Garage suites

A garage suite is only allowed in land use districts where it is listed as a 'permitted use' or 'discretionary use'. 

Refer to the Land Use Bylaw

If a garage suite is listed as a permitted use under the LUB, it means that the development authority must approve a development permit if it meets the provisions of the LUB.

If a garage suite is listed as a discretionary use under the LUB, it means the development authority may use discretion in deciding to approve or not approve a development permit. The development authority in making its decision may consider if the application meets the purpose and intent of the land use district, the provisions of the LUB and is compatible with the surrounding area.

Section 6.22.1 of the LUB outlines the regulations that apply to garage suites. However, there are five important regulations that determine if your property can accommodate a Garage Suite:

1. The land use district of the property lists a garage suite as a permitted use or discretionary use.
2. The garage suite must be proposed on the same property as a single detached dwelling (they are not allowed with a duplex, townhouse or other types of residential units).
3. The property must not already contain a bed and breakfast, child care facility, supportive housing facility, another suite, or a home business that interacts with clients at the property.
4. The property (not the house) is at least 13.0m (approx. 42ft) wide.
5. The property (not the house) is at  wide and at least 400m² (approx. 4,300ft²) in area.
6. There must be two parking spaces provided for the main dwelling/house, plus one space per bedroom (up to a maximum of two) for the garage suite in accordance with Section 4.4 of the LUB. All parking must be located on the property. On-street parking is not counted as parking for the purpose of a garage suite application.

A development permit is required for a garage suite and typically takes approximately eight to 12 weeks to complete once a fully completed application has been submitted.

The development permit application for a garage suite is $250. A variance requires a separate additional fee, but can be processed under the same application.

Where a  garage suite is a permitted use, a development permit application will be reviewed and approved by City of Airdrie staff.

Where a garage suite is a discretionary use, a development permit application must be referred to the Community Infrastructure and Strategic Growth Committee (CISG) for approval.

After a development permit is approved, the City will issue a notice of decision. This notice will contain conditions of approval and other advisory comments to applicants.

After a development permit is approved, in the case where the garage suite is a permitted use and a variance has been granted or where the garage suite is a discretionary use, the City must notify the adjacent land owners of the approval and post a notice of approval on the city's website and in a local newspaper for a 21-day appeal period. During this period anyone who feels that they are affected by the approval has the right to file an appeal with the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.

Once all conditions are resolved and the appeal period is over, then the development permit is issued to the applicant.

If the development permit is appealed then it is referred to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB). 

Learn more about the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB)