Summary#

Calgary City Council approved the Planning and Development Services Department Overview on the consent agenda on July 28, 2026, and received it for the corporate record. This records a financial overview of the department’s 2023–2025 budgets and spending; it does not approve a new program or a fee increase. City staff say the report’s goal is to help Council understand budget trends and variances.

• The report covers a department that provides planning, permitting, inspection, licensing and related services.
• It says development and permitting fees have not increased since 2016, and that increases will be needed from 2027 through 2030 to maintain current service levels and meet demand. Council did not approve those increases in this decision.
• The report says the department’s net operating budget rose from $78.1 million in 2023 to $104.1 million in 2025.

What it means for you#

• Calgarians and businesses: This decision does not directly change fees, service levels, application rules or processing timelines.
• Council and City staff: Council has received the report as a record of departmental financial performance. The decision does not direct staff to take further action.
• Taxpayers and fee payers: The report describes how the department’s work is funded, but this decision does not change that funding.

Money#

Receiving the report has no immediate financial impact, according to City staff.

• The report says the department’s 2026 capital budget is $65.9 million.
• City staff say development and permitting fees will need to increase from 2027 through 2030 to maintain current service levels and meet demand. This decision does not set the amount or approve a fee change.

What is unclear#

• The report does not specify the amount or timing of any future fee increases, or how they would be approved.
• It does not say how future fees would affect particular applicants or businesses.
• Council’s decision does not set a response to the service and capital-delivery risks identified in the report.

Case for#

• City staff say a consolidated account of budget results can help Council monitor spending and respond to financial pressures.
• The report identifies funding sources and variances, including the $61.1 million favourable tax-supported variance in 2024, which staff say was mainly because federal funding replaced planned City funding for the Downtown Office Conversion Program.

Case against#

• City staff say the approach of covering rising costs through higher-than-budgeted fee revenue and reserve withdrawals is not sustainable; fees have not increased since 2016.
• The report says capital spending was below budget in 2023–2025, partly because of project timing and delays. Staff warn that prolonged technology delays could mean less reliable systems, longer processing times and higher service costs.