Legal basement suites in Edmonton
A separate, rentable suite built to code, from design and permits to final inspection. Start with a free in-home estimate to see what your basement allows.
What a legal suite includes
A legal suite is a separate home inside yours, with its own kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and entrance. It has to meet building and fire code so you can rent it with confidence.
Separate entrance
Private access for your tenant, from outside or a shared landing, depending on your home and municipality.Fire and smoke separation
Drywall walls and ceilings that seal the suite off from your home, with solid, self-closing doors.Separate heating and ventilation
A second furnace, or another approved heating and ventilation setup, so each home has its own system.Full kitchen and bathroom
Cabinets, counters, appliance hookups and a full bathroom inside the suite.Sound control
Insulated walls and ceilings between the units so you and your tenant don't hear each other.Permits and inspections
Development and building permits plus trade permits, which your builder can apply for and book.What makes a suite legal in Alberta
Suites follow extra rules in the building code, and every municipality adds its own zoning rules on top.
Its own heating and ventilation
Since 2006, Alberta requires independent heating and ventilation for the main home and the suite, for example two furnaces or permanent alternate heating with separate ventilation.
Smoke-tight separation
At least 1/2-inch drywall on the ceiling and both sides of the walls between the units, with joints taped and every opening sealed. Doors between units are solid and self-closing.
Alarms that talk to each other
Smoke and CO alarms in both units, hardwired and interconnected, so an alarm in one home sounds in the other.
Headroom and exits
A minimum ceiling of 1.95 m in living spaces (1.85 m under beams and ducts), code-sized bedroom windows, and an exit leading directly outside.
Summarized from the National Building Code – 2023 Alberta Edition and municipal guides. Rules change and vary by municipality; your builder can confirm what applies to your home, and your area page links to your municipality's permit office.
What shapes the cost of a legal suite
Every basement is different, so a price list wouldn't tell you much. At your free estimate, a local builder looks at your space, talks through options that fit your budget and follows up with a written quote for your plan.
From estimate to finished basement
Free estimate
A local builder walks the space with you and talks through ideas.Plan and quote
A written quote for your plan, to review at your own pace.Permits and build
Drawings and permits first, then the work starts.Final walkthrough
Final inspection, then your new space is ready to enjoy.Popular basement layouts
More basement ideas →
Open family room
One big space for movies, games and guests
Bedroom + full bathroom
Room for guests, a teenager or a home office
Legal basement suite
Separate entrance, kitchen and bathroom, ready to rentRead before you start
All guides →Legal Basement Suites questions
What makes a basement suite "legal"?
It's approved under zoning with a development permit, built under a building permit and trade permits, and passes inspection. That protects you, your tenant and your insurance.
Can I turn my existing basement into a legal suite?
Often, yes. The most common hurdles are ceiling height, the entrance, bedroom windows and heating. Your builder can check them at the free estimate.
Does the suite need its own furnace?
It needs its own heating and ventilation. That can be a second furnace, or another setup the code allows, such as permanent alternate heating with separate ventilation.
How long do permits take?
It depends on the municipality. A suite needs both a development and a building permit, so it takes longer than a regular basement. Your builder can give you an estimated timeline with your quote.
Is my home allowed to have a suite?
In most of the region, suites are allowed in single detached homes, and often in semi-detached and duplex homes. Rules on parking, entrances and size differ by municipality. See your area page, and ask your builder at the estimate.
Is there financing for building a suite?
CMHC offers insured mortgage refinancing for homeowners adding a self-contained suite, based on the value after the work. Ask your lender if it fits your situation.