What a Backyard Suite Is
A backyard suite is a separate dwelling on the same lot as your house, with its own kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area and entrance. In Calgary it is a different permit from a basement suite, and a development permit is always required. Because it is a building as well as a home, the build includes everything a garage does, such as slab or foundation, framing, roof and exterior, plus the systems of a dwelling. The photo shows a detached garage under construction in Calgary, the same type of structure a backyard suite starts from.
- Stand-alone suites and suites above a garage
- Foundation, framing and roof
- Licensed trades for plumbing and electrical
- Permits and plans handled
- Siding and roofing to match your house
- Click Before You Dig locates
Does Your Lot Qualify
Calgary Backyard Suite Rules
The City limits what can be built. A backyard suite has a maximum floor area of about 75 square metres, a minimum lot width of around nine metres, or 7.5 metres on a corner or lane lot with enough parking, and a height limit of about 7.5 metres that slopes down near neighbours. It also needs setbacks from the lane and sides, and separation from the main house. These are summaries, and the City's page has the current figures. We check your lot against them before you spend money on drawings.
- Size and height limits
- Lot width and parking
- Setbacks and separation
- A development permit is always required
Safe Ground Work
Excavation, Foundation and Click Before You Dig
A backyard suite starts with the ground. We request utility locates through Click Before You Dig and wait for the lines to be marked, which takes at least three full working days. Then we excavate, compact a gravel base and build the foundation or slab for the building, with the footings, drainage and frost protection that a dwelling needs. Services for water, sewer and power run from the house or the lane, which affects the layout. See our concrete and garage builders pages.
- Utility locates first
- Excavation and compacted base
- Foundation or slab for a dwelling
- Service connections planned
Walls, Floors and Roof
Framing, Roof and Exterior
Once the foundation is cured, the walls, floor and roof framing go up, followed by sheathing, house wrap, windows and doors. The roof is covered with shingles over ice barrier and underlayment, and siding, soffit, fascia and eavestroughs finish the exterior. Because we are a roofing and siding contractor, the suite can match your house, which also helps it fit the neighbourhood.
- Walls, floor and roof framing
- Sheathing, house wrap and windows
- Roofing, siding and trim
- Exterior matched to your house
Making It a Home
Plumbing, Electrical, Heating and Interior
A suite needs a kitchen, a bathroom, heating, ventilation, electrical circuits and fire safety. Licensed plumbers, electricians and gas fitters do that work under their own permits, and we coordinate them so inspections happen before drywall. Then the insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, cabinets and fixtures go in. The suite is small, so layout and storage are worth planning early.
- Plumbing, electrical and heating by licensed trades
- Fire separation and alarms
- Insulation and drywall
- Kitchen, bath and finishes
Plans and Approvals
Permits, Inspections and Timeline
The permit stage takes longer than most people expect. A development permit review takes weeks, then building and trade permits follow, and inspections happen at framing, systems and final stages. We prepare the drawings, apply, book the inspections and keep you informed. The build itself takes several months after permits are approved, depending on size and weather.
- Development permit first
- Building and trade permits
- Inspections at each stage
- Final occupancy checks
Both give you more space, but they work differently on a lot.
Backyard Suite or Basement Suite: Which Is Right for You?
A backyard suite suits when:
You have a wide lot with room behind the house
You want a separate building and privacy
The basement is too low or too small
You have a lane for access
A basement suite suits when:
The basement has good height
The lot is narrow or small
You want a lower cost
You prefer to keep it inside the house
Considering a Backyard Suite? Tell Us About Your Lot
Send the street area, lot width and a photo of the backyard, and we will call you back.
What Affects the Cost of a Backyard Suite
Size and Design
A larger suite or a two-storey design costs more, and a simple shape costs less to frame and roof.
Foundation and Services
Foundation type, soil, and the length of water, sewer and power connections change the site work.
How a Backyard Suite Project Goes
Build
Excavation, foundation, framing, roof, exterior and systems go in order, with inspections along the way.
Why Lot Details Matter
Utility Locations
Where gas, power and sewer run decides where the suite can go and what it costs to connect.
Drainage
The suite must not send water toward neighbours, so grading and eavestroughs are planned early.
Why Build Your Suite With Blueprint
Garage and Slab Experience
We build garages and concrete pads, the same structures a backyard suite is built on.
Questions About a Backyard Suite?
Send the size, what it is for and a photo of the area, and we will call you back.
Book a Suite Estimate
Frequently Asked Questions About Backyard Suites
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Q. Do I need a permit for a backyard suite in Calgary?
Yes. A development permit is always required, and building and trade permits follow. The review takes weeks, so plan early. Check the City's secondary suite page for the current rules.
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Q. How big can a backyard suite be?
The City's limit is about 75 square metres of floor area, with a height limit of around 7.5 metres. Setbacks and lot size also affect how big the building can be.
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Q. How wide does my lot need to be?
The City generally requires a lot about nine metres wide, or 7.5 metres on a corner or lane lot with enough parking. Check your lot against the current rules.
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Q. How close to the lane and the house can it be?
The City sets setbacks from the lane and side property lines and a separation distance from the main house. We check the current figures for your lot before drawing anything.
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Q. How much does a backyard suite cost?
A backyard suite is a new building, so the cost is much higher than a basement suite and depends on size, foundation, finishes and site work. We check your lot and give you a clear quote.
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Q. How long does it take to build a backyard suite?
Permits take weeks, and the build takes several months afterward. Weather, inspections and the size of the project affect the schedule.
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Q. Can I build above a garage?
Yes, in many cases, as a suite above a garage or as a stand-alone building. The design has to meet the same size, height and setback rules, and the structure has to be designed for the load. See our garage builders page and our secondary suites page.
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Q. Can I rent a backyard suite?
Yes, if it is a legal suite. Tell your insurer, register as the City requires and make sure the suite passes final inspection before anyone moves in.
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Q. Does a backyard suite need its own parking?
Parking requirements apply, often depending on lot and lane access. We confirm the current parking rule for your lot during the lot check.
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Q. Do I need utility locates before digging?
Yes. We request locates through Click Before You Dig before we dig, and we plan for at least three full working days.
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Q. Can the suite match my house?
Yes. We are a roofing and siding contractor, so we match shingle colour, siding profile and trim to your house.
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Q. Do you design the suite?
We prepare the drawings for permits and work with an engineer or designer when the project needs one. Tell us what you want, and we will explain the options.
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Q. What can slow down a backyard suite project?
Permit review time, utility connections, weather and any change to the plan after permits are issued. We keep you informed and plan around them.
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Q. Will a backyard suite change my property taxes or insurance?
It can. A new dwelling is assessed and may change your property taxes, and your insurer needs to know about the suite and any tenant. Ask both before you start so the numbers do not surprise you.
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Q. What if the backyard is small or sloped?
Slopes, small lots and large trees all affect where a building can go and what the site work costs. We look at the lot and tell you honestly whether it works and what it would take.
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Q. Can I build a garden suite for a family member?
Yes. A backyard suite can house a family member as well as a tenant. The same permits, safety rules and inspections apply either way.
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Q. Do I need a survey or plot plan for a backyard suite?
The City asks for a site plan showing the lot, the house, the suite and the setbacks, and a real property report or survey is often useful to confirm lot lines and utilities. We tell you what your project needs at the lot check.
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Q. Which areas do you serve?
We build backyard suites in Calgary and in Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane and Okotoks, and in the areas between. Rules differ outside Calgary, so we check each town's requirements.