Seconday Suite Recommendations

Government has accepted an MLA review committee's recommendations, which specify province-wide standards to be included in the Alberta Building Code and the Alberta Fire Code.

The costs to develop a secondary suite will vary depending on the conditions of the home, the size and extent of the development and the labour required. The listed costs are approximate estimates for new construction or renovations carried out by a contractor. These types of activities require appropriate permits, such as building, gas and electrical.

Hover your cursor over a number to read the recommendation and related cost estimates.

Recommendations 1-4 are related to policy and are not technical requirements, and therefore they are not included in the diagram.

Click here to view this information in a printable document (pdf).

The total cost of implementing secondary suite standards will vary according to the number and type of changes required to develop the suite.

Existing homes may already have a number of the recommendations and standard building code requirements in place, which would lower the cost of development. For existing homes, the total costs may range from $4000 to higher.

For new homes, more construction may be required, but the changes may be easier to make due to the benefits of new home design. Secondary suites in new homes may range from $10,000 to higher.

Again, it is important to keep in mind that the total costs may be lower or higher depending on the home and the choice of construction.