Suites on acreages and small farms
Outlined below is a quick reference to the zoning regulations for secondary suites on acreages and small farms:
RC Country Residential (typically 2-5 acre lots within a subdivision)
Suite within or attached to the house
- Maximum height is 10 m (32.8 ft.)
- Maximum site coverage 100 sq. m (and cannot exceed 40% of gross floor area of main house)
- Side yard setbacks 7.5 m (24.6 ft.), except it is 10 m (32.8 ft.) from a flanking road
Rear and front yard setbacks 10 m (32.8 ft.) - Setback from a rural road is 40 m (131.2 ft.) from centreline
Suite within an accessory building (for garages not attached to house)
- Maximum height 6.6 m (21.7 ft.)
- Maximum site coverage 100 sq. m (cannot exceed 40% of gross floor area of the main house) in addition, maximum site coverage of all accessory structures is 225 sq. m (2422 sq. ft.)
- Side yard setbacks 7.5 m (24.6 ft.), except it is 10 m (32.8 ft.) from a flanking road
- Rear and front yard setbacks 10 m (32.8 ft.)
- Setback from a rural road is 40 m (131.2 ft.) from centreline
RA Rural Residential/Agriculture (typically more than 5 acres, outside a subdivision)
Suite within or attached to the house
- Maximum height 10 m (32.8 ft.)
- Maximum site coverage 100 sq. m (and cannot exceed 40% of gross floor area of the main house)
- Side yard setbacks 7.5 m (24.6 ft.)
- Rear and front yard setbacks 10 m (32.8 ft.)
- Setback from a rural road is 40 m (131.2 ft.) from centreline
Suite within an accessory building (for garages not attached to house)
-
Maximum height 8 m (26.2 ft.) if in accessory building (not attached to principal dwelling)
- Maximum site coverage 100 sq. m (and cannot exceed 40% of gross floor area of principal dwelling), in addition, the maximum site coverage of all accessory structures is 425 sq. m (4575 sq. ft.)
- Side yard setbacks 7.5 m (24.6 ft.), except it is 10 m (32.8 ft.) from a flanking road
- Rear and front yard setbacks 10 m (32.8 ft.)
- Setback from a rural road is 40 m (131.2 ft.) from centreline
At least three on-site parking stalls (two for the main house and one for the secondary suite) must be provided.
In all cases buildings cannot be located on or over a utility right-of-way or easement.
Secondary suites cannot be considered within 3km of the Heavy Industrial Transition Overlay or within Alberta's Heartland Area Structure Plan boundary.
A suite cannot be considered within a house containing a group home, care centre, family care dwelling or bed and breakfast.
The above information is intended to provide a basic understanding of the regulations affecting secondary suites and should not be used as an official interpretation of the various regulations currently in effect. For full details and interpretation of Land Use Bylaw 8-2001 contact Planning and Development Services.
What to consider before you get started...
Last updated: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Page ID: 2921