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Secondary Suite Permit

Secondary Suites in Calgary — Clear Guidance from Idea to Approval

  • Confirm whether a secondary suite is allowed on your property
  • Understand development permit and building permit requirements
  • Prepare permit-ready drawings for City of Calgary review
  • Avoid delays, redesigns, and compliance issues
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    We’ll review your information and follow up with clear next steps.
    DO I NEED A PERMIT FOR A SECONDARY SUITE IN CALGARY?

    Let’s Determine Your Secondary Suite Permit Requirements

    Yes. All secondary suites require a building permit, and depending on the property and location, a development permit may also be required. Permits must be approved before construction begins or an existing suite can be considered legal. 

    A secondary suite is a self-contained dwelling unit with two or more rooms that includes its own kitchen, living area, sleeping area, and sanitary facilities. A secondary suite may be located within the basement, main floor, or second storey of a principal residential building.

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    CALGARY SECONDARY SUITE PERMIT SERVICES

    Permit-ready drawings and approvals

    We provide complete support for new and existing secondary suites.
    Our services include:
    • Land use and zoning review
    • Confirmation of suite eligibility
    • Preparation of permit-ready drawings
    • Coordination of building code requirements
    • Submission and management of City of Calgary permits
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    WHY PERMIT MASTERS FOR CALGARY SECONDARY SUITES

    Experience with City of Calgary approvals

    Calgary-specific expertise

    We regularly work with secondary suite applications across Calgary neighbourhoods and property types.

    Design aligned with approvals

    Our drawings are prepared with zoning and building code compliance in mind.

    Clarity over complexity

    We explain what’s allowed, what’s required, and how the process works.

    Fewer surprises

    Early review reduces redesigns, delays, and inspection failures.
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    PERMIT-READY SECONDARY SUITE DESIGN

    Design that supports approvals, not just layouts

    Secondary suites are reviewed closely for life-safety and building code compliance, so the drawings need to do more than show a floor plan. We prepare permit-ready plans that clearly demonstrate fire and smoke separation between units, sound separation, minimum ceiling height compliance, and the required egress and exit strategy. The result is a code-aligned layout that is easier for reviewers to approve and easier for contractors to build correctly. This approach helps applications move efficiently through review.

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    HOW THE CALGARY SECONDARY SUITE PERMIT PROCESS WORKS

    A clear, step-by-step process

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    Step 1 — Property & Zoning Review

    We confirm whether a secondary suite is allowed on your property.

    We prepare professional drawings that meet City and Building Code requirements.
    We submit, coordinate, and manage permit applications through approval.
    Testimonials

    Trusted experts for building permits and development permits

    “I wanted to have a secondary suite and the team at Permit Masters was incredibly helpful with the entire permit process. They were very professional, conducted the site visit promptly, and within a week, they had submitted my application.”
    “We are very grateful for the services that we received from the Permit Masters professional team. They capture all the details and provide an easy to understand structure and outline to completing the permit process.”
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    Frequently Asked Questions

    CALGARY SECONDARY SUITE RULES & FAQs

    What is a secondary suite in Calgary?
    A secondary suite is a self-contained dwelling unit with two or more rooms that includes its own kitchen, living area, sleeping area, and sanitary facilities. It may be located in the basement, main floor, or second storey of a principal building.

    Not always. 

    Depending on the land use designation of your property, a development permit may not be required if the secondary suite fully complies with the Land Use Bylaw. However, properties located in special policy areas, such as the airport vicinity or flood hazard areas, may still require a development permit even when the suite otherwise complies with zoning rules.

    Yes. 

    A building permit is always required for a secondary suite to confirm compliance with the Alberta Building Code, regardless of whether a development permit is required.

    To convert a basement into a secondary suite, the ceiling height must be a minimum of 1.5 metres. Limited exceptions are permitted for ductwork, beams, and door clearances, provided the space meets building code requirements.
    Secondary suites must meet additional Alberta Building Code requirements beyond a typical basement development. These include smoke-tight fire separation, soundproofing, interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, compliant entry and exit points, bedroom egress windows, and upgraded plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems.
    • New secondary suite: $403.52
    • Legalizing an existing secondary suite: $205.92

    These fees apply to the building permit only and are set by the City of Calgary annually.

    Yes.

    If a space includes the minimum design elements of a secondary suite, a building permit is required, even if you do not intend to rent the unit. Permit requirements are based on the design and use of the space, not rental intent.

    Yes. 

    To legalize an existing secondary suite, the suite must comply with the current Alberta Building Code, which often requires upgrades to meet life-safety and habitability standards.

    The City of Calgary requires:

    • All floor plans
    • Building elevations
    • A site plan
    • Completed application forms

    These drawings must demonstrate compliance with zoning regulations and the Alberta Building Code, including construction and life-safety requirements.

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    What Being a Master Means to Us

    Built on Knowledge, Proven Through Results

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    To us, being a master means more than knowing the rules. It means years of hands-on experience, refined judgment, and the ability to anticipate challenges before they arise.

    We’ve learned how municipalities actually work — not just how bylaws read — and we use that knowledge to guide projects with confidence and clarity.

    Our role is to make a complex process feel simple, predictable, and manageable.