Basement Suite

Building a legal basement suite in Calgary is one of the most impactful investments a homeowner can make, providing rental income that can offset mortgage costs significantly. However, secondary suites must comply with the City of Calgary's secondary suite requirements, which include separate entrances, fire separation between units, independent smoke and CO detection systems, and specific egress requirements for every bedroom.

The Alberta Building Code mandates that each sleeping room must have an egress window with a minimum unobstructed opening of 3.77 square feet, large enough for emergency escape and rescue access. We handle the full permit application process and coordinate all inspections to ensure your suite achieves legal status.

Calgary's basement suite regulations have evolved significantly over the past decade, and the city has become increasingly supportive of secondary suites as a solution to housing density and affordability challenges. Our builds include fully independent kitchens with proper ventilation, dedicated electrical panels or sub-panels, separate HVAC zoning for tenant comfort, and sound insulation between floors to meet both code minimums and practical livability standards.

For older inner-city Calgary homes with lower ceiling heights, we employ creative solutions such as recessed lighting, strategic bulkhead design, and raised window wells to maximize the sense of space. Every suite is designed to meet current fire code separation requirements, including rated drywall assemblies and self-closing doors, ensuring your investment is both safe and legally compliant for long-term rental use.