Capital city's council passes bylaw permitting garage and garden suites on home lots

After a lengthy debate, Edmonton city council voted 9-2 to allow garage and/or garden suites on "almost any lot" in the capital.

The decision allows residents in single-family oriented zones, dubbed RF1 in Edmonton, to subdivide a property of almost 15-metres, as well as owners being able to build and rent out garage suites.

The vote was applauded by Edmonton Ward 1 Coun. Andrew Knack, who Tweeted the news as well as the fact Edmontonians now have the option to build two "skinny" homes on lots of 50 feet or greater.

With National Environment Week in full swing, Built Green Canada has issued a challenge to municipalities across the country to encourage green building as part of their policies.

Built Green, in a release, explained municipalities that incent builders to construct with more sustainable means using programs like Built Green reduce the load on civic infrastructure such as water, electrical, waste and more. 

Contrasting secondary suite acceptance in Alberta's two major centres

* Part three of a three part series on secondary suites in Calgary 

Once restricted to hockey rinks and football fields, the Battle of Alberta is now playing out on the streets of the province's two major cities.

While the final score is not in yet, Edmonton has jumped out as the early leader in its acceptance of legal secondary suites.