezoning, please view their answers to this questionaire:

https://yycupzoningquestionnaire.github.io/map/