Calgary Laneway Homes and Secondary Suites
This city just keeps on growing!
How can we make better use of the property we already have?
An increasingly popular answer is to ‘add a door’ by creating a second living space.
An ADU is a self-contained unit located on your property. The suite has its own kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area, and entrance. ADUs are laneway homes, backyard suites, garden suites, garage suites, and, while not technically a separate building, let’s talk about basement and secondary suites too.
Calgary laneway homes are almost always in the backyard, above a detached garage, and facing the rear lane. They’re compact, efficient, and flexible over time.
Common reasons to build a laneway home:
• an apartment for rental income
• a home for aging parents, with privacy and independence
• a home office, studio, or guest house
• transitional space for adult children
Benefits:
• preserved yard space, relative to ‘development’ such as a 4 or 6 plex
• works well on narrower lots
• maintains privacy between the main home and the suite
Laneway homes are becoming more common in Calgary as a gentler way to increase density without changing the neighbourhood’s character.
Basement and Secondary Suites
Basement and secondary suites add a door within your existing home, cost-effective because the structure already exists.
Considerations:
a separate entrance
ceiling height
fire separation and soundproofing
egress windows
independent heating and ventilation may be required by code
The most successful ADUs and secondary suites are designed with long-term flexibility. Today, the suite is a rental - in five years, it becomes guest space. Good design will anticipate a few shifts in the suite’s purpose.
Secondary suites improve the kind of density that supports a vibrant walkable neighbourhood – where there are enough families to support nearby groceries, coffee shops, a park full of kids, and places where people naturally connect.
Why add a secondary suite?
Similar to laneway homes, people choose secondary suites for:
lifestyle space – home office, gym, creative studio, guest retreat
multi-generational living, supporting aging parents while preserving family connection & independence
rental income – creating long term income potential
flexible family space – housing for adult children or extended family
What about regulations?
Regulations vary by neighbourhood. Calgary-specific considerations include:
zoning, building codes, permits
lot size, setbacks, parking, utility servicing
building height limit
Calgary’s regulatory environment is evolving to support housing supply. What hasn’t changed is the requirement for thoughtful planning to coordinate with your lot’s particular description and zoning. A feasibility review is a simple way to know two or three options for your property.
Set up a site visit with our builder any time to find out what’s possible on your lot.
Process - like any project, the approach is:
a longer planning phase, for a shorter construction phase and less surprises
a clear and detailed estimate of costs, start to finish
clean detailing, a beautiful space
energy efficiency for warmth, quiet, low utility bills - a small footprint
a practical layout, easy flow, and super smart space planning
durable materials for long-term value
Design.
.. matters more than size. Small spaces require creative thoughtful design.
Natural light, ceiling height, window placement, privacy between buildings, and circulation all have an outsized impact in smaller homes.
A well-designed 600–900 square foot home can feel bright, comfortable, and generous while a poorly designed suite can feel cramped.
Is adding a door right for you?
What is the primary purpose?
family, rental, flexibility?
how long do you plan to stay in your home?
how will a secondary unit impact privacy and yard space?
what does your zoning allow?
what is your realistic budget, including servicing and permitting?
Is a secondary suite a smart financial move?
A well-designed laneway home or basement suite:
generates stable rental income
can significantly increase your property value
turns unused space into an asset
Most of our clients finance their project using the equity they’ve built in their home, responsibly and within their budget.
If you have a mortgage - you can access some of the equity you’ve built or, if there’s a better deal with a different lender, switch your mortgage provider. In case your mortgage renewal is in the near future - paying particular attention to the renewal date can save $1000s.
If you’re mortgage-free, congrats! The process of accessing your equity is quite similar.
If this sounds easy - you may be a mortgage nerd!
If it sounds complex - that’s normal. A phone call with an independent mortgage broker to answer a few simple questions allows you to easily compare compare available products based on your situation.
Keep in mind that an offer from your bank will be limited to the bank’s product only.
Our highest recommendation goes to Bill Rainbow, mostly because the call will feel like a chat with a well-educated friend who’s genuinely exited about the possibilities your equity can provide.
Our experience with Bill taught us that mortgage financing is the least expensive money available to our clients, because of all of the time they’ve spent making disciplined mortgage payments.
During a Fall 2025 project, we checked our client’s rate against a standard LOC (line of credit) type of construction loan and found that our client’s costs were nearly half, a game-changing financial opportunity for the family.
Questions?
Whether you’re considering a laneway home, basement suite, or any version of ADU, we’re happy to answer your questions:
• what will it cost?
• design, design, design
• zoning and permitting
• energy efficiency
Adding a door can support multigenerational connection while honouring independence, it can be a cornerstone of your family’s financial success, it can be a gentle addition to your neighbourhood’s evolution to a vibrant corner of this wonderful city we love to call home.
Let us know your ideas – we’re excited about them too!
Sincerely,
Jeff de Paiva
Metrik Developments
Calgary Custom Homes & Renovations
City of Calgary Secondary Suite and Laneway Intel - https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html
Secondary Suite Incentive Program - https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html
To book an call or in-person site visit with our builder any time - https://metrik.youcanbook.me/