Backyard suites, also known as garden suites, carriage houses, or garage suites, are an excellent way to add value to your property, create rental income, or provide flexible living space for family members. At garagepermits.ca, we specialize in creating architectural drawings that meet all of Calgary’s permitting requirements, making it easy for you to bring your vision to life.
A backyard suite is a self-contained residential unit located on the same property as a primary dwelling. These suites typically include a kitchen, bathroom(s), bedroom(s), and living space. From the City of Calgary’s perspective, backyard suites contribute to increased density and offer a solution to the current housing crisis.
Backyard suites can be built above a detached garage or as standalone structures. Whether you’re creating a rental unit or housing for family members, you’ll want to plan properly to make sure your suite is functional, comfortable, and compliant with both the National Building Code: 2023 Alberta Edition Vol 1 and the Calgary Land Use Bylaw 1P2007.
Efficient Layouts: We design floorplans that make the most of limited square footage, ensuring every room serves a purpose.
Natural Light: Strategic window placements enhance the living experience while maintaining privacy.
Accessibility: We can incorporate features like wider doorways and barrier-free bathrooms for future-proofed designs.
The City of Calgary requires backyard suites to include a designated outdoor amenity space that is separate from the main dwelling’s amenity space. To accommodate this, we can help you plan:
Step 1: Consultation: Share your vision with us, and we’ll guide you through the design process.
Step 2: Drafting: We’ll create permit-ready drawings tailored to your needs and Calgary’s bylaw regulations.
Step 3: Approval Support: Submit your application with confidence using our detailed drawings.
Step 4: Build Your Suite: Once approved, you’re ready to start construction!
Garage suites or backyard suites require some planning and custom designs, so we look at each project on an individual basis. To get an idea of drawing cost and timelines for your garage suite plans, contact us today, and we’ll be happy to discuss your specific situation and provide expert guidance to help you get the garage suite you want.
Our blueprints are pre-optimized for municipal permit processes across Alberta, including:
✔️ Zoning Bylaw Compliance. Whether it’s the Calgary Land Use Bylaw IP2007 or the Town of Cochrane Land Use Bylaw 01-2022, we know the rules for setbacks, access right-of-way restrictions, eave projections, and more.
✔️ Code-Ready Designs: All of our affordable garage plans meet National Building Code: 2023 Alberta Edition Vol. 1 standards and requirements for fast and easy municipal building permit approval.
✔️ City-Approved Drafting Standards: Our detached garage drawings have led to over 500+ successful building permits being issued in Alberta since 2011.
We are Alberta building code and Calgary land use bylaw specialists, and we know the permit world inside out, backwards and forwards. From standard garage builds to complex custom projects such as carriage houses and backyard suites, our goal is simple:
garagepermits.ca guarantees the municipal approval of all detached garages that are listed as permitted uses in their respective land use districts, comply with all requirements set out in the National Building Code: 2023 Alberta Edition Vol 1, the corresponding municipality’s land use bylaw or zoning bylaw, and do not require special consideration or relaxation of any easements, setbacks, or right-of-ways.