A Standalone
Home In Your
Backyard
From $200,000
Backyard Housing Edmonton
Build a fully detached dwelling in your backyard—complete with kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and private entrance. Under Edmonton's Zoning Bylaw 20001, most residential lots now qualify. Generate $1,500-$2,200/month in rental income or create independent living space for family.
Edmonton's 2024 zoning changes opened the door—we build the suite.
Zoning Bylaw 20001 (effective January 2024) made backyard housing a permitted use on most residential lots. But building a detached dwelling requires Development Permits, Building Permits, NBC 2023 Alberta Edition compliance, and separate utility connections. We handle everything—design, permits, construction, inspections—so you get a legal suite without the complexity.
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What's Included
Everything your
suite needs
Every garden suite we build meets National Building Code 2023 Alberta Edition standards—the same requirements as any new home. Unlike basement suites, detached dwellings require full code compliance for structure, fire safety, and energy efficiency.
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A fully self-contained dwelling built to National Building Code 2023 Alberta Edition standards. Unlike basement suites, garden suites are classified as detached dwellings—not secondary suites—and must meet full building code requirements.
- Private entrance with covered entry feature (required by bylaw)
- Independent utility connections (water, sewer, gas, electrical)
- Option for separate utility meters
Full kitchen with quality cabinetry, countertops, and all essential appliances for comfortable daily living.
- Refrigerator, stove, and range hood
- Quality cabinetry and countertops
- Dedicated electrical circuits
Spacious 3 or 4-piece bathroom with contemporary fixtures, proper ventilation, and code-compliant plumbing throughout.
Open-concept living and dining space with large windows for natural light and 8-9 foot ceilings for an airy feel.
One or two bedrooms with code-compliant egress windows meeting minimum 3.77 sq ft opening requirements for emergency exit.
Dedicated laundry area with 240V electrical outlet, hot/cold water supply, drain connection, and dryer vent to exterior.
Patio, deck, or covered entry area for outdoor living—a key advantage of detached garden suites over basement apartments.
Single-level floor plans are available and popular for aging-in-place. Edmonton's Zoning Bylaw 20001 also offers "Inclusive Design" bonuses—meeting accessibility criteria allows additional floor area (70 m² vs 60 m² for second storeys) and 2% extra site coverage.
Garden suites require separate utility lines trenched from your main house—a significant component of overall project cost, but essential for independent operation.
- Dedicated electrical panel and service
- Independent HVAC system with separate thermostat
- Trenched water, sewer, and gas connections
INVESTMENT & RETURNS
Pricing
STARTING FROM $200,000
1/1
MOST GARDEN SUITES COST $200,000-$250,000. PRICE VARIES BY SIZE, FINISHES, AND SITE COMPLEXITY. UTILITY TRENCHING (WATER, SEWER, GAS, ELECTRICAL) IS A MAJOR COST FACTOR FOR DETACHED BUILDS.
Get Your Custom Quote$1,500-$2,200/MONTH RENTAL INCOME
FULLY DETACHED PRIVACY
MULTIGENERATIONAL LIVING
7-9% PROPERTY VALUE INCREASE
SINGLE-LEVEL OPTIONS
Garden Suite FAQs
Have questions? We have answers. If you don't see your question here, feel free to contact us.
Under Edmonton's Zoning Bylaw 20001 (effective January 2024), garden suites are now called "backyard housing." They're fully self-contained dwellings located in your rear yard with their own kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living areas—completely separate from your main house. Unlike basement suites, they're detached structures built to full National Building Code 2023 Alberta Edition standards.
Under Zoning Bylaw 20001, backyard housing has a maximum site coverage of 20%. Second storey floor area is limited to 60 m² (646 sq ft) per dwelling, or 70 m² (753 sq ft) if you meet Inclusive Design requirements. Maximum height is 6.8 metres, reduced to 4.3 metres where your rear lot line abuts certain residential zones. The building must be at least 3.0 metres from your main house and 1.2 metres from property lines (0.6 metres at an alley).
Garden suite construction in Edmonton typically ranges from $180,000 to $300,000+, with most projects falling between $200,000 and $250,000. Cost per square foot is approximately $180-$250 depending on size, finishes, and site complexity. Major cost factors include foundation work, utility connections (separate water, sewer, gas, and electrical lines must be trenched from the main house), and finish quality. We provide detailed quotes after a free site assessment.
Edmonton garden suites typically rent for $1,500-$2,200 per month depending on size, location, and finish quality. Detached suites command premium rents compared to basement suites because tenants value the privacy and independence. At $1,700/month, your suite generates $20,400 annually. With construction costs of $200,000-$250,000, typical payback is 10-12 years—plus you gain property value appreciation and flexible use options.
The complete process typically takes 6-12 months from initial consultation to move-in. This includes design and planning (4-6 weeks), Development Permit approval (can be same-day if auto-review criteria are met, otherwise 4-8 weeks), Building Permit review (approximately 14 days), and construction (4-6 months depending on complexity and weather). Edmonton construction season affects timelines for foundation and exterior work.
Yes. Garden suites (backyard housing) require both a Development Permit and a Building Permit from the City of Edmonton. The 2025 pre-application meeting fee is $190, and building permit fees are based on square footage. We handle the entire permit process, including drawings, applications, and inspections. Development Permits expire one year from approval, so timing matters.
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Build something that pays you back.
Turn your unused space into a legal, income-generating suite. We handle the permits, design, and construction—you collect the rent.
Free estimate · No obligation · 100% permit guarantee