Secondary suites, defined by the City as "a self-contained accessory living space consisting of a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen developed within or on the same property as a single family home," require a strict set of guidelines to be recognized as legal, safe and conforming.

Under current guidelines, the biggest obstacle for many homeowners seeking to add a secondary suite is zoning. With secondary suites in homes zoned R-1, R-C1 or R-C1L requiring the "lengthy process" of obtaining a Land Use Amendment (along with the proper development permits) to be recognized as legal, even those homes in zones which allow the suites still need to comply with several guideline to be deemed legal.

City looking into laneway housing as a residential option for Calgarians

While Calgary council's stance on secondary suites remains at a stalemate, laneway housing is being touted as a potential solution to ongoing housing shortages in the city.

Laneway houses are self-contained living spaces consisting of a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen located within or on the same property as a detached home.

Suites could be detached secondary suites located in the backyard or adjacent to the alley of a home.
Calgarian Lesley McLaughlin lived in an above-garage suite in the southwest community of Rosscarrock for two years.