A secondary suite is a self-contained living space consisting of a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen located within or on the same property as a single family home.
Secondary suites are not permitted in many areas of Calgary. This has worsened the housing availability and affordability crisis in our city. All other major Canadian municipalities permit secondary suites in all residential neighbourhoods, including: Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver and Red Deer.
Before developing a secondary suite or bringing an existing suite up to code, applicants will first need to determine:
- Are secondary suites allowed in the area?
- Is the property large enough?
- Can the home be renovated to meet the necessary building code standards?
For more information, check out the City of Calgary’s Secondary Suite website.