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20,000 Legal Suites: Calgary’s Accessory Suite Boom

Calgary just passed a major housing milestone: more than 20,000 legal secondary suites are now on the city’s registry. If you are buying, selling, or thinking about adding a suite, this shift touches your plans. In this guide, you will learn what changed, how the incentive works, what makes a suite legal, and how to use this trend to your advantage. Let’s dive in.

Calgary’s 20,000-suite milestone

Calgary’s Secondary Suite Registry surpassed 20,000 registered suites in August 2025, up from about 10,000 five years earlier. The city credits policy changes and incentives for the rapid growth in safe, inspected units. You can read the announcement in the City’s newsroom and see how this fits into the broader push for more housing choice and safety.

What changed to make suites easier

Amnesty through 2026

Council extended the Secondary Suites Amnesty Program so owners have more time to legalize existing suites with waived development permit and registry fees. The extension runs through December 31, 2026, which lowers upfront costs for many homeowners.

Cash incentives for safety upgrades

The Secondary Suite Incentive Program can reimburse up to $10,000 per qualifying homeowner for required life-safety items. There are also potential bonuses for energy efficiency and accessibility. The program applies to suites inside the main dwelling.

What makes a suite legal in Calgary

Where suites are allowed

A secondary suite is a self-contained dwelling unit inside a principal single detached home. It has its own kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area, and a separate entrance. Calgary allows one suite per qualifying property in most low-density districts.

Safety checklist to expect

To be registered, a suite must meet building and life-safety standards. Common items include:

  • Egress windows in bedrooms with an opening of at least 0.35 m² and no dimension under 380 mm.
  • Hardwired, interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
  • A smoke-tight barrier with 1/2 inch drywall on ceilings and walls that separate the suite from the main dwelling.
  • A protected exit if exterior stairs are near windows or openings.
  • Heating and ventilation that meet code, which can mean separate systems.

The best path is to confirm requirements against City guidance and work with licensed contractors.

Permits and timelines

Depending on your property and scope, you may need a development permit, building permit, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits. The City targets about 60 days for development permit review, though timelines vary with complexity. Some sites also have rules for parking, suite area, and minimum amenity space of 7.5 m².

Note: Backyard or garden suites are regulated separately and always require planning approval. They are not eligible for the inside-dwelling incentive program.

How the boom is shaping the market

Calgary’s housing research reports higher rental supply and rising vacancy from 2024 to 2025 as more units, including legal secondary suites, came online. Several reports pointed to downward pressure on asking rents during that period. These trends are time sensitive, so check the latest City housing research before you set expectations.

If you are buying a home with a suite

A legal suite can help with carrying costs and broaden your financing options. Here is how to evaluate one confidently:

  • Verify registration. Ask for the registration number and confirm it on the City’s registry. Suites on the registry have passed safety inspections.
  • Confirm permits and inspections. Review development and building permits, plus electrical, plumbing, and mechanical finals if applicable.
  • Stress test the numbers. Model conservative rent and vacancy assumptions. Check current rental trends for your area and property type.
  • Understand long-term vs short-term rental rules. If a suite received incentive funds, it cannot be licensed as a short-term rental for two years after funding.

If you are selling a home with a suite

A legally registered suite is a marketable feature. To maximize interest and trust:

  • Lead with documentation. Highlight the suite’s registration number, permits, and inspection history in your listing package.
  • Be clear on compliance. Outline safety upgrades like egress windows and hardwired alarms.
  • Price with local context. The lift from a legal suite varies by neighborhood norms, condition, and rent potential. Align pricing with recent, similar sales that feature registered suites.

Thinking about adding or legalizing a suite

If you are weighing the costs and timeline, use this simple plan:

  1. Get familiar with requirements. Review City guidance on definitions, safety items, and permit pathways.
  2. Walk the space with a contractor. Price out egress windows, drywall separation, alarms, HVAC, and any protected exit work.
  3. Apply for permits. Factor in the development permit review target of about 60 days when it is required.
  4. Leverage funding. If eligible, apply for the incentive program to offset safety costs.
  5. Prepare for rental operations. Confirm insurance and learn provincial tenancy rules before you advertise.

Short-term rentals and legal suites

In 2024 and 2025, Calgary updated short-term rental business licence rules, including how primary and non-primary residences are treated and enforcement tools. Separate from licensing, suites that received incentive funds are not eligible for a short-term rental business licence for two years after funding unless the funds are fully repaid. Keep long-term rental rules and short-term rental rules separate as you plan.

Ready to put this trend to work for you? Whether you want to buy a home with a suite, sell a registered suite for maximum value, or plan a legalization, reach out. We combine boutique service with data-driven advice so you move with confidence. Connect with Dimitri Kalkounis to map your next step in Calgary.

FAQs

How do I confirm a Calgary suite is legal?

  • Ask for the registration number and verify it on the City’s registry, then review permits and final inspections for added peace of mind.

What safety features are typically required for a legal suite?

  • Expect bedroom egress windows, hardwired interconnected smoke and CO alarms, a smoke-tight barrier, protected exiting where needed, and code-compliant HVAC.

How does the $10,000 incentive work in Calgary?

  • Eligible owners of inside-dwelling suites can apply for rebates that help pay for required life-safety items, with possible energy and accessibility bonuses.

Can I use a funded suite for short-term rentals?

  • Not for two years after receiving incentive funds, unless you repay the funds first, because the program supports long-term housing supply.

How long do permits take for a suite conversion?

  • Timelines vary by scope, but the City targets about 60 days for development permit review when one is required, plus time for construction and inspections.

Partner With Trusted Experts

At Blue Door Realty Group, we believe every home is more than just a property — it’s the start of your next chapter. Our team is here to guide you with expertise, honesty, and care so you can move forward with confidence.