What is a Garden Suite?

In simple terms, a Garden Suite is a separate dwelling unit on a single family home lot.

The Edmonton Zoning Bylaw (12800) specifically defines a Garden Suite as:

• Garden Suite means a single-storey Accessory Dwelling, which is located in a building separate from the principal use, which is Single Detached Housing.
• A Garden Suite has cooking facilities, food preparation, sleeping and sanitary facilities which are separate from those of the principal dwelling located on the site.
• This Use Class does not include Secondary Suites or Garage Suites.

General Permit Information:

Permits are a requirement for many aspects of the construction process including development, building, gas, electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation work.

Projects are reviewed and assessed according to the Edmonton Zoning Bylaw, the Alberta Building Code and the Safety Codes Permit Bylaw prior to permit approvals.

Process times:
Process time for applications usually take about 6-8 weeks, however actual time frames may vary for each project due to differences in the applications and requirements.

Updated Application Forms For New Home Construction

As of February 1, 2014, all new home building permit applications will be required under the New Home Buyer Protection Act (Municipal Affairs of the Alberta Government) to supply one of the following before a building permit can be issued:

• Warranty Confirmation number
  OR,
  An exemption letter from the Alberta Government

Please ensure you use the updated application forms to provide this required information.

For more information about the warranty program see: www.homewarranty.alberta.ca.

Development Permit Requirements

If the residential development permit is for a new building that will be larger than 47 sq. metres (506 sq. ft.), or an addition to or an alteration of an existing building that will result in the building being larger than 47 sq. metres (506 sq. ft.) the Abandoned Wells Confirmation Form must be submitted with a printout of the map(s) that was used to confirm the absence/presence of abandoned well(s) with the permit application form.

Construction or renovation of a garden suite requires a development permit.

For a new Garden Suite

• Complete the "Garage with Garage or Garden Suite Application Form"
• Supply the required documentation as indicated on the application form
• Include the applicable fees

If the Garden Suite hasn't received all of its approvals and permits previously, the applicant should use the same application form and documentation requirements as explained in the "new garden suite" section (above).

• Fill in the Residential Construction Application form.
• Supply documentation as indicated in the interior alteration section on the application form
• Include the applicable fees

Inspections

After your application has been reviewed and the appropriate permits(s) issued, applicants are required to contact the City of Edmonton Call Centre at 311 and arrange for inspections. All inspections must be passed before any person can occupy the garden suite.

To prepare for the required inspections in occupied homes, please ensure:

• an individual 18 years of age or older who is responsible for the property is present during the inspection
• clear and unobstructed access to all areas of inspection is provided
• all pets are securely contained

Please note: the Safety Codes Officers are required to wear shoes while performing their duties in your home.

Fees

For new construction and existing garden suites that have been built without permits

Fees are based on the square footage of the building that is being constructed.

• For applications made after January 1, 2016 - See 2016 Combined Fee Schedule for Garage Suites and Garden Suites

An additional $102 notification fee will be added to all garage or garden suite combo permits that are Class B or require a variance.

Development Permit:

• Permit Fees may vary depending on the scope of the construction.

Building Permit:

Fee will be the total of your Building Permit (based on the construction value of your Secondary Suite renovation) plus a safety code fee, which is charged on all Building Permits

2016 rates

Construction Value includes:

• Building Components (all materials used in the construction of the building including all building services, electrical, fire alarm and detection systems, and fire protection equipment)
• Plumbing components (fixtures, drainage system, venting systems, water systems or any part thereof)
• Electrical components
• Heating components (systems and equipment for heating, ventilating and air-conditioning)

Construction value does NOT include furnishings, rugs, floor coverings, curtains etc.

Waste management fees

If you are developing a secondary suite, a garage suite or garden suite, you need to know that your Waste Management Services Fee is affected.

For More Information

Permits and Licensing Service Centre