A milestone was recently reached in the City of Calgary’s secondary suite reform program.
It was two years ago city council created a more simplified, straightforward and dignified process for residents to apply for a legal secondary suite in their homes.
Prior to the reform, property owners wanting to add a secondary suite had to appear before council and request a land use re-designation. Applicants were submitted to questioning by councillors, as well as neighbours, plus, at times, were forced to disclose some very personal reasons for needing a suite.
The reform removed the requirement of council’s approval and changes to the Land Use Bylaw allowed suites anywhere in the city.
A mandatory suite registry was launched, providing suite owners, new and existing, the ability to ensure their suites are legal and safe, giving owners a two-year amnesty period to register their suites.
“In addition to improving barriers in the application process, we have also made secondary suites safer,” says Ulrik Seward, chief building official with the City. “Fires are the most common danger in basement suites and city inspectors strictly enforce life safety requirements.”
The reform has had a positive effect over the last two years, says Seward, with 1,490 building permits issued, 3,680 inspections conducted and 2,415 suites registered.
Secondary suites are part of the housing market, says Gerry Baxter, executive director of the Calgary Residential Rental Association.
“They offer an alternative to many people. They offer choice,” says Baxter. “The one thing I’m really in favour of, and I really support, is the initiative taken by The City over the last couple of years to allow people to come forward without penalty or fear of reproach from the city and register their units.”
The two-year amnesty period ends on June 1 this year, and despite streamlining processes and waiving development and permits fees during the period, there are still suites in Calgary that do not meet the City’s safety and building code requirements. Common problems include the size of bedroom window exits, missing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, missing drywall barriers or unprotected stairway exits.
Anyone who has a secondary suite that is not registered is encouraged by the City to apply for the necessary permits, with no penalty, prior to the amnesty deadline. For more information, go to calgary.ca/suites .
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