Welcome to your guide for Calgary’s Infill Fast-Track Program (IFTP), with everything homeowners and investors need to know. Below, we go over the program, accepted designs, lot considerations, and more!
Need a Builder for Your Infill Fast-Track Program Design?
Gold Homes is one of Calgary’s most experienced infill builders. Whether you are a homeowner looking to redevelop your property or an investor pursuing new construction opportunities, our team can manage your IFTP project from design selection through to move-in day for highly competitive prices. Contact us today.
What Is the Infill Fast-Track Program?
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The City of Calgary has now officially launched the IFTP, a pilot initiative designed to accelerate the review and approval of development permits (DP) for middle-housing infill projects in Calgary’s established neighbourhoods.
The program provides a catalogue of six pre-reviewed housing designs that have been evaluated by a panel of engineers, architects, city planners, design consultants, and energy efficiency professionals. The designs allow for a minimum of six to eight units per property, including primary and secondary suites.
The goal is straightforward: move pre-reviewed designs from application to approval in approximately eight weeks, give or take – a significant improvement over the city’s current development permit timelines.
Important note: the discretionary development permit process still applies. IFTP applications remain subject to standard circulation, policy review, notice posting, and advertising. Community members retain the right to comment on and appeal these applications.
Why Does the Program Matter?
Calgary is expected to add 110,000 or more new residents between 2023 and 2028. The IFTP helps address rapidly growing housing demand by streamlining the approvals process for infill development in established areas.
The program is designed to deliver:
- Improved predictability of service levels, timelines, and costs
- Clear submission requirements
- A simplified intake and review process
- Predictable housing forms through pre-reviewed designs
- Opportunities for a range of applicants — including homeowners — to redevelop their properties
- Faster review and approval timelines, leading to more homes built sooner
- Increased housing diversity and choice
- Lower development permit fees compared to the standard DART process
Six IFTP Approved Designs
The City of Calgary has selected six designs for the IFTP catalogue. Each was evaluated against the IFTP Design Evaluation Criteria and vetted for compliance with City regulations and policies for a standard R-CG lot. Below is a summary of each approved design.
Important note: The City of Calgary is voting on blanket R-CG zoning in late March, which may affect your applicability under the IFTP program.
1. Strata ———
- Grade-level secondary suite entries at the rear of the building for improved privacy between residents
- Conventional building form designed for efficient buildability and minimal construction complexity
- Peaked roof forms compatible with the character and scale of Calgary’s established residential neighbourhoods
- Open main floor layout with ample windows for natural daylighting and improved interior livability
2. 6Fold ———
- Six units across two buildings: two 4-bedroom primary units, two 3-bedroom basement suites, and two 1-bedroom garage suites
- Exterior finishes include brick, stucco, hardie board, and batten cedar
- Four-car garage and two mobility storage lockers
- Access from both the street and back lane
- Suitable for R-CG lots of 50 ft × 120 ft (6,000 sq ft) or larger
3. Brooklyn Brownstone ———
- Basement suites: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, in-suite laundry, private mechanical room, 9-foot ceilings, and designated amenity space
- Main suites: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, in-suite laundry, private mechanical room, 9-foot ceilings, and designated amenity space
4. Arbor ———
- Sunken secondary suite entries for discreet access, improved privacy, and clear unit addressing
- Conventional building form for efficient constructability and reduced builder risk
- Peak-within-a-peak roof massing compatible with established Calgary communities
- Open main floor plan with generous glazing for natural light
5. The Nesting ———
- Sustainable R-CG grade-oriented infill townhouse with four dwelling units and four secondary suites on a single parcel
- Each primary residence is a three-storey unit of approximately 1,670 sq ft with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, including a private third-floor balcony
- Secondary suites of approximately 616 sq ft each
- Four-stall detached garage with EV charging rough-ins, dedicated bicycle parking, and a defined waste enclosure
6. Facet ———
- Two primary units, two enlarged basement secondary suites, and two backyard suites above the rear garage
- Peak roof forms for neighbourhood compatibility
- Generous central outdoor amenity space supporting livability for all units
- Open main-level layouts with office space and ample glazing; backyard suites share the main building’s design language
Is Your Property Eligible for IFTP?
To participate in Calgary’s IFTP, your property must satisfy all of the following site eligibility criteria:
- Located within the Established Areas boundary
- Designated Residential – Grade-Oriented Infill (R-CG) District
- Must align with the statutory policy of the area
- Minimum lot size of 50 ft × 120 ft (6,000 sq ft)
- Site slope no greater than 6% (to be verified by survey)
- Adjacent lane of at least 6.1 metres in width
- Direct connection to sanitary, storm, and water services
- Not located on a designated Main Street
- Not located within a public realm setback
- Not located within a flood risk area (flood fringe, floodway, or floodplain)
- Not located within the Western Headworks Canal Catchment Area
- Not designated as heritage or within a Heritage Policy Area
Using the Interactive Screening Map
The City of Calgary provides an interactive screening map at maps.calgary.ca/InfillFastTrackProgram/ to help you check your property. On the map:
- Orange parcels meet initial location-based requirements
- Grey parcels do not meet one or more criteria
You can click any parcel to view a detailed eligibility breakdown and use the Measure Tool to estimate lane width and lot dimensions.
Approved Housing Typologies
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Your project must use a design from the IFTP Catalogue and fit one of the following three missing-middle housing typologies:
- Two-unit semi-detached homes — each with two secondary suites and two backyard suites
- Four-unit townhouses — with at least two secondary suites
- Four-unit corner rowhouses — with at least two secondary suites
These designs have been pre-vetted to meet the program’s densification goals while maintaining high-quality urban design standards.
How to Apply: The Six-Step Process
Use the interactive map and the parcel eligibility checklist to verify that your property qualifies. Zoning, lot size, slope, lane access, and utility connections must all be confirmed before proceeding.
Browse the IFTP Design Catalogue and select a design that suits your project and site. Consider your budget, timelines, permit fees, and engineering fees when making your selection.
Reach out to the designer responsible for your selected plan. This step is critical — the designer will prepare your development permit application and ensure all required documentation is accurate and complete. The City has prepared a Complete Application Requirement List (CARL) outlining all necessary submission materials. Be sure to confirm the cost of using the design you have selected.
Your designer/copyright owner will lead the submission of your development permit application through the IFTP stream. The submission process follows the same steps used for other low-density development permits.
IFTP Planning File Managers will verify completeness, assess alignment with IFTP criteria and site eligibility, review compatibility with local planning policies, coordinate with internal departments, and provide feedback or request clarifications as needed. If your application is incomplete or non-compliant, it may be delayed or redirected to the standard DART review process with a longer timeline.
Track your application status using the City’s Development Map (DMap) tool. Your designer will receive updates from the City and should keep you informed throughout the review process.
What Changes ARE Allowed to Pre-Approved Designs?
- Building elevation details such as aesthetic changes to doors, windows, colour, and exterior materials of equal or higher quality
- Landscaping adjustments such as plant species and location
- Interior layout modifications
- Changes required to comply with the Alberta Building Code or to reflect updates to policy or other regulation changes
What Changes Are NOT Allowed to Pre-Approved Designs?
- Any changes that cause non-compliance with Land Use Bylaw regulations — no relaxations will be granted under IFTP 2.0
- Changes to the building footprint or any increase in the main floor area
Costs and Fees
While the City of Calgary has partnered with designers to develop the catalogue, fees do apply. Applicants can expect costs for:
- Obtaining the selected plans from the designer/copyright owner
- City fees for application submission
- Professional services related to preparing and managing the development permit application
That said, the City notes that IFTP development permit fees are lower than standard DART development permit fees — a meaningful cost savings for applicants.
Infill Fast-Track Program: Frequently Asked Questions
Does choosing an IFTP design guarantee approval?
No. Selecting a pre-reviewed design may expedite the development permit approval process, but approval is not guaranteed. These applications are discretionary and subject to planning policy review, circulation, notice posting, advertising, and potential appeal.
Does the IFTP process remove the community’s right to comment?
No. The discretionary process remains in place. Community members can comment on and appeal IFTP development permit applications. Public input remains an important part of the process.
What happens if my application does not meet IFTP criteria?
If significant changes are needed or the application does not meet the fast-track criteria, it may be removed from the IFTP stream and placed into the standard DART process, which follows a longer review timeline.
What housing typologies are included?
The initial catalogue features two-unit semi-detached homes (with secondary and backyard suites), four-unit townhouses (with at least two secondary suites), and four-unit corner rowhouses (with at least two secondary suites). The City aims to explore additional typologies based on the program’s success.
What is the R-CG land use district?
R-CG stands for Residential – Grade-Oriented Infill District. It is a residential designation that allows for a variety of housing forms including single-detached, semi-detached, secondary suites, and rowhouses.
What other initiatives is IFTP connected to?
The program aligns with “Home is Here — The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy” and is connected to the draft Calgary Plan. As work on the draft Calgary Plan and Draft Zoning Bylaw progresses, additional changes to IFTP 2.0 may be introduced in the future.
Gold Homes: Your IFTP 2.0 Infill Builder
The Infill Fast Track Program 2.0 represents a significant opportunity for homeowners and investors to develop high-quality middle housing in Calgary’s established communities — with faster timelines and lower permit fees. Gold Homes has the expertise to guide you through every phase of this process, from eligibility screening and design selection to construction and final delivery. If you own an eligible R-CG property or are looking to acquire one, we are ready to help you build. Contact us today to get started.
