Building a secondary suite in Calgary

Building a secondary suite in Calgary

If you’re searching for your next home, consider purchasing a home with a secondary suite or finding a property that can have a secondary suite built into it. Having a legal basement or backyard suite is a great investment. You can earn regular rental income to help pay down the cost of it’s initial construction and use it to assist with mortgage payments and other bills. That secondary suite will help pay for your home while increase its overall resale value. All you have to do is build it.

Applying for a basement or backyard suite in Calgary: 

To build a secondary or backyard suite in Calgary, you must go through an application process first. In this application process, you must declare the type of secondary suite you are planning to build. Options include a basement suite, in-law suite, backyard suite or a suite on top of the garage. You must also make sure your property itself is zoned and eligible for these kinds of Calgary home additions.

You can find and submit your application form online. In the application, you’ll have to provide information about your project to ensure it is compliant with building codes and city bylaws and submit drawings. You should always hire a general contractor or professional drafter to help with the design plan and drawings. Not only will this speed up the application process, it will also provide you with a detailed plan that will guide you and contractors working on your project. Learn how to apply online.

Getting all the proper inspections.

This is where hiring a professional contractor really comes in handy. They will ensure that all the permits required are obtained and that everything is inspected properly. In the City of Calgary, you will need permits for plumbing and electrical work as well as general building permits too. Learn more about home additions and hiring general contractors in this home renovation blog.  

Making your secondary suite safe.

There are certain safety requirements your secondary suite must follow to make sure all occupants are safe in the case of an emergency. Each bedroom should have a properly sized window that can be opened easily from the inside. It should be unobstructed and large enough for someone to fit through, so they can escape in the case of a fire. Each unit in the house should also have at least one exit that leads directly to the outside for this same reason.

You should also install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Have an electrician connect the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your own dwelling with those in the secondary suite. This will make sure all occupants are alarmed in the case of an emergency in either unit, so they can evacuate the home if necessary.

Learn 10 things you need to know about Calgary’s basement suite rules.