Speak Up

Advocating for Secondary Suites

April 19, 2011: Zoning for New Communities

On April 18, City Council passed a motion to allow secondary suites in all new communities. This will make it easier for people to enter the housing market and adds more affordable rental housing. The CHF sees this as a step in the right direction and will continue to support legalizing secondary suites when City Council reconvenes on the issue in December.

March 8, 2011: City Council Decision

On Monday, March 7, 2011, Calgary City Council debated long into the night regarding secondary suites. In the end, there was a decision made to defer the decision until December so that administration could work out more of the details and report back to Council. Here are some details of what passed:

Administration will examine the question of allowing secondary suites as a legal use in all land use districts with specific consideration to the development of a new enforcement approach to focus on suites that are unsafe or otherwise non-compliant.
The Council directed Administration to consult with community members about amending the Land Use Bylaw to rezone R-1, RC-1 and RC-1L areas within a 2.5 km radius of Mount Royal University, SAIT, ACAD Bow Valley College and the University of Calgary for attached and detached secondary suites.
Administration has also been direct to consult on rezoning R-1, RC-1 and RC-1L areas within 400 metres of an LRT station or BRT stop.

The Council did make it easier for people in areas which currently allow attached secondary suites to set these up. Currently, these areas allow secondary suites as a discretionary use, which means homeowners require a development permit. Under a bylaw amendment, suites will become a permitted use. Attached suites in such land use districts would not require a development permit, but may require a building permit, while detached forms of secondary suites will remain as a discretionary use.

Next Steps

As the next stage in consultation gets underway, the CHF and community will continue to advocate for secondary suites. We invite you to lend your voice on the issue! Please see below for facts on secondary suites and information on contacting City Council.

Why is the Calgary Homeless Foundation in favour of legalizing secondary suites?

Calgary needs more affordable housing for lower-income residents.
Secondary suites are the most cost effective way to add affordable housing.
Secondary suites are a positive part of the community.
Most Calgarians already support secondary suites.

For details, please read our Factsheet and Q&A on secondary suites in Calgary. You can also view Mayor Nenshi's video on secondary suites here.

What can I do?

Contact your member of City Council to tell them you support secondary suites in Calgary.
- Don't know who your Alderman is? Go to the City of Calgary website and view the ward map or fill out the contact form provided.
- E-mail alderweb@calgary.ca and your e-mail will be redirected.
- Call your Alderman: phone 403-268-2430 and your call will be redirected.
- Fax your Alderman: fax to 403-268-8091 or 403-268-3823.
Tweet your support to #suiteyyc.
Write a Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper.
Pass this information on and encourage others to speak up too.