Calgary homeowner accuses City of double standard over renovation

CALGARY – A woman who widened her driveway by two metres has been told to tear it out, even though she claims other homeowners with similar work don’t face penalties.

When Constance Craig learned her grandmother would be spending more time at her home, she decided to widen her driveway to help her get in and out of the house and car safely.

She hired a contractor to add a one-metre wide concrete walkway on either side of the driveway, but someone complained to the City of Calgary. Because she didn’t apply for a work permit, she said she was ordered to take it out.

“I had talked to both of my neighbours and none of them had an issue with what I was doing,” Craig said. “The contractor never knew about a permit. I didn’t actually know I needed a permit.”

The City has been cracking down on driveway bylaws because of the Uni-Drive phenomenon, when homeowners cover their entire front yard with concrete for extra parking.

Cliff De Jong with the Calgary Building Development Department says it affects drainage and restricts street parking.

“Her lot, as I understand it, is seven-and-a-half-metres,” De Jong said. “So going beyond that is still an infraction, and of course, we will entertain a small relaxation.”

Constance applied for a relaxation, saying the widening is for disabled access.

The City backed down, allowing her to keep one strip of concrete along one side of the driveway, at her choice.

But she says the bylaw enforcement is inconsistent, pointing to other driveway extensions like hers that have been allowed.

“The biggest issue that I have is that these have been given to other people–relaxations for exactly what I have–they have given to other people,” Craig said.

The City says every case is judged on its own, and not compared to other examples.

Bylaw officers don’t have time to look for violations and can only respond to complaints.

Craig plans to appeal her case despite the $2,000 cost.

The City says this also highlights the problem surrounding building permits, since many homeowners don’t know what they need permits for.

For tips on what renovations need building permits, click here.

The most common mistakes involve driveway work, backyard decks and retaining walls and basement developments.

If you’re unsure, call the City, who says in the end, it’s the homeowners’ responsibility.