FAQ: 2018 property/business assessments and Customer Review Period

On January 4, 2018, The City mailed over half a million property and business assessment notices. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the process and how it may affect you.

Where can I find my property’s assessed value?

You can find the assessed value of your property or any other Calgary property online using Assessment Search. You do not have to log in to search for assessed values, however, for more detailed information (including your previous year's assessment, your tax information and specific property details) you can log into Assessment Search using your City myID account.

For more information on how to use Assessment Search, see the help guides for property owners and business owners.

How is my property assessed?

Your property assessment notice sent in January is based on your property’s market value, the amount it likely would have sold for last July 1, and improvements to its physical condition as of Dec. 31.

Assessors look at many factors including your property’s details such as age, location, lot size, additions or renovations and sales of similar properties in the neighbourhood in the last three years.

Your assessed property value goes through internal checks and balances and a provincial audit before the notice is mailed to you in early January.

What if I don’t agree with the assessed value?

If you have any questions or concerns about your assessment, contact Assessment at 403-268-2888 during the Customer Review Period from Jan. 4 to March 12, 2018.

Your assessor may be able to resolve your concerns without the need to file a formal complaint.

Changes can only be made to your 2018 property assessment if you inquire about it during the Customer Review Period.

Changes cannot be made to your tax bill mailed at the end of May.

If you still disagree with your assessment, visit the Assessment Review Board for more information and/or to file a complaint online.

Formal complaints with the Assessment Review Board can only be made between Jan. 4 and March 12, 2018.

How does my assessment affect my property taxes?

Your property assessment is used to determine your share of taxes, relative to all properties in Calgary, to meet The City's budget needs.

Once Council has set the tax rate, your assessment is then multiplied by the tax rate and the result is your share of property tax shown on your tax bill.

Assessments are based on the fair market value of your property last July 1. Real estate data on all properties sold in Calgary in the previous three years are analyzed. Your individual assessment comes from the analysis of sold properties in your neighbourhood that are very similar to yours.

Your property tax can change from year to year if your property’s assessed value increases or decreases greater than the change in the overall assessment base or if additional revenue is needed by The City to provide services.

You can search for your current property assessment using Assessment Search.

Learn how your property is assessed.

More information

Where can I get more information?

If you have questions about property tax, contact 311.
For tax related FAQs, visit Property tax and assessment Frequently asked questions
You can learn more budget, assessment and taxes at calgary.ca/ourfinances.
Assessment information – calgary.ca/assessment
Property tax information – calgary.ca/propertytax
Tax Instalment Payment Plan (TIPP) – calgary.ca/TIPP
Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) – calgary.ca/ptap

MyProperty map re-launches today

We’ve improved calgary.ca/myproperty, a one-stop shop for Calgary property details, including ward, community, development and building permit information. It’s now mobile-friendly, easy to use and accessible.

What else is new?

• Land use re-designations link directly to calgary.ca/pdmap status information
• Land use designation information
• Links to City planning policies

In the next few months, we’ll be adding property assessment values.

Visit calgary.ca/myproperty to find out more.

Skip a secondary suite step – Development Permit exemption

Secondary suites are commonly referred to 

as basement suites, but can be on the main 

floor or an attached garage.

If you’re interested in developing a secondary suite in your home, there is no better time than now. The City of Calgary is waving the Development Permit application and fees for homes that are zoned for suites, and that meet all the requirements of the Land Use Bylaw – commonly referred to as a basement suite. The Development Permit exemption runs until March 3, 2017.

The exemption is part of The City’s efforts to make it less expensive, faster and easier to obtain approval to develop a secondary suite in your home. Suites that have been inspected to meet Alberta’s Safety Codes help ensure public protection, and provide people the ability to escape in the event of an emergency, like a fire.

If you’re interested in learning more or if you want to determine if your property is a candidate for the permit exemption, enter your address on calgary.ca/secondarysuites, or contact our Planning Services Call Centre at (403) 268 5311 for assistance.

Calgary safety codes officers lend a hand after flood waters hit Chestermere

For City of Calgary safety codes officers Michael Kennelly and Vernon Durkee, a typical day at work means inspecting construction projects to ensure safety and compliance with the Alberta Building Code.

But last month, they used their skills and knowledge in a different way to help residents in Chestermere after torrential rain and hail flooded hundreds of homes.

City of Calgary Safety Codes Officer Michael Kennelly

The City of Chestermere offered free safety inspections to residents, and Kennelly and Durkee volunteered to assist - visiting an estimated 40 homes over the course of two days. They were checking the extent of flood damage and offering advice to homeowners, including structural issues, mould, wet drywall and more.

“It felt great to help out a fellow municipality in a time of need,” says Kennelly. “The flooding in Chestermere was traumatic for everyone involved. People were at their most vulnerable point; emotions and fear were running high. It was wonderful to be able to be there and to reassure people about what comes next, and that maybe the damage to their home wasn’t as bad as they feared.”

Durkee and Kennelly said that most of the damage to the homes they inspected was minimal, and their advice included ripping out drenched carpet and replacing drywall.

“We used what others at The City of Calgary learned during our flood and applied it to help people in Chestermere,” says Durkee.

The Safety Codes Council of Alberta granted Kennelly and Durkee temporary designation to assist Chestermere, as normally they are only certified to complete inspections in Calgary. Funding for The City of Calgary to help during an event of this magnitude is typically covered by the Disaster Recovery Program through the province of Alberta.

“Working with The City of Chestermere was fantastic,” says Kennelly. “The gratitude we experienced was immense. It was also amazing for training purposes. I’m a fairly new safety codes officer, and it was great to learn about how other municipalities do things.”

Chestermere Deputy Mayor Christopher Steeves says the storms experienced in July had a massive impact on many residents.

“Our community is very resilient,” Steeves says. “We have been working hard to do everything we can to help our citizens get back on their feet after the flooding. We appreciate the support we received from our neighbours and partners at The City of Calgary during this challenging time and would like to pass on our thanks for their assistance.”

In addition to sending safety inspectors to Chestermere, The City of Calgary also allowed Chestermere to use Calgary landfills for flood-damaged items at a reduced rate through Chestermere’s collection bins.

In the past, The City of Calgary has assisted in many ways with emergency operations during disasters in Slave Lake and High River.

More information about flood recovery:
Calgary: calgary.ca/floodrecovery
Chestermere: chestermere.ca/floodsupport

2015 Assessment Notices mailed; 60 day customer review period begins

Today The City of Calgary will mail over half a million property and business assessment notices and marks the beginning of the 60-day Customer Review Period.



“We are committed to delivering fair and equitable assessments and encourage all property and business owners to carefully review their assessment and contact us during the Customer Review Period if you have any questions or concerns,” said Nelson Karpa, Director/City Assessor.

Changes to the 2015 assessments can only be made if an inquiry is received during the Customer Review Period which runs from Jan. 5 to March 6, 2015.

The 2015 median single residential assessment is $475,000 compared to $430,000 in 2014. The 2015 median residential condominium assessment is $290,000 compared to $260,000 in 2014.

As required by provincial legislation, the 2015 property assessments reflect the market value of property as of July 1, 2014 and the physical condition as of Dec. 31, 2014. The 2015 business assessments reflect the typical net annual rental value of premises as of July 1, 2014.

The Assessment Search website (calgary.ca/assessmentsearch) offers tools and resources to help property and business owners review their 2015 assessment. The Assessment Notice provides a unique Access Code to securely log in to Assessment Search.

Accessory units and affordable housing in a growing city

Many people in Calgary consider our city as world class, modern, having taken our place in the world of great places. Yet, one of the challenges for many Calgarians is having an affordable place to live.

Will breaking down the barriers to accessory units solve our housing challenges? No. But it can play a big role towards a comprehensive solution. YYC has made gains, and a simple change, waiving the $5,000 processing fees has generated a big up-tick in applications and legalization of some our unknown illegal units.



We all have a role to play in educating everyone about the potential to have an ongoing supply of accessory units that can go a long way to making this city, a place that offers everyone the opportunity to live in safe, affordable places so that they can establish themselves and provide the knowledge, skills and creativity to keep growing this city.

Read the full blog written by Rollin Stanley, General Manager of Planning, Development And Assessment at The City Of Calgary.

Proposed Amendments to the Municipal Government Act Review Submitted to the Government of Alberta

The City of Calgary’s formal submission of its proposed amendments to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) is now with the Government of Alberta for consideration.

The MGA is the most important piece of legislation for municipalities because it outlines how every municipality in Alberta operates, how municipal councils function, how municipalities serve citizens, and how citizens work with their municipalities. The MGA has not had a formal review since it was enacted in 1994.

The review has focused on the three main areas of the MGA including:
• Governance and Administration
• Planning and Development
• Assessment and Taxation

The City’s proposed amendments reflect changes that will enable Calgary and other Alberta municipalities to improve their operational efficiency and service to citizens, while meeting their mandate of providing good government, necessary and desirable services and facilities, and developing and maintaining safe and viable communities.

While The City hopes the proposed amendments to the MGA will ensure modern and effective legislation is in place for municipalities for years to come, they cannot necessarily address all of the challenges that are specific to a city of Calgary’s size. It is for this reason that The City looks forward to resuming discussions with the Government of Alberta on tailoring a City Charter that will be unique for each of its two largest cities – Calgary and Edmonton. A Charter for each of these municipalities would offer them broader flexibility and authority in areas of their own governance.

“We are encouraging the Government of Alberta to consider our recommendations, and to resume discussions on the Charters as soon as possible,” says Mayor Nenshi. “The Calgary Charter will forge a new relationship between The City and the province and will enhance our ability to meet the needs of the citizens we serve.”

Visit the MGA Review website for more information on the Municipal Government Act and its review process.

To see the proposed amendments to the MGA submitted by The City of Calgary, please visit: http://www.calgary.ca/CA/cmo/Pages/Reports-and-Submissions.aspx

Citizens encouraged to provide input for Municipal Government Act review

The Government of Alberta is undertaking a review of the most important piece of legislation for municipalities – the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The MGA outlines how every municipality in Alberta operates, how municipal councils function, how municipalities serve citizens, and how citizens work with their municipalities.

This review will focus on three main areas:
• Governance and Administration
• Planning and Development
• Assessment and Taxation

Although the MGA has been previously amended in response to new trends and issues, this is the first comprehensive review of the legislation since 1995. Since then, Calgary has grown tremendously and now faces a variety of challenges and opportunities that didn’t exist before. The goal of this review is to ensure modern and effective legislation is in place for municipalities, citizens and businesses in Alberta.

The City of Calgary will participate in the MGA review and the Government of Alberta’s consultations being held in Calgary from April 9 to 11.

Calgarians are also encouraged to participate in this important process.
To provide your input in person, attend the public open house on April 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in Calgary (6620 36 Street N.E.).

Visit the MGA review website to register for the open house session, or find other ways to get involved online. Registration preferred, although not mandatory, for the open house.

Planning and Development customers weigh in on their customer service experience

The City of Calgary’s Planning and Development services is focused on working with customers and businesses to build a great city. Customer service is at the core of our business. Our interactions with customers’ guide how we work together to plan, develop and protect the dynamic city we live in.

Every two years we survey our customers to assess if we are meeting their needs and identify areas for improvement.

We are proud to report that customers feel that Planning and Development services are:

•         Committed to quality customer service delivery
•         Helping to make our city safer
•         Providing quality input and feedback on applications

 The infographic below outlines some of the key findings from the 2013 Planning and Development Customer Satisfaction Survey. 

Statistics above are from 2012 and include the interactions customers were surveyed about.

Through programs such as nextCITY, we are working to continually improve our processes and access to services to meet the demands of a growing, thriving city. If you would like to share input about working with The City’s Planning & Development services, please visit calgary.ca/evoice. 

Report to Calgarians - nextCITY

Calgary is now well over one million people strong, together we're learning how to become a big city.

You can be part of the future of initiatives aimed at taking Calgary to the next level in its evolution.

To learn more please visit: http://calgary.ca/nextcity 

Inside the Big Blue Building: Assessment

City of Calgary Assessors are trained professionals who prepare, communicate and defend nearly half a million Business and Property Assessments on an annual basis. 

On this episode of Inside the Big Blue Building we head to Calgary's Assessment H.Q. where an Assessor takes us through the process from start to finish.

The Customer Review period runs through March 4, 2014. Please visit Calgary.ca/AssessmentSearch for more information. 

2014 Assessment Notices are mailed & Customer Review period begins

Today, The City mailed 2014 Assessment Notices to approximately half a million property and business owners.

The typical single residential property in Calgary is now assessed at $430,000, while the typical residential condominium is assessed at $260,000.

“Overall, we’re seeing a steady and consistent growth in the market between 2013 and 2014,” says Nelson Karpa, City Assessor.

Property assessments reflect the market value of property on July 1, 2013 and the physical condition as of December 31, 2013. The 2014 business assessments reflect the typical net annual rental value of premises as of July 1, 2013.

The June 2013 flood required special consideration by City Assessors. "Staff used aerial imaging, on-site visual inspections and communication with property owners to identify the properties physically impacted by this event”, says Karpa. “From there, we analyzed market activity and reviewed the physical condition of affected properties to determine any changes caused by the flood as of the December 31 physical condition date.”

As a result of this analysis, 1,939 property assessment accounts have been identified to-date as experiencing a market value reduction, at approximately $405 million, due to the flood.

“We are committed to delivering fair and equitable assessments and encourage all property and business owners to use the Customer Review Period to check, review and compare their assessment and to get their questions answered,” says Karpa.

The Customer Review Period runs until March 4.

The Assessment Search website at calgary.ca/assessmentsearch offers tools and resources to help property and business owners review their 2014 assessment.

If customers wish to discuss their assessment further, they're encouraged to contact Assessment at 403-268-2888.