We want to add a kitchenette to our basement suite in Killarney. Does that trigger commercial kitchen codes or just residential?

A basement suite kitchenette in Calgary falls under residential codes, not commercial kitchen requirements. Since you're creating a secondary suite within your single-family home, this remains a residential application under the Alberta Building Code.

For your Killarney basement suite kitchenette, you'll need to meet residential secondary suite requirements under Calgary's Land Use Bylaw and the Alberta Building Code. The kitchenette must include basic cooking facilities (stove/cooktop, refrigerator space, sink, and counter space), but there are no commercial ventilation, fire suppression, or health department requirements like you'd see in a restaurant or commercial kitchen.

Key requirements for your basement suite kitchenette include proper electrical circuits (dedicated 20-amp circuits for kitchen appliances), GFCI protection at countertop outlets, adequate lighting, and mechanical ventilation. The suite must have its own electrical panel or subpanel, and all electrical work requires permits and inspection by accredited Safety Codes Officers under the Safety Codes Council of Alberta. If you're adding plumbing for the kitchen sink, that also requires a plumbing permit and inspection.

Calgary's secondary suite regulations require the basement suite to have a separate entrance, egress windows in bedrooms, fire separation between the suite and main house (typically 1/2" drywall to the underside of the main floor subfloor), interconnected smoke alarms throughout both units, and minimum 1.95m (6'5") ceiling height. The kitchenette is just one component of making the space legally compliant as a secondary suite.

Building permit requirements depend on the scope of work. If you're just installing appliances and cabinets in an already-finished basement, you may only need electrical and plumbing permits. However, if this is part of a larger basement development or suite creation, you'll need a full building permit. The City of Calgary requires a development permit for secondary suites, which you can apply for at calgaryplanningpermit.ca.

Next steps: Contact the City of Calgary at 311 to confirm permit requirements for your specific project scope, and hire licensed electrical and plumbing contractors for any rough-in work. The permitting process typically takes 2-4 weeks for straightforward basement suite applications.