The first step for many houses will be to apply for a land use redesignation. This is done with the Calgary Planning & Development Department. You are technically applying to have the “land use district” (zone) amended to allow for your intended use. There are special designations for single detached dwellings with secondary suites and they contain a lower case ‘s’ in the district code. For example, an R-1 district does not allow secondary suites, but an R-1s district does. The City of Calgary has a tool to help you know what your land use designation is. Check to see if are already permitted to have a secondary suite.
2. Permit Applications
“Development permits for home renovations allow The City to review your project or grant a relaxation when the development does not meet the rules of the Land Use Bylaw” (City of Calgary). Secondary suites are exempt from requiring a development permit, in most cases, until March 3, 2017. You will still require a permit if a secondary suite is listed as a “discretionary use” in your land use district or if you require a relaxation of the bylaws.
“A building permit is required to ensure that the built environment is safe and meets the Alberta Building Code” (The City of Calgary). A building permit is required for all secondary suites. There are separate building permit applications for secondary suites that are exempt from requiring a development permit.
“Trade permits are required for electrical, plumbing, gas or mechanical work” (City of Calgary). A City safety code officer from each discipline will inspect the systems to ensure that they were built according to the building code requirements.
It is important that all permits are obtained for any work that is started on your property. Penalties for noncompliance include stop work orders, fines, having to undo completed work, and even future legal and financial issues when selling or making an insurance claim.
3. Code Requirements
By having a licensed contractor complete the work and obtain the necessary permits you can be comforted in knowing that these code requirements should be met, but it is good for you to understand at the budgeting phase how much work will be required to make your basement suite code compliant. Here are some important code items:
Ceilings – Basement suite ceilings must have a minimum height of 1.95 metres. The ceilings can be dropped to 1.85 metres where there is ductwork or beams.
Doors – Doors within the suite must have a minimum height of 1.89 metres.
Entrance – The basement suite must have a separate entrance from the main residence. This can either be a separate door leading directly outside, or a door to a common stairway that is separate from both units.
Bedroom Windows – Basement suite bedrooms must have an operable window that can be used as an emergency exit point. The window must be a minimum of 0.35 metres squared and have a minimum height and width of 38 centimetres.
Fire Safety – The code requires a smoke-tight barrier between the basement suite and the main residence. This means a minimum of 1/2 inch drywall on the ceiling and all walls between the two units. All joints and holes must be sealed with drywall mud. This includes holes where pipes and utilities pass through the wall or ceiling. Any doors that connect the two units must be solid core wood and have an automatic closer. Smoke detectors are required on each floor, in each bedroom and in any common space. Smoke detectors must be interconnected. Carbon monoxide detectors are also required in each unit within five metres from any bedroom.
Heating – Basement suites are required to have a separate heating or ventilation system. This could be a second dedicated furnace with separate ductwork or a baseboard heating system combined with a ventilation system.
Plumbing – Each suite requires its own hot water supply and at least one toilet, bathtub or shower, bathroom sink, and kitchen sink. Separate or common laundry facilities are also required.
There are more specific requirements for different situations. The city has some resources available and we are always happy to help in any way. Let us know if you have any questions we can help with!
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