The City is exploring a change to residential land use regulations that would allow up to four homes on one residential lot in more areas across Airdrie. This proposal does not change zoning districts, rather it introduces a land use regulation that would apply consistently across the city.

July 23, 2026 
Inspire - Presenters Space 
805 Main Street S, Airdrie

Join us to learn more about the proposed four homes on a lot initiative and share your feedback with City staff. Each session includes a short presentation from the City’s Planning and Affordable Housing departments, followed by small group discussions with subject matter experts.

Participants are asked to register for one of the following scheduled seatings (please sign up for one session only). 

Register for the 5:30 p.m. seating 

Register for the 6:30 p.m. seating 

Register for the 7:30 p.m. seating 

This in-person workshop gives residents an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed “four homes on a lot” concept. Input gathered at the workshop will be combined with results from the online survey and presented to Council.

The online survey received a strong response, with approximately 2,700 submissions. Staff are currently analyzing the data and preparing a summary of the findings.

Early review shows that many respondents raised concerns about parking availability, infrastructure capacity and potential impacts on neighbourhood character. Some also noted the need for more housing options but expressed uncertainty about whether four homes on a lot would address that need. The workshop will also provide an opportunity for residents to hear directly from staff about these topics.

Currently, many residential areas already allow up to three homes per lot (for example: a semi-detached, a basement suite and a garage suite). Changing to four homes would allow for one additional home on a lot.

This is often called flexible zoning or gentle density. It is not the same as building high-rises or turning neighbourhoods into apartment districts.

We're exploring this because it can help Airdrie:

• Offer more housing choices for residents at different life stages and budgets
• Support affordability by adding more options like suites, duplexes, fourplexes and townhomes 
• Use existing infrastructure more effectively (roads, pipes, parks, emergency services) instead of requiring new infrastructure on the edge of the city
• Protect farmland and natural areas by reducing urban sprawl
• Access federal funding that is linked to zoning that allows up to four homes per lot

Allowing up to four homes on a lot can look different depending on the property and design rules. Examples can include:

• Neighbourhood character
  Any new homes would still need to follow zoning and design rules. These rules can include limits on height, building size, setbacks and how much of a lot can be built on. The intent is not to dramatically change the look or feel of neighbourhoods, but to allow housing that fits the street and surrounding homes.
• Parking and traffic
  Parking requirements and design standards would continue to apply. 
• Property values and safety
  Some residents worry that additional housing types could affect property values or neighbourhood safety. Research from other Canadian cities shows no consistent link between gentle density and declining home values or increased crime. 
• Airdrie's housing stock
  In communities like Airdrie, most homes are relatively new. Because of this, redevelopment tends to happen slowly and only in a small number of areas where older homes and lot conditions make it practical or economical. Many existing neighbourhoods can likely expect little to no change within the next generation. 

• Millions in federal funding is tied to enabling four homes per lot by the end of 2026.