Very good question! As Calgary’s premier garage suite builder, we get many inquiries from homeowners across the city about building a backyard suite without a back lane, or alley, per se. The short answer to this question is no, it is very unlikely that you can. However, some exceptions do exist.

Below, we go over various instances where building a backyard suite in Calgary without a lane is not doable, and others where not having an alley isn’t the end of your accessory residential unit aspirations.

When a Suite Without a Lane Won’t Work

If your lot has no back lane or alley and it’s not a corner lot, then it is almost impossible to build a backyard suite. The reason for this is that construction equipment, such as excavators and cranes, won’t be able to easily access the rear yard, which is required for various stages of any project. A rear lane is invaluable for material access; lumber drops, drywall install, and other tasks require ease of access to the suite from a lane.

Most homes in Calgary have around four feet of space on either side of the house before reaching the property line. This narrow pathway creates a challenging squeeze for such equipment and materials, making any transportation of wood, for example, a labourious and difficult task.

When a Property Does Not Have an Alley, but Instead a Public Pathway or Park

The same applies to properties that may overlook a public park or pathway. In communities like Varsity, for example, many homes have paved pathways that span the entire rear of their lot. Unfortunately, these publicly owned spaces cannot be used for or accessed in any capacity for private backyard suite construction.

When a Suite Without a Lane Might be Possible

Homes that have a front driveway that leads to a rear-yard garage may be able to build a backyard suite in Calgary. These types of builds are scattered throughout the city, but mostly in the southwest in communities like Bankview, Oakridge, and others in the area.

Having said that, several challenges remain with a backyard suite build on this type of lot. Those could include, but are not limited to, your power and utility connections, concrete costs if the driveway needs to be cut or replaced, and design considerations that would not impede your surrounding neighbours. In many instances, your power connection to the nearest transformer box, unless from a pole that spans through the yard in older inner city areas, could be very costly.

Corner Lots Can Be Special

Another scenario where you may be able to build a backyard suite without an alley includes corner lots. With a frontage to a main street from the rear yard, it may very well be possible to build a backyard suite. However, mailboxes, fire hydrants, or trees sometimes get in the way of building the suite.

Power and Utility Considerations Without a Lane

Additional considerations for homes without a front driveway include not having utilities. In many Calgary communities, such as Varsity, for example, homes without an alley typically have transformer boxes located near the front of the property.

This creates a significant challenge for your ENMAX connection to power the suite not only from a cost perspective, but also from a disruptive perspective related to shutting down a street, ripping up pavement, and disturbing the lawn on someone else’s lot. It’s not impossible to do this connection, but it would be very, very expensive.

Additionally, homes with a front driveway that leads to a rear-yard garage may have sewer and water utility lines coming from the back of the house, which may cause further challenges for the suite build.

Every Lot in Calgary is Unique

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Are you unsure if you can build a suite in your home without an alley? Contact us today to discuss your potential options, and we will be more than happy to investigate your lot further using online tools!

Garage Suites has an experienced team ready to serve you — put your trust in the pros to complete your garage suite project! Give us a call anytime at 403-797-4918 or contact us online to discuss your goals and we will be happy to chat — We look forward to helping you accomplish your backyard suite goals!