Property Evaluation Hub

Eligible Zoning Districts

After the 2024 blanket rezoning, these districts generally allow backyard suites, garage suites, and secondary suites. If a property is in one of these zones, it's worth pursuing.

If a property shows a different district, check the City's secondary suite page — the 2024 rezoning expanded eligibility significantly. When in doubt, call 311.

Garage Suite Checklist

Everything to verify before quoting a garage suite project.

• Zoning district is eligible Must be in R-CG, R-C1, R-C1L, R-C1N, R-C2, H-GO, M-CG, or M-G
• Lot coverage under limit (45-55%) Total building coverage (house + garage + suite) must stay under the district limit. R-CG is typically 45%.
• Setbacks: 1.2m rear, 1.2m side Measure from property line to proposed building edge on all sides
• Max height: 6.5m Measured from grade to the highest point of the roof
• Max suite area: 85 sq m (~915 sq ft) The dwelling unit above the garage cannot exceed this
• Lane access confirmed Is there a rear lane? What condition? Wide enough for construction vehicles?
• Existing garage condition assessed Can the existing structure support a second floor? Or is demo + rebuild the better path?
• Parking requirement: 1 additional stall May need to provide one additional parking stall on-site
• Utilities: water, sewer, electrical location Where does water/sewer come in? Electrical panel location and capacity? Gas line available?

Basement Suite Checklist

Critical measurements and requirements for a legal basement suite.

• Basement exists — finished or unfinished? Note current state: bare concrete, partially finished, or fully finished requiring demo
• Ceiling height: min 1.95m (6'5") living areas Bathrooms can be 1.85m (6'1"). Measure from finished floor to underside of joists. This is a deal-breaker if too low.
• Egress windows meet code Min 0.35 sq m unobstructed opening per bedroom, minimum 380mm wide. Must open without tools or keys.
• Separate entrance exists or is feasible Required. Can be a shared entrance with a lockable door separating suites.
• Fire separation: 45-minute rating Requires 5/8" Type X drywall on ceiling between floors. Check for penetrations that break the fire barrier.
• Plumbing: drain locations identified Where are existing rough-ins? Kitchen and bathroom drain locations affect layout and cost.
• Electrical: panel capacity check Does the panel need upgrading? 100A may not be enough for two suites. May need 200A upgrade.
• HVAC: separate or shared system? Separate system is ideal. Shared works with zone dampers and individual thermostats.
• Moisture: no signs of water infiltration Check walls, floor edges, window wells. Efflorescence, stains, or musty smell = problem.
• Sound: STC 50 rating between floors Required between dwelling units. May need resilient channel + insulation in ceiling assembly.

Custom Garage Checklist

Key items for a standalone garage build (without suite).

• Lot coverage check All buildings combined must stay under the district's maximum lot coverage
• Setbacks: 1.2m rear and side Standard for accessory buildings. Verify for the specific district.
• Max height: 6.5m without suite Measured from grade to highest roof point
• Lane access width confirmed Is the lane wide enough for equipment, concrete trucks, and daily use?
• Existing garage: demo needed? If replacing, budget for demolition and disposal. Check for asbestos in older structures.
• Foundation: below frost line (4 feet in Calgary) All footings must be minimum 4 feet deep to prevent frost heave
• Suite-ready option discussed? Reinforced foundation and framing for future second-floor suite. Much cheaper to build in now than retrofit.
• Heated option: gas line and insulation Is there a gas line available? Plan for insulation and vapor barrier if heated.

Deck Checklist

What to check before quoting a deck build.

• Permit required if 24"+ above grade Any deck more than 24 inches above finished grade requires a building permit
• Setbacks: typically 1.5m from property line Verify for the specific district. Some allow closer for low decks.
• Lot coverage (deck counts toward total) Covered decks count toward lot coverage. Uncovered may be exempt — check the district rules.
• Footings: below frost line (4 feet) Sonotubes or helical piles must reach below 4 feet in Calgary
• Railings: required if 24"+ above grade Minimum 42" high, maximum 4" picket spacing. Must withstand lateral load.
• Ledger board attachment checked If attaching to the house, verify the rim joist can handle the load. Flashing is critical to prevent rot.
• Grade and drainage assessed Water must drain away from the house. Note any grading issues or drainage concerns.
• Access for materials delivery Can lumber and materials be delivered to the build area? Gate width, side access, crane needed?

Common Setback Rules

Quick reference for R-CG and common residential districts. Always verify with the current bylaw for the specific land use district.

Pre-Visit Preparation Checklist

Do this before EVERY site visit — for any service.

• Look up the property on Calgary Property Map Note the zoning district, land use, and any flags
• Check lot dimensions on Assessment Search Get the exact lot width, depth, and area. Note building age and square footage.
• Open the Measure Tool and map the property Open Measure Tool — draw the lot boundary and existing structures to get measurements
• Calculate lot coverage All buildings / lot area = lot coverage %. Must be under the district maximum.
• Check for existing development or building permits Any active DPs or BPs on the property? Past permits that affect what's possible?
• Check for restrictive covenants on SPIN2 If the property is in a newer community, check for covenants that may restrict building ($10/search)
• Review the service-specific checklist above Go through the relevant checklist (garage suite, basement suite, garage, or deck) to know what to look for on-site
• Save the report with client name Use the save button below to save your research with the client name and address
• Print or copy measurements for the visit Bring your measurements and notes to the site visit — screenshot or print from the Measure Tool

Calgary-Specific Notes

Important things to know when working in Calgary.

• 311 is your friend. Call 311 for any zoning questions. They can confirm what's allowed on a specific parcel before you commit to a project.

• 2024 blanket rezoning changed everything. Most residential lots in Calgary were rezoned to R-CG, which allows secondary suites and backyard suites. Properties that couldn't qualify before may now be eligible.

• DP processing: 4–12 weeks currently. Development permit timelines vary. Simple DPs can be faster, complex ones with relaxations take longer. Apply early.

• BP processing: 4–12 weeks after DP approval. Building permits are a separate process after the DP is approved. Don't start construction until the BP is issued.

• Inspection bookings: book early. City inspectors are busy. Book your inspections well in advance, especially framing and final. Delays here stall the whole project.

• Winter building: plan accordingly. Foundation work typically stops in deep winter (below -20°C). Plan your schedule so foundations are poured before freeze-up, or budget for winter concrete measures.