Legal Suite Requirements Across Alberta Towns

Secondary suites—basement apartments, garden suites, and in-law suites—are increasingly popular in Alberta for rental income and multi-generational living. But regulations vary significantly by municipality. Here's what you need to know.

What Makes a Suite "Legal"?

A legal secondary suite must: 1. Meet zoning requirements for your property 2. Have proper permits (development and building) 3. Meet building code for safety and livability 4. Pass all inspections 5. Have required fire separation from main dwelling

An illegal suite has none of the above protections—for you or your tenants.

Alberta Building Code Requirements

These apply province-wide:

Ceiling Height

Minimum 6'8" (2.03m) in habitable rooms

Minimum 6'4" (1.95m) under beams and ducts

Bathroom minimums slightly lower

Egress Windows

Required in each bedroom

Minimum 3.77 sq ft opening

Maximum 1.5m from floor to sill

Must open fully and stay open

Fire Separation

45-minute fire separation between units

Self-closing doors where required

Interconnected smoke alarms

Fire-rated assemblies

HVAC Requirements

Separate or shared heating (varies)

Fresh air supply

Independent temperature control

Plumbing

Full bathroom minimum

Kitchen with sink, stove, fridge space

Hot water supply

Electrical

Separate panel or sub-panel

Adequate capacity

Arc fault protection

Smoke/CO detector circuits

City of Calgary Regulations

Zoning

Secondary suites allowed in most residential zones

No development permit needed in many areas (check specific zone)

One suite per property

Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied allowed

Requirements

Maximum 70 sq m (753 sq ft) or 25% of home, whichever is greater

Minimum one parking space for suite

Must meet building code

Fire separation required

Process

1. Check zoning (Calgary.ca) 2. Apply for building permit 3. Complete construction 4. Pass inspections 5. Receive occupancy

Costs

Permit fees: $500-1,500

Inspection fees included

No development permit fee in most zones

City of Airdrie Regulations

Zoning

Allowed in R-1, R-2, and some other zones

Development permit required

Must be in principal residence

Requirements

Maximum floor area: 40% of house or 80 sq m

One parking space for suite

Separate entrance (can be internal)

Meet all building code requirements

Process

1. Development permit application 2. Neighbor notification (10m radius) 3. Building permit 4. Construction and inspections 5. Final approval

Fees

Development permit: ~$500

Building permit: Based on value

Town of Cochrane Regulations

Zoning

Allowed in most residential zones

Development permit required

Must be owner-occupied property

Requirements

Maximum 75 sq m

Separate entrance

Parking requirements

Design must complement existing home

Additional Considerations

Cochrane has architectural guidelines in some areas

Water and sewer capacity reviewed

Neighbor notification required

Fees

Development permit: ~$400-600

Building permit: Based on scope

Town of Okotoks Regulations

Zoning

Allowed in specified residential zones

Development permit required

Owner occupancy requirements

Requirements

Must be accessory to principal dwelling

Size restrictions apply

Parking requirements

Full building code compliance

Unique Factors

Okotoks closely manages growth

May have waitlist or timing restrictions

Design review for exterior-access suites

Town of Strathmore Regulations

Zoning

Secondary suites permitted

Development permit required

Generally supportive of suites

Requirements

Standard provincial building code

Parking provisions

Size limitations

Fire separation

Notes

Growing town with rental demand

Generally faster permit processing

Check current bylaws for updates

Town of Chestermere Regulations

Zoning

Allowed with development permit

Most residential zones eligible

Lakefront properties may have restrictions

Requirements

Building code compliance

Parking requirements

Size restrictions

Exterior appearance considerations

Rocky View County Regulations

Zoning

Depends on specific land use district

Generally more restrictive on acreages

Check specific property zoning

Unique Considerations

Septic capacity must support additional load

Well water supply considerations

May require environmental assessment

Longer permit timelines typical

Comparison Summary

MunicipalityDP RequiredMax SizeOwner OccupyParking CalgaryUsually no70m² or 25%No1 space AirdrieYes80m² or 40%Yes1 space CochraneYes75m²YesVaries OkotoksYesVariesYesRequired StrathmoreYesVariesCheckRequired Rocky ViewYesVariesVariesRequired

Cost Considerations

Development Costs

Basic Suite (existing basement):

Framing and drywall: $8,000-12,000

Electrical: $4,000-6,000

Plumbing: $6,000-10,000

HVAC: $3,000-6,000

Kitchen: $8,000-15,000

Bathroom: $6,000-12,000

Flooring and finishing: $5,000-10,000

Total: $40,000-70,000

Full Legal Suite (with underpinning):

All above plus underpinning

Egress window enlargement

Separate entrance construction

Total: $80,000-120,000+

Permit and Professional Fees

Development permit: $400-800

Building permit: $500-2,000

Design/drafting: $1,000-3,000

Engineering (if needed): $1,000-3,000

Return on Investment

Rental Income Potential

TypeLocationMonthly Rent 1 BR basementCalgary$1,200-1,600 2 BR basementCalgary$1,400-1,800 1 BR basementAirdrie$1,100-1,400 1 BR basementCochrane$1,200-1,500 1 BR basementOkotoks$1,100-1,400

Typical ROI

Suite cost: $60,000

Annual rent: $16,000 ($1,333/month)

Less expenses: $3,000

Net income: $13,000

Simple payback: ~4.5 years

Common Pitfalls

Zoning Issues

Check zoning BEFORE designing

Some properties simply don't qualify

Rezoning rarely practical

Code Compliance

Ceiling height often the killer

Egress windows expensive to retrofit

Fire separation easily missed

Permit Shortcuts

Never skip permits

Insurance issues if unpermitted

Liability concerns

Resale complications

Neighbor Opposition

Can delay or block permits

Especially in smaller towns

Address concerns proactively

Getting Started

Before investing in a secondary suite, verify your property qualifies. We help clients navigate regulations and build compliant suites across Southern Alberta.

Contact us for a consultation. We'll assess your property's potential and guide you through the process.

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The Renovators Inc. builds legal secondary suites throughout Calgary and Southern Alberta. We handle permits, ensure code compliance, and deliver quality construction.