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

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

Lakeview RC Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

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, many residents find that these covenants help preserve the character of their neighborhoods, which can contribute positively to long-term property values. However, it's 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?

Please take the time to fill in our survey to share your thoughts on what a restrictive covenant for Lakeview should look like. Join our information session on June 17th to learn more. 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.

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

Currently we are aiming for an initial sign up in June. Please add your contact info to our mailing list to be kept up to date!

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.