Suzanne Oel – Division 4
Greetings! Sharing my News Update…
Secondary Suites – What’s new?
Amendments to the Land Use Bylaw pertaining to Secondary Suites were adopted in January 2024. To review the revised Bylaw, the “Secondary Suites in Foothills County Information Guide”, or apply, visit: www.foothillscountyab.ca/development/land-use/secondary-suites
The new Bylaw Amendments:
- Provide for Secondary Suites on parcels under 2 acres in size and within Hamlet boundaries (except Heritage Pointe and Priddis Greens).
- Allow stand-alone Secondary Suites (Secondary Suite, Detached).
- Increase maximum allowable size for Secondary Suites across the municipality.
- Increase flexibility for the size requirements pertaining to Secondary Suite, Principal, within the basement of principal dwelling or above an attached garage.
- Remove the minimum size restriction for Secondary Suites.
- Add provisions to allow for some Manufactured and Mobile homes to be used as Secondary Suites.
- Include servicing provisions for Secondary Suites within the Land Use Bylaw.
- Add Secondary Suites to the lists of permitted or discretionary uses in additional land use districts.
What is a Secondary Suite? A Secondary Suite is a subordinate dwelling unit located on a parcel, in addition to the principal dwelling unit, which constitutes a self- contained living accommodation unit comprised of kitchen facilities, sleeping amenities, and washroom facilities consisting of a full bathroom including tub and/or shower fixture and has a separate entrance or includes a door which can be physically closed or locked off from the remainder of the principal dwelling.
What types of Secondary Suites are allowed? There are two types of Secondary Suites permitted in the County. The Secondary Suite, Principal, is a Secondary Suite which is located within the principal dwelling unit, in an extension or addition to the principal dwelling, or above a garage attached to the principal dwelling. The Secondary Suite, Detached, is a Secondary Suite which is detached from and subordinate to, the principal dwelling located on the same parcel. A Secondary Suite, Detached, may be a stand-alone suite or a suite within or attached to, an accessory building or detached garage on the same parcel as the principal dwelling.
Where can Secondary Suites be developed? Please refer to the land use districts within the Foothills County Land Use Bylaw to determine where a Secondary Suite is listed as a permitted or discretionary use. Where “Secondary Suite” is not listed as a permitted or discretionary use under your land use district, you will require a land use amendment approval in advance of making application for a Development Permit approval.
What size of Secondary Suites can be built? The size allowance of a Secondary Suite varies depending on the type of Secondary Suite and in some cases, the parcel size on which it is located. A secondary suite could be up to 1,400 square feet. See the guide for more details.
Find these Frequently Asked Questions online and in the Guide:
- What type of Secondary Suites are allowed in Foothills County?
- Where am I allowed to develop a Secondary Suite?
- What size of Secondary Suite can I build?
- Can a Manufactured or Mobile Home be used as a Secondary Suite, Detached?
- How does a Secondary Suite fall within dwelling density?
- What permits are required to build a Secondary Suite?
- Can I bring an existing un-permitted suite into compliance?
- What is the process to get approval for a Secondary Suite?
- What do we consider when making decisions on a Secondary Suite?
- What are the servicing requirements for a Secondary Suite?
- What happens if I don’t get approvals for my Secondary Suite?
- What is the Foothills County Secondary Suite Registry?
- How do I apply for additional 911 emergency municipal addressing?
- Where do I find more information about Secondary Suites?
Volunteers Needed: Congratulations to all Community Associations volunteers for your contributions! Please consider joining with the teams in our community to make a difference and to add your valuable perspective and a helping hand. Currently, we are looking for volunteers for the Treasurer of the Priddis – Red Deer Lake Recreation
Board, and a Division 4 Representative to the Northwest Foothills Recreation Board. If you would like to know more about these positions and how to apply, please contact me.
For Other News & Updates:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel/
Email: Suzanne.Oel@FoothillsCountyAB.ca
With Best Regards,
Suzanne
