CALGARY SECONDARY SUITE REQUIREMENTS & BUILDING BYLAWS
Understand the legal, structural, and safety requirements your basement or secondary suite must meet to be approved in Calgary.
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Stop guessing what upgrades are mandatory vs optional
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Understand zoning, fire code, and ceiling rules before spending
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Know where most owners fail — and how to avoid it
WHAT THE CITY OF CALGARY REQUIRES FOR A LEGAL SECONDARY SUITE
The following features must be present and code-compliant for a secondary suite to pass inspection.
Separate Kitchen and Bathroom – Must function as a self-contained unit
Private Entrance – From outside or through shared stairwell with lockable doors
Egress Windows – Basement bedrooms need code-compliant emergency escape windows
Ceiling Height – Minimum 1.95m finished height, with limited allowances
Fire Separation – Drywall and sealed assembly between units and furnace room
Smoke and CO Detectors – Hardwired and interconnected in both units
Independent Heating – Required for post-2018 suites (own furnace or approved separation)
Parking & Outdoor Space – 1 on-site stall + dedicated outdoor amenity space (7.5 m2 min)
Some rules can vary for older suites (pre-2018) or discretionary zoning. We clarify what applies during the review
KEY LAND USE AND BYLAW RULES FOR SECONDARY SUITES IN CALGARY
Bylaws define whether you’re allowed to have a suite, and what the lot must include.
Only one legal suite is permitted per detached house (no combination with backyard suite)
All suites require proper lot size, amenity space, and parking
Suite zoning depends on your land use district (e.g., R-C1, R-C2, R-1N)
Pre-2018 suites may qualify for a simplified compliance program (amnesty)
We check these rules against your exact address as part of our Suite Review.
MOST COMMON REASONS SUITES FAIL INSPECTION OR PERMIT REVIEW
These are the top issues flagged by City inspectors or permit officers.
Bedroom egress window too small or too high off the floor
Missing fire separation in ceiling or around furnace room
Incomplete smoke/CO alarm setup or no interconnectivity
Shared HVAC without required fire-rated isolation
Ceiling height reduced by ductwork or flooring
No site plan showing legal on-site parking stall
We check these rules against your exact address as part of our Suite Review.
LEGALIZATION RULES FOR OLDER BASEMENT SUITES
(PRE-2018 BUILDS)
Existing suites built before March 2018 may qualify for a simplified approval path.
To qualify, the suite must:
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Have a bathroom, cooking space, and private entrance already in place
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Be in a district that allows secondary suites or apply for a discretionary permit
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Pass key safety upgrades: smoke-tight drywall, egress, smoke/CO alarms
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Require minimal structural change
This program still involves a building permit and inspections but limits required upgrades to fire/life safety.