For the next 18 months, Calgarians wanting to add a secondary suite or upgrade an illegal suite to ensure it meets code, can skip the development approval process, and the associated fee, and apply for a building permit instead.
City officials say there will not be sanctions against owner of illegal suites as long as the property is situated in an area zoned for secondary suites.
Owners wishing to build a new suite will no longer need city approval as long as they have the proper permits to ensure the addition meets safety standards.
“We're not looking at penalizing folks that come in if they've had a suite that's been in existence for some time,” explained Cliff de Jong, senior special projects officer with the City of Calgary. “This is the perfect opportunity to come in, we're not going to be taking action for having that suite, we want you do is to come in and make the improvements that you need to make to make it safe.”
Bureaucracy has been an obstacle for many Calgarians wanting to build suites and the change is expected to expedite the process.
The Voelmle’s, who own one suite and have plans to build another on a separate property, say even without development permits. the inspection process can be a frustrating ordeal.
“I have done building before,” said Reidnhard Voelmle. “I’m a builder and it surprised me. It was more difficult than even a new house. This is sort of an unusual situation and everybody is struggling with how it affects the community.”
Voelmle says there are inconsistencies with city requirements.
The City of Calgary’s development permit exemption begins September 1, 2015 and is scheduled to last until March 3, 2017.
For additional information on eligibility requirements and the development permit exemption, visit City of Calgary Secondary Suites or call the City of Calgary Planning Services at 403-268-5311.
