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Accessory suites

Proposed changes:

After taking into consideration Council feedback, public engagement and information gathered through research and consultation, Administration presented the recommended changes to the Accessory Suites regulations contained in Land Use Bylaw B-01/2016 to the Community Infrastructure and Strategic Growth (CISG) Standing Committee on Aug. 27, 2024 and then to City Council for three readings on Nov. 5, 2024. At that meeting, Council directed Administration to return to Council with changes to the proposed bylaw.

The public hearing reconvened on Dec. 17, 2024, where Bylaw no. B-30/2024 (PDF) was approved by Council.

View the Council & Committee Meeting and Agenda

Approval of Bylaw B-30/2024 has updated the regulations for accessory suites to provide more flexibility and opportunities for property owners while maintaining neighbourhood livability and infrastructure capacity. Here’s what’s new:

	Previous regulations	new regulations
Expanded definitions	Accessory suites were restricted to single detached dwellings	Now include semi-detached dwellings in specific districts
Parking requirements	Parking requirements were based on the number of bedrooms	Standardized to one stall per suite, regardless of suite type
Lot dimensions	Larger minimum lot dimensions were required for all suite types	Lot size requirements reduced: Secondary suites: no minimum dimensions Garden suites: reduced to 360 m2 area and 11 m width Garage suites: reduced to 260 m2 area and 11 m width
Land use classification	Accessory suites often listed as discretionary uses	Shifted to permitted uses in many districts, with exceptions for specific conditions such as semi-detchached housing and lots located in cul-de-sacs, which will be discretionary
Entry requirements	Restrictive entry placement (e.g. side or rear for secondary suites)	Broader options for entries, including front entries and shared common indoor landings
Co-existence with home-based business	A home-based business could not be located on the same site as an accessory suite	Home-based businesses may now be permitted on the same site as an accessory suite provided parking requirements are met

In June 2023, Council approved the Affordable Housing Action Plan and tasked City staff to revisit the rules around accessory suites (secondary, garden and garage suites). The goal? To remove obstacles when building approved suites, recognizing their potential to boost our local economy and champion sustainable growth.

An accessory suite is a secondary dwelling from the principal residence and can be a garage suite, a garden suite or a secondary suite.

A graphic showing the three types of accessory suites, secondary, garden and garage

There are municipal safety regulations for approved accessory suites. Learn about unique requirements for each type of accessory suite.

Learn more about secondary suites

Learn more about garden suites

Learn more about garage suites

Accessory suites: explained

Benefits of accessory suites:

Entry to home ownership
Supplemental income for homeowners
Diverse and inclusive housing opportunities
Multi-generational living
Housing for in-home care
Affordable rental options
Serves our local labour force
Encourages sustainable development and growth
Efficient use of infrastructure and land
Aligns with urban development goals

The rising demand

In the past three years, Airdrie has witnessed a significant increase in applications for accessory suites. This trend is a clear indicator of the growing interest and need for diverse housing options in our community. As we look towards 2024, projections suggest that this demand will not only continue but likely increase.

A bar chart showing the surge in accessory suite applications from 2016 to 2023
Why the surge in applications?

Changing housing needs: With evolving demographics and economic conditions, more residents are seeking affordable and flexible housing solutions.
Increased awareness: Our efforts to educate and inform the community about the benefits of accessory suites have led to a greater understanding and acceptance of these housing options.
Supportive policies: Relaxation of municipal rules and streamlined application processes have made it easier for homeowners to consider adding accessory suites to their properties.

Airdrie's response to this trend:

Enhancing infrastructure and services: In anticipation of the growing number of secondary suites, we're proactively planning to enhance our infrastructure and municipal services to support this increase.
Continued community engagement: Recognizing the importance of community input, we want to understand residents’ needs and concerns.
Monitoring and evaluation: We're closely monitoring this trend and will continuously evaluate our policies and procedures to ensure they meet the evolving needs of our community.

Debunking myths

Myth: Accessory suites decrease property values.
Fact: Contrary to this belief, accessory suites can increase property values by providing additional income potential and appealing to a broader range of buyers.

Myth: They lead to overcrowding and parking issues.
Fact: The City implements careful planning to ensure adequate parking and maintain neighbourhood aesthetics and functionality.

Myth: Suites compromise safety.
Fact: All approved accessory suites must adhere to strict building and safety codes, ensuring they are as safe as any standard home.

Myth: Accessory suites cause more noise and disruption than a single-family home.
Fact: There has been no evidence that shows accessory suites cause more noise or disruption than average residences.

Myth: Accessory suites strain City services.
Fact: Accessory suites don't significantly increase demand for services. Airdrie has servicing capacity to accommodate accessory suite development.

Variances

In situations where LUB standards can’t be met, the development authority is able to determine whether the standard can be relaxed (which is called a “variance”) to allow for a garage suite, garden suite, or secondary suite application to be approved.

There are two important tests to determine if a variance can be granted:

The variance cannot allow the development of the Secondary Suite to negatively affect the amenities of the neighbourhood or neighbouring properties.
The variance must be something that is unique or specific to the property (i.e. why should the variance grant an exception to the rule?).

Building permit for an accessory suite

Once the development permit for your garage suite, garden suite, or secondary suite is issued, you will need to obtain building permits.

Learn about permits/ requirements when making changes to your home