Calgary homeowners looking to build a garage suite or carriage house in their backyard often wonder if there are any incentive programs they can take advantage of to help reduce the cost of such a project.
Well, there’s great news coming. According to the City of Calgary and its representatives, a new federal government-funded program is on the way that will help Calgarians afford this type of housing unit.
If you would like to take part in the city’s program and provide your feedback, please do so here:
Survey – Backyard Suites Incentive Program
As of today, we’ve been actively engaged with the city on the program, providing them with valuable feedback on how to maximize its results. While the exact details of the program’s qualifications and parameters are yet to be determined, you can rest assured that our team at Garage Suites is well-informed and in direct contact with the municipality. And we’re more than happy to provide you with detailed information on Calgary’s backyard suite incentive program once it launches, expected sometime later on in the first quarter of 2026.
If you’d like us to add your name and contact information to a notification list for when more program details are released, please contact our team today! Also see:
- What Permits are Required for Backyard Suite Builds in Calgary?
- How Much Living Space Can Garage Suites Have in Calgary?
What is the Housing Accelerator Fund?
The City of Calgary has received funding through the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), an initiative designed to encourage local governments to boost housing supply. The fund supports various Canadian municipalities in building new housing units.
Calgary’s exceptional progress toward its secondary suite targets has earned it recognition as a top performer by the feds, resulting in additional federal funding. This extra support has enabled the City of Calgary to introduce a Backyard Suite Incentive Program, which aims to stimulate substantial growth in garage suite construction over the next two years.
How Will the Program Make it Easier to Build a Garage Suite?
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#1 – Public Funding
First off, there will be a subsidy, subject to specific qualification criteria, for homeowners who want to build a backyard suite in Calgary. This could include providing funding for:
- Infrastructure improvements such as utility connections
- Permitting or professional consultation fees
- Accessibility improvements such as elevators or lifts
- Environmental considerations such as meeting a certain level of high energy efficiency
- Reducing the impact on neighbours through unique design solutions
Once again, please note that the exact details of funding for these projects are a decision for the municipality and have yet to be released. We will keep you posted!
#2 – Pre-Approved Plans & Floor Plans
Another potential idea is the use of pre-approved designs to help city planning officials expedite the issuance of development permits. Utilizing these plans may also help homeowners reduce costs associated with the front-end design and permitting phases of construction.
Pre-approved plans, if also prefabricated (something we are looking into), may help clients reduce costs even further, making backyard suites more accessible to all landowners across the city.
The municipality is also considering different types of floor plans and whether they would qualify for more or less funding based on their specs. For example, a larger two-bedroom, three-car garage suite may receive more funding than a single-car suite with a studio apartment above.
#3 – Streamlined Permits
The City of Calgary is also looking at how it can streamline permitting timelines, whether through dedicated file managers or by changing the systems used to evaluate and approve backyard suite designs.
Streamlining permit processes can reduce barriers to backyard suite development, as prolonged timelines can affect the financial viability of these projects.
With ever-changing geopolitics, including recent challenges in global markets, supply chains, and trade tariffs, quicker permitting can make a massive difference for homeowners who may be using investment cash or receiving financial assistance.
Get Expert Advice on Your Project
As Calgary’s leading go-to backyard suite builder, we take care of everything for you. From design and permits through to construction, we provide a full-service that allows you to sit back and enjoy the ride until you’re ready to move in!
If you’d like our team to provide you with updates on the Calgary backyard suite program once they happen, or would like to know more about garage suites in general, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime , and we will be happy to assist you!
