R-C2 — Residential – Contextual One / Two Dwelling District

Residential – Contextual One / Two Dwelling District (R-C2) is one of Calgary's low-density residential districts under the Land Use Bylaw. Permitted: contextual single detached house, contextual semi-detached house, secondary suite. Needs City approval: single detached house, semi-detached house, duplex, backyard suite.

Last reviewed: August 2026

This district was removed by Bylaw 21P2024 (blanket rezoning, effective January 1, 2025) and restored by Bylaw 9P2026 (effective August 4, 2026) — the August 4, 2026 repeal of blanket rezoning. It is in force again.

What you can build in R-C2

Permitted (the rules below still apply):

Contextual single detached house
Contextual semi-detached house
Secondary suite

Needs City approval (decided case by case):

Single detached house
Semi-detached house
Duplex
Backyard suite

R-C2 rules at a glance

Building height	8.6 m, up to 10 m if the neighbouring houses are taller Height is contextual: the greater of 8.6 m, or 1.5 m above the neighbouring building context, capped at 10.0 m. In practice 8.6 m is achievable on any lot; 10.0 m is possible where taller neighbours set the context. (s.438)
Parcel coverage	45%
Front setback	Based on the neighbouring houses: their average less 1.5 m, and at least 3 m
Side setback	1.2 m. 3 m on one side if there's no lane and no attached front or side garage
Rear setback	7.5 m
Minimum parcel area	180 m² Minimum parcel area ranges from 180 m² to 400 m² depending on dwelling type and subdivision. 180 m² is the conservative floor; confirm the figure for your specific use.
Maximum dwelling units	2 per parcel
Minimum parking	2 stalls per unit Duplex: 1/unit; Semi-detached house: 1/unit · 1 per secondary/backyard suite

Common R-C2 permit mistakes

A duplex or semi-detached needs a lot at least 13 m wide. A single detached house only needs 7.5 m, so narrower lots can't be split into two.
The house and garage together can cover at most 45% of the lot, less 21 m² for each parking stall not in a garage. In older, established neighbourhoods, an open front porch doesn't count.
Front setback can be up to 1.5 m closer than the neighbouring houses' average, but never under 3.0 m.
Eaves and other overhangs can eat into the 1.2 m side setback.

Notes

Deleted by 21P2024 effective January 1, 2025, then restored by Bylaw 9P2026 effective August 4, 2026. This district is in force again.
Permitted uses are the contextual forms only — Contextual Single Detached (s.425.1.b) and Contextual Semi-detached (s.425.1.a.1). Plain Single Detached, plain Semi-detached and Duplex Dwelling need City approval (s.426.1).
Parcel width: 7.5 m for SFD; 13.0 m for semi-detached/duplex (s.429).
Parcel coverage is a flat 45.0 % (s.432), reduced 21 m² per required stall not in a garage. An unenclosed front porch meeting s.339.1 is exempt from parcel coverage; a garage is not.
Front setback is contextual (s.435).
A Secondary Suite is a permitted use (s.425.1.f.1). A Backyard Suite needs City approval (s.426.1.a.2).

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Bylaw sections: Purpose (s.424), Permitted uses (s.425), Parcel width (s.429), Parcel coverage (s.432), Front setback (s.435), Side setback (s.436), Rear setback (s.437), Height (s.438). Read the live City of Calgary bylaw for this district →

Related Calgary districts

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Digitized from the City of Calgary Land Use Bylaw 1P2007 as amended (incl. Bylaw 9P2026, effective August 4, 2026). Amest is not the City of Calgary, a planning authority, or a law firm. Preliminary information only — confirm with the City and a qualified professional before buying or building.