You love your neighborhood. The familiar streets, the local coffee shop where they know your order, the park where your kids (and maybe even grandkids) have played. But your home? It’s showing its age. The maintenance never ends, the layout doesn’t work for your needs anymore, and you know it’s not using your valuable lot to its full potential.
But what if you didn’t have to choose?
Calgary’s recent zoning changes have created an exciting third option that many longtime residents don’t realize exists. Instead of the traditional “stay or sell” dilemma, you can now transform your property while staying right where you are—potentially turning a single-family home into a modern multi-unit property with up to 8 units in some areas.
At Jenga Built, we’re helping homeowners like you discover this hidden potential. Imagine living in a brand-new, custom-designed home in your beloved neighborhood, possibly with rental income from additional units on the same lot. It’s not just a dream—it’s happening across Calgary’s established communities right now.
Keep reading to learn how you can now reinvent your property’s future without saying goodbye to your neighborhood.
The Traditional Homeowner's Dilemma in Calgary
If you’re like many Calgary homeowners in established neighborhoods, you’re probably familiar with this predicament. Your inner-city home has served you well for years, maybe even decades, but now you’re facing challenges that seem to have no perfect solution.
Your charming older home in Renfrew, Killarney, or Altadore might be full of memories, but it’s also full of maintenance issues. Those original hardwood floors need refinishing (again), the kitchen is straight out of the 80s, and your heating bills keep climbing as another Calgary winter approaches.
According to recent housing surveys, homeowners spend an average of 1-3% of their home’s value on annual maintenance—a number that increases significantly as homes pass the 30-year mark.
Meanwhile, your needs have evolved.
Perhaps you’re looking toward retirement and want to downsize, or you need space for adult children returning home. Maybe you’re considering multi-generational living arrangements but your current layout makes that impossible. Your two-story home with its narrow staircase might not be ideal as you think about aging in place.
The financial picture adds another layer of complexity.
Calgary property taxes in established neighborhoods have increased steadily, while your home might represent your largest asset—you’re “asset-rich but cash-light,” a common situation for many homeowners aged 45-70.
You know your property has significant value, especially the land itself, but that value is locked up unless you sell.
And therein lies the traditional dilemma:
- Stay: Keep your beloved location but continue pouring money into an aging home that doesn’t quite meet your needs.
- Sell: Cash in on your property’s value but leave behind the neighborhood connections you’ve built over years or decades.
For generations, these were the only options available to Calgary homeowners. But thanks to recent changes in the city’s approach to residential development, there’s now an exciting third path forward that combines the best of both worlds.
Calgary's Zoning Revolution: A Game-Changer for Landowners
Something remarkable is happening across Calgary’s residential landscape—a quiet revolution in how we think about property development that’s creating unprecedented opportunities for homeowners like you.
In 2024-2025, Calgary updated its residential zoning bylaws with a focus on increasing density, promoting housing affordability, and creating more diverse living options. These changes aren’t just bureaucratic reshuffling—they’re a potential windfall for property owners who understand how to leverage them.
What Exactly Has Changed with Calgary Zoning?
Let’s break down the key zoning designations that might apply to your property:
R-CG (Residential – Grade-Oriented Infill) This zoning, which applies to many established inner-city neighborhoods, now allows:
- Up to 4 primary units per lot where previously only one single-family home was permitted
- Each unit can potentially include a secondary suite, bringing the total to 8 units on a single property
- Buildings up to 11 meters tall, helping to increase density without towering over existing homes
- Ideal for properties with a minimum 7.5 meter frontage and 233 square meter area
H-GO (Housing – Grade Oriented) This newer designation, often found along urban corridors with good transit access, permits:
- Higher-density townhomes and row houses up to 12 meters tall
- Up to 8 units and two buildings on a single property
- Ground-level access requirements that maintain the neighborhood’s walkable character
- Perfect for larger lots (minimum 12 meter frontage and 360 square meter area)
R-G (Residential – Low Density Mixed Housing) Applied in developing areas, this zoning supports:
- Single detached homes with legal secondary suites
- Duplexes and, in some cases, rowhouses or townhomes
- Especially suitable for multi-generational living arrangements
In practical terms, these changes mean you could potentially transform your aging single-family home into a modern multi-unit development—without selling your land or leaving your neighborhood.
You could live in one unit and generate income from the others, or create a custom living arrangement that accommodates extended family.
The City of Calgary has also streamlined the approval process for these types of developments, making what was once a lengthy rezoning battle much more straightforward. For landowners, this means less red tape, faster approvals, and more certainty when planning a project.
Why Does This Matters for Your Property?
This zoning transformation creates a powerful equation:
More units allowed = More options and potentially more income.
Imagine your 50-foot lot that currently holds a single aging bungalow. Under R-CG zoning, that same piece of land could potentially accommodate:
- Four modern townhomes with separate entrances
- Each with potential secondary suites
- All built to current energy efficiency standards
- With contemporary layouts and features
This isn’t just about density—it’s about unlocking the hidden potential in your property while contributing to Calgary’s evolution toward more sustainable, walkable communities.
For landowners who’ve watched their neighborhoods change over decades, these new zoning options represent a chance to be part of that change in a positive way, rather than feeling pressured to sell to developers. It puts the power back in your hands to shape both your property’s future and your community’s development.
And speaking of growth and exciting opportunities… we want to re-introduce you to Jenga Built!
Jenga Built is a dynamic branch of our company specializing in high-quality infill developments designed to thrive under Calgary’s new zoning. With our team of experts navigating the ins and outs of urban development, we are focused on maximizing property value for both investors and homeowners.
What makes Jenga Built your go-to partner for capitalizing on Calgary's development opportunities?
- Zoning Savvy: We are specialists in delivering projects that are fully compliant with Calgary’s new zoning bylaws (like H-GO, R-CG, R-G), ensuring your project aligns perfectly with urban planning and maximizes potential.
- Vibrant Urban Spaces: Our focus isn’t just on buildings; it’s on creating high-value developments that enhance communities and shape the future of urban living.
- Seamless Turnkey Solutions: From initial design and architectural planning to high-quality construction and final inspections, we manage every detail. This means a stress-free, on-time, and on-budget development experience for you.
Could Jenga Built be the key to unlocking your next successful investment or your dream home in a thriving Calgary community? We certainly think so!
To learn more about how Jenga Built can help you capitalize on Calgary’s development opportunities, or if you’re ready to discuss your next project, give us a call on (403)-454-2218 today.
