Thinking about revamping your yard, building a patio, or installing a retaining wall in Calgary? You may be wondering do you need a permit? The short answer: sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on what you’re doing, where on your property it’s happening, and how much structural change is involved.
Understanding when a permit is necessary can save you from surprises, fines, or work having to be undone.
What the City of Calgary Says
Before digging or building, it helps to know what the City requires:
- Landscape license / encroachment: If your landscaping extends onto city land (for example, beyond your property line onto a walkway or boulevard), you may need a landscape license. That’s a one-time fee of $1,500 plus GST for the agreement. https://www.calgary.ca
- Development permit: When changes are more than cosmetic—like building structures, making large changes to land use, or altering lot layouts—a development permit may be required. https://www.calgary.ca
- Landscaping rules in bylaws: Residential projects must comply with Calgary’s Land Use Bylaw. If your project involves hard surfaces, retaining walls, or significant “hardscape,” it might fall into permit territory. https://www.calgary.ca
What Types of Landscaping Usually Don’t Need a Permit
For many common yard upgrades, you’re probably safe without a permit. Examples include:
- Planting grass, gardens, or flower beds
- Mulching
- Installing sod
- Minor yard grading (if it doesn’t impact drainage)
- Small decorative elements (non-structural)
However, these low-impact works still need to follow setback rules and not block drainage.
Landscaping Projects That Often Need Permits
Here are projects that are more likely to run into permit requirements in Calgary:
| Project Type | Likelihood of Permit | What to Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Retaining walls | Often required | If a wall holds back more than 1.2 m of soil, or combined walls exceed 1.2 m within 1 m distance https://www.calgary.ca |
| Decks / elevated patios | Usually yes | Elevated structures often require building or development permits |
| Permanent structures (gazebos, pergolas) | Likely yes | If attached or built with utilities, ceiling, roof |
| Hardscape / paving that changes drainage | Maybe | If it alters how water flows off your property |
| Landscaping on city land / boulevards | Yes | You’ll need a landscape license or encroachment agreement https://www.calgary.ca |
What to Do Before You Begin
- Check your zoning and district
Look up your property’s zoning and find out what is permitted under Calgary’s Land Use Bylaw. Permits Process - Talk to City planning or development staff
Many landscaping plans become part of larger permit packages. Ask if your project needs development or building permits. Permits Process FAQ - Get a site plan and measurements
Show existing structures, proposed changes, property lines, setbacks, slopes, and drainage paths. - Understand species & planting rules
If your project is part of a development permit, Calgary’s bylaws require certain plant species and ratios (e.g. 25% of trees must be coniferous). Land Use Bylaw - Apply early
Some permit processes take weeks. Don’t wait until the last minute.
How Long Permits Take & Costs
- Permits vary depending on complexity. Simple patios may be fast; complex retaining walls could take 2–6 weeks or more.
- A landscape license (for encroachment) is a one-time $1,500 plus GST. Landscape License Process
- Development permit application fees depend on the scope; check with Calgary’s Planning Department.
What Happens if You Build Without a Permit?
If you proceed without checking:
- You may be required to remove or change what you built
- Fines or penalties may be imposed
- It can complicate future sales (buyers want permitted work)
- You may run into compliance issues with drainage, setbacks, or structural safety
Is It Better to Hire a Professional?
Yes. A landscape designer or contractor who works in Calgary regularly can:
- Know local bylaws and which projects require permits
- Handle permit applications and drawings
- Help design your project to comply with setbacks, drainage, and codes
- Save you time and risk of non-compliance
You don’t always need a permit to do landscaping in Calgary many softscaping jobs (gardens, sod, planting) are fine without one. But once your project includes structural or hardscape elements, retaining walls, or encroaches into city land, permits often apply.
Always check with City planning, prepare your site plan, and when in doubt, work with a pro who understands Calgary’s bylaws and permit processes.
This way your landscaping project stays beautiful, legal, and trouble-free.