Secondary Suites

Important notice about Cornerstones Grant Funding

The City’s Cornerstones Grant Program for Secondary Suites is now fully spent and applications are no longer being accepted. Please check the Secondary Suite Grants page for updates on future grant opportunities.

Secondary suites and housing

Municipalities across Canada are recognizing secondary suites as a viable source of rental housing. They can also provide extra revenue or mortgage support for families looking to buy a home.

That is why the City of Edmonton is encouraging the development of secondary suites to help meet the objectives of its Affordable Housing Plan.

Hear more about secondary suites

The Secondary Suites Grant Program was recently featured on the Edmonton This Week radio program.
Listen as Hal Wright of the City's Housing Branch explains the program.

See the Legacy Pointe in La Perle development featuring new homes with built-in secondary suites. Grants up to $20,000 available for this project

The plan seeks to increase affordable housing options in line with Cornerstones: Edmonton’s Plan for Affordable Housing, 2006-2011, which was endorsed by Council in 2005.

Zoning changes adoped in phases

The City developed Secondary Suite Zoning Bylaw changes over two phases. The first phase was completed in December 2007 with Council’s adoption of Bylaw 14750. The second phase was completed in February 2009 with the adoption of Bylaw 15036.

Bylaw 15036 has clauses that:

  • Remove the location restrictions for secondary suites, which currently apply in the large-lot residential zones.

  • Modify the location restrictions for garage suites in large-lot mature area zones and apply them to most other low-density residential zones.

  • Introduce at-grade garage suites and garden suites (single-storey accessory suites, detached from the main house) at the discretion of the development authority. The same location restrictions for garage suites would also apply to garden suites.

Secondary Suites-Phase 1

Secondary Suites Phase 2

Secondary Suites FAQ

Secondary Suites Cornerstones Grant Program

For more information:

Secondary Suites: Information and Advisory for Questions and Forms

5th Floor, 10250–101 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T5J 3P4
8am-4:30pm

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Development Permit and Zoning Bylaw Inquiries

Title Development Technical Advisor
Telephone

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Building Permit and Building Code inquiries on new secondary or garage suite developments

Title Building Technical Advisor
Telephone

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Fire Code Inquiries (Secondary Suites)

Fire Prevention
Fire Rescue Services
Community Services Department

Title Fire Prevention Coordinator
Telephone

780-496-3628

Sanitary Sewer Trunk Charge (applies to Secondary, Garage and Garden Suites)

Title Drainage Services
Telephone

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Building and Fire Codes-Provincial Standards

Title Municipal Affairs and Housing, Safety Services Branch
Telephone

1-866-421-6929
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