General information

• A garden suite has cooking, food preparation, sleeping and sanitary facilities which are separate from those of the principal dwelling. 
• The ground floor area of a garden suite is applicable to the total accessory ground floor area allowed in the Zoning District. 
• This does not include a manufactured home, manufactured home (single-wide), secondary suite or additional dwelling.
• Only one garden suite may be considered per dwelling. 
• A principal dwelling shall be developed on the lot prior to the development of a garden suite. 
• A garden suite shall not exceed the lesser of 40% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling or 100 square metres (68 square metres in RE, RCM, RCH zonings).
• The garden suite shall not be located closer to the front property line than the existing principal dwelling.
• The exterior design of the garden suite shall include a roof pitch and exterior finishing that is similar in design, colour and material and which is of a complementary nature to the principal dwelling. 
• The exterior of a garden suite developed as part of a detached garage shall continue to appear as a garage.
• A minimum of three on-site parking stalls must be provided (two for the principal dwelling and one for the garden suite) which conform to parking regulations. 
• Bedrooms shall have no less than one outside window or exterior door, openable from the outside providing an unobstructed opening of no less than 0.35 metres square (3.77 square feet) in area. No dimension of the openable portion may be less than 380 mm (15 inches).
• Ceiling height minimum for garden suites is 6.4 ft. (1.95 m).
• Smoke alarms must be hard-wired and interconnected with the accessory structure (if applicable) so they will operate in unison.
• Exit can be provided either by direct exterior exit or an exit with stairs leading from the suite to the accessory entry (that has a doorway to the outside).
• Fire protected walls and ceiling (use of 1/2 inch drywall) are required between a garden suite and the accessory portion as well as around common exits. 
• Electrical, plumbing and gas work must be done by a certified professional (e.g. master electrician, journeyman trades person).
• Heating and ventilation for the suite must be independent from the accessory. 
• Gas furnaces and water heaters must be enclosed in a room with fire protected walls and ceiling (use of 1/2 inch drywall).
• Water and sewer can be provided through the main house or have their own systems. 

Printable brochure - Garden suites information (308.7 KB)

Applying for permits

To obtain the necessary permits, you will be required to submit:

• A completed development permit (363.2 KB)  application form with landowner signature.
• A completed  building permit (3.3 MB)  application form.
• A current copy of land title (printed within the last 30 days)
• Abandoned Well Declaration form, (645.9 KB) for buildings larger than 47 square metres
• A site plan which includes:
  • All structures on the property and the proposed development
  • Distances to the property lines from the proposed development
  • Dimensions of the property
  • Dimensions of the proposed development
  • Easements, utility right-of-ways (a site plan prepared by an Alberta Land Surveyor may be required)
• All appropriate building plans (to scale) including floor plans, elevation drawings, cross section with specifications and the foundation plan.

Garden suite fees

Please see "Garden Suite" in the current development and building fee schedules. 

Note: The Safety Code Council fee also applies to garden suites, please see the current building fee schedule. 

More information: