Secondary Suites & ADUs
Questions about secondary suites, backyard suites, garden suites, and rental conversions in Calgary under Alberta regulations
Does ENMAX charge extra to add a separate meter for a basement suite or can you just split the bill?
ENMAX does charge for installing a separate meter for a basement suite, but many homeowners find it worthwhile for the long-term benefits of separate...
Is it worth adding a secondary kitchen in the basement for a legal suite in Marda Loop, or does that trigger full suite permitting?
Adding a secondary kitchen in your Marda Loop basement will absolutely trigger full secondary suite permitting requirements — there's no way around th...
Since Calgary changed the secondary suite zoning rules, can we add a basement suite in Woodbine without rezoning?
Yes, you can add a basement suite in Woodbine without rezoning. Calgary's blanket rezoning to the Residential Grade-Oriented (R-CG) district allows se...
My neighbor built a backyard suite 3 feet from the lane - I thought R-CG required a 5-foot setback. Who do I call?
Your neighbor may be violating Calgary's setback requirements for backyard suites, which typically require a minimum 1.5-meter (5-foot) setback from t...
What's the timeline for getting a secondary suite permit approved in Calgary? I've heard it's 6-8 weeks minimum?
Secondary suite permits in Calgary typically take 6-12 weeks for approval, with your 6-8 week estimate being on the optimistic side for most applicati...
Adding a 400 sq ft suite above my garage in Legacy - does it count toward the 85 sq m backyard suite limit?
Yes, a 400 sq ft (37 sq m) suite above your garage would count toward Calgary's 85 sq m (915 sq ft) backyard suite limit, and you'd be well within the...
How do you properly vent a bathroom exhaust fan in a basement suite to meet code in Calgary without cutting through the roof?
Basement bathroom exhaust fans must vent directly to the exterior through a wall or window well — never into the basement ceiling, attic space, or thr...
My basement suite tenant says the ceiling is only 6'9 - can I get retroactive approval, or do I need to dig down?
Your basement suite likely doesn't meet current Alberta Building Code requirements and cannot get retroactive approval. The minimum ceiling height for...
Can I convert my detached garage into a laneway suite in Sunnyside, or are there flood restrictions?
Converting a detached garage to a laneway suite in Sunnyside is technically possible under Calgary's zoning rules, but flood restrictions will likely...
Can you put a secondary suite in a bi-level house, or does the ceiling height not meet code?
Yes, you can absolutely put a secondary suite in a bi-level house in Calgary, and ceiling height is typically not an issue. Most bi-level homes built...
How to soundproof a basement suite in a new build for rental income in Mahogany?
Soundproofing a basement suite in your new Mahogany home requires proper planning during construction to meet Alberta Building Code requirements and c...
Adding a secondary suite to my 1960s split-level in Parkland - do I need a separate furnace, or can I zone the existing one?
You can typically zone your existing furnace for a secondary suite in a 1960s split-level, but you'll need to upgrade your system to handle the additi...