A secondary suite is generally defined as any self-contained dwelling unit that is located within a primary dwelling unit, where both dwelling units are registered under the same land title.
A dwelling unit means a self contained building or a portion of a building usually containing cooking, eating, living, sleeping and sanitary facilities and used as a permanent residence by a household.
Affordable housing has become a significant concern for Red Deer. In response, The City’s Affordable Housing Strategy (2006) set out a number of recommendations regarding secondary suites, including:
- changes to secondary suite regulations,
- legalizing existing secondary suites, and
- creating new secondary suites in established neighbourhoods.
Land Use Bylaw changes were brought to Council on November 16 and passed first reading. Council approved changes to the Land Use Bylaw in regards to Secondary Suites on December 14, 2009.
 Secondary suite brochure - A "suite" thing for Red Deer
Secondary suite information sheet - Adding a suite to your home
Secondary suite information sheet - Getting your suite up to code
Land Use Bylaw Amendments 3357/Z-2009 - Secondary Suites
Secondary Suites Application Form
Please review the following for more information on the Existing Secondary Suite Criteria as per The Alberta Fire Code 2006:
Alberta Fire Code 2006
Maintenance and Testing of Smoke Alarms
Inspection, Testing & Maintenance form
For more information about secondary suites, please contact:
Inspections & Licensing
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8208
inspections@reddeer.ca
Background information:
In January 2008, The City of Red Deer engaged Western Management Consultants to consult with the larger community and defined stakeholder groups to identify stakeholder observations, suggestions and input concerning how secondary suites should be managed in the future.
Secondary suites online survey results
On August 25, 2008, the report was brought to Red Deer City Council for review as a planning tool and returned to Council on September 22, 2008 for debate and public comment.
Western Management Consultants Secondary suites project report, July 2008
In March of 2009, an Implementation Report was brought to Red Deer City Council for review. A public open house was held on March 19, 2009 and a follow up report including public open house comments was brought back to Council on April 20, 2009 and was approved as a planning tool. The approved report can be viewed below.
Implementation Report - Approved April 20, 2009 |
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