Glenbrook builds more semi-detached homes than any other community in Calgary's West sector, and its new houses are the smallest there. City of Calgary open data on permits issued from January 2023 to 29 September 2026 shows 43 new semis, a quarter of the sector's total, against 10 new single-detached houses with a median of 1,918 sq ft. Glenbrook also led the West in permits altering existing space into a suite, with 20.
Key takeaways
- Glenbrook's 43 semi-detached permits were 25.4% of the West sector's 169, ahead of Rosscarrock's 31.
- Glenbrook had 4.3 new semis for every new house, and semis peaked at 17 in 2024 and 14 in 2025.
- All 10 new houses were between 1,500 and 2,499 sq ft on the permit, and their median of 1,918 sq ft was the smallest in the West sector.
- Glenbrook's 20 permits altering existing space into a suite were the most in the West, 12.6% of the sector's 159.
- Glenbrook's five backyard suites took a median 24 days to issue, tied for the fastest of 26 communities with a median.
- In 2019, Glenbrook's dwellings split almost evenly: 27% single-detached, 22% duplex, 22% townhouse and 23% apartment.
What is Glenbrook building?
Mostly pairs. Semi-detached permits ran 6 in 2023, 17 in 2024, 14 in 2025 and 6 through 29 September 2026. Rowhouse and townhouse permits picked up too, from 2 in each of 2023 and 2024 to 10 in 2025 and 7 so far in 2026.
| Project | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 to date | Total | Share of Calgary | Median declared value | Median days to issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New single-detached houses | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0.1% | $325,990 | 48 days |
| New semi-detached houses | 6 | 17 | 14 | 6 | 43 | 0.8% | $242,251 | 34 days |
| New rowhouses and townhouses | 2 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 0.9% | $792,584 | 106 days |
| Secondary suites, new construction (City work class New) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0.3% | $64,624 | 37 days |
| Secondary suites, alteration of existing space | 4 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 20 | 0.3% | $57,638 | 18.5 days |
| Backyard suites | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1.0% | $137,704 | 24 days |
| Additions | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0.3% | $211,476 | 50 days |
| Detached garages | 10 | 21 | 20 | 8 | 59 | 0.6% | $38,576 | 32 days |
| Basement developments | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 0.2% | $29,875 | 12 days |
| Renovations | 22 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 55 | 0.6% | $12,000 | 16 days |
| Decks | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.2% | $5,637 | 60 days |
Permits issued, excluding cancelled ones. "Share of Calgary" is this community's part of the citywide count for the same project type and years. Declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It is not a quote and runs below real costs. Medians are shown only where a category has at least 5 permits. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.
Semis took a median 34 days to issue and had a median declared value of $242,251. Rowhouses took 106 days, at a median of $792,584 per permit. New houses took 48 days. All of those are applicants' figures from the permit, and real construction costs run higher.
Garages were the most common single permit, at 59, and renovations came next at 55. The five additions carried a median declared value of $211,476, the third highest of 58 communities, so when Glenbrook owners add on, they declare a big job. The home addition cost guide has real 2026 costs.
Why are Glenbrook's new houses smaller?
The permits show the sizes, not the reason. Of the 10 new single-detached houses, 7 were between 1,500 and 1,999 sq ft and 3 between 2,000 and 2,499. None reached 2,500 sq ft.
| Floor area on the permit | Houses |
|---|---|
| Under 1,500 sq ft | 0 |
| 1,500 to 1,999 sq ft | 7 |
| 2,000 to 2,499 sq ft | 3 |
| 2,500 to 2,999 sq ft | 0 |
| 3,000 sq ft and over | 0 |
The floor area the applicant entered on the building permit, for new single-detached houses issued in the same window. It usually excludes the basement. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.
That puts Glenbrook's median of 1,918 sq ft below every other West community with house sizes, and below 96 of the 101 communities citywide with a median. With only 10 houses, no single year had enough for its own median. If you're planning a house here around that size, the custom home cost guide and the bedroom size page help you decide where the square footage goes.
How common are suites in Glenbrook?
More common than anywhere else in the West. Owners took out 20 permits to alter existing space into a suite, peaking at 9 in 2025, and 6 more for suites built as new construction, the City's New work class, which can be in a new or an existing house. The alteration permits took a median 18.5 days to issue.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Development permit applications (all types, since 2023) | 178 |
| Decided so far: approved / refused | 139 / 1 |
| Median days from application to decision | 61 days |
| Secondary suite development permit applications | 17 |
| Suites on the City's secondary suite registry (all years) | 165 |
| Added to the registry 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 to date | 13, 16, 28, 32 |
| Districts with the most development permit applications | R-CG (71), R-C2 (39), H-GO (21), R-C1 (14) |
Development permits applied for from 1 January 2023; many home projects in Calgary need only a building permit, so these are a subset of all work. The registry lists suites the City has confirmed meet the rules, not every suite that exists. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.
The five backyard suites, two in 2024 and three in 2025, were quick to issue at a median 24 days, and declared high, at a median $137,704, fourth highest of 26 communities. The registry lists 165 Glenbrook suites, with 32 added through 29 September 2026, already more than the 28 added in all of 2025.
Seventeen of Glenbrook's 178 development permit applications were for suites. As of October 2026, a secondary suite is a permitted use in R-C2 and R-CG, a backyard suite is discretionary in both, and a lot can hold one suite, not both; the backyard suites guide has the details.
Who lives in Glenbrook?
A spread of household types in a spread of homes. The 2021 census counted 7,240 people in 3,160 households, averaging 2.3 people, with 33% of households one person.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2021 census) | 7,240 |
| Households (2021 census) | 3,160 |
| Average household size | 2.3000000000000003 |
| One-person households | 33% |
| Households of five or more | 7% |
| Residents aged 0 to 14 / 65 and over | 19% / 12% |
| Dwellings (2019 civic census) | 3,337 |
| Single-detached | 891 (27%) |
| Duplex | 750 (22%) |
| Townhouse | 720 (22%) |
| Apartment | 762 (23%) |
| Owner-occupied | 1,596 (48%) |
Population and household figures are from the 2021 Census of Canada as published by the City of Calgary; dwelling types are from the City's 2019 civic census, the last one it ran. Newer communities have grown since. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.
The 2019 civic census counted 891 single-detached dwellings, 750 duplex units, 720 townhouses and 762 apartments among 3,337 dwellings. Only 7 of the 87 communities profiled here had a lower single-detached share, and 48% of Glenbrook's dwellings were owner-occupied. Duplexes and townhouses together made up 44% of homes, so a new semi fits the mix that's already here.
What land use covers Glenbrook?
Mostly low-density residential. R-C2 covers 37.1% of Glenbrook's districted area, R-C1 19.9% and M-C1, a multi-residential district, 17.4%. Multi-residential districts cover 18.5% in all and commercial districts 8.2%, the latter mainly C-C2 at 4.3%.
| District | Share of the community's area |
|---|---|
| R-C2 | 37.1% |
| R-C1 | 19.9% |
| M-C1 | 17.4% |
| S-SPR | 6.4% |
| C-C2 | 4.3% |
The share of the community's districted area in each land use district, from the City's district and community boundary maps intersected exactly. Districts change by lot and by amendment: check a specific lot on the City's land use map before you plan. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.
Development permit applications named R-CG 71 times, R-C2 39 times, H-GO 21 times and R-C1 14 times. R-CG covers 2% of Glenbrook's area or less, yet it drew the most applications, so a small set of lots is carrying a lot of the redevelopment. Check your parcel's district on the City's land use map before you design.
Walking a Glenbrook semi at full size
A 1,900 sq ft house or one side of a semi leaves no slack, so every room's size is a trade against the next one. On the studio's walkable LED floor, the plan is lit at full size with room names and dimension lines, and you can stand in the kitchen and check whether the island leaves enough room to open the dishwasher while someone walks past. A dining table, chairs, sofas and freestanding walls can be moved into place, and elevations go up on a wall-size screen behind the floor.
Changes appear on the floor straight away, and the session is recorded for you. Send the plans as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead. The quote is free and based on the plan's size: see pricing, book a session, or go back to the communities hub.
Questions
How many semi-detached homes are built in Glenbrook?
The City issued 43 new semi-detached permits in Glenbrook from January 2023 to 29 September 2026, the most of any West sector community. That's 4.3 semis for every new single-detached house.
How big are new houses in Glenbrook?
New single-detached houses in Glenbrook had a median of 1,918 sq ft on the permit, the smallest in the West sector. All 10 were between 1,500 and 2,499 sq ft.
How long does a backyard suite permit take in Glenbrook?
Glenbrook's five backyard suite building permits took a median 24 days to issue, tied for the fastest of the 26 communities with a median. A backyard suite there is still a discretionary use as of October 2026, so it needs a development permit first.
How long does a development permit take in Glenbrook?
A development permit in Glenbrook took a median 61 days from application to decision for applications made since January 2023. Of 140 decided, 139 were approved.
Is Glenbrook mostly houses?
No. In 2019 only 27% of Glenbrook's 3,337 dwellings were single-detached. Duplexes, townhouses and apartments each made up about 22% to 23%.
Sources
- City of Calgary open data: building permits data.calgary.ca
- City of Calgary open data: development permits data.calgary.ca
- City of Calgary open data: secondary suite registry data.calgary.ca
- City of Calgary open data: community boundaries data.calgary.ca
- City of Calgary open data: census 2021 population data.calgary.ca
- City of Calgary open data: census 2021 households data.calgary.ca
- City of Calgary open data: civic census 2019 data.calgary.ca
- City of Calgary open data: land use districts data.calgary.ca
- land use map maps.calgary.ca
