Cross-Country Policy

BC Bill 44 vs. Alberta Infill Zoning: A Cross-Country Comparison

AsOfRight Planning Desk · October 19, 2026 · 1 min read

British Columbia legislated small-scale multi-unit housing provincewide; Calgary and Edmonton got there through municipal rezoning. What it means for lot screening.

Canada's two western growth provinces arrived at similar outcomes — more homes on ordinary residential lots — by very different routes.

British Columbia: provincial mandate

• Bill 44 (2023) requires municipalities over 5,000 people to permit small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) on most single-family and duplex lots.
• Generally 3 units on lots up to 280 m², 4 units on larger lots, and up to 6 units near frequent transit.
• Bill 46 (2023) reshaped development cost charges, and Bill 47 created Transit-Oriented Areas around SkyTrain and bus exchanges.

Alberta: municipal rezoning

• Calgary's 2024 citywide rezoning made Residential – Grade-Oriented Infill (R-CG) the base district for most residential lots.
• Edmonton's new Zoning Bylaw 20001 (2024) introduced the RS small-scale residential zone, allowing up to eight units on many lots.
• Rules are set by each city's by-law, so lot width, coverage and height still vary.

What it means for screening lots

In BC, the first question is lot area and transit distance. In Calgary and Edmonton, it's the zone code and lot frontage. Either way, bulk screening beats checking addresses one at a time.

General information, not legal or planning advice. Confirm current rules with your municipality and a licensed professional.