Alberta Multifamily Digest

Expect 4-12 weeks total for residential approvals via dual Development and Building Permits.

• Calgary: Permitted 3-4w, discretionary/infill 8-12w...

Calgary's blanket rezoning repeal highlights stark tensions:

• Swift action demanded: Community groups rallied at city hall Monday, urging councillors...

During several weeks of public hearings on blanket rezoning at Calgary city hall, councillors are expected to remain open to persuasion—sparking debate on whether this is direct democracy in action or outdated amid multifamily zoning tensions.

Calgary Zoning and Policy Shifts

• 🔥 Blanket Rezoning Repealed: City Council voted to approve the repeal of blanket rezoning following public...

Essential resource for monitoring multifamily permitting: Search permits across Alberta municipalities (26 total in AB/BC/ON). Filter by trade, work type, contractor, project value, date to track volumes/delays in Calgary/Edmonton.

Calgary's zoning recalibration post-repeal:

• Blanket rezoning repealed April 8 after public hearings
• Councillor Clarke seeks soundproofing rules...

Innovative fixes for multifamily projects near entertainment spots like Ship & Anchor:

• Acoustic solutions like room-within-a-room designs decouple...

Key data reveals how emotions sidelined evidence in Calgary's blanket rezoning repeal, hitting multifamily pipelines and exposing public input...

Edmonton council approved rezoning for ATCO Viva Homes 32-unit modular townhomes at 240 Haddow Close NW, targeting lower rents in a prime transit...

• Vacancy climbs: Purpose-built rate hit 3.1% in 2025 per CMHC, up from 2.2% amid new supply and slowing demand.
• Decade high ahead: RBC sees over...

Glut of new purpose-built rentals, combined with slower population growth, drives down asking rents in Alberta. More rental-to-sale flips emerging as market unhinges—key warning for multifamily investors.

Falcon Two tower is under construction in downtown Edmonton, featuring 255 units with 67 set aside for affordable housing as part of a broader core push. Key momentum for purpose-built rentals in the urban core.

Canada's empty department stores, struggling suburban malls, and underutilized parking lots are repurposing into mixed-use communities and...

Minister's update highlights permit processing throughput:

• 640 building permits handled by the team last year
• 323 permit revisions also processed
• Signals capacity amid planning processes, key for multifamily timelines per budget brief

Zoning and Development Surge

• 🔥 Blanket Rezoning Reversal: Calgary's blanket rezoning reversal has led to a spike in development applications by...

Calgary's development timeline accelerates:

• Committee endorsement: 'Business-friendly' construction policy passes first hurdle.
• Rezoning reversal:...

• Real pain for apartment landlords amid excess supply hitting the market.
• Record housing starts last year; nearly 18,000 units under construction,...

Early public engagement underway for large Hillhurst project featuring at least a dozen buildings: townhomes, high-rise apartments, commercial space, and a central village square.

Key milestone: First residents are moving into the new Tsuut'ina Nation development, with three community villages planned for over 6,500 units and capacity for ~12,000 residents—a major boost to Calgary-area supply.

• Average rent $1,759, up 60.5% MoM and 22.57% YoY
• 26 rentals available, prices $1,300–$3,046
• Key for underwriters: monitor this suburban hotspot amid listings like The District ($1,450–$1,950)