# 1to1 Plans Calgary

> Life-size floor plan walkthrough studio in Calgary. Your plans are shown at true scale on a walkable LED floor, with movable walls and furniture, so you can walk the space before it is built.

1to1 Plans Calgary is a full-scale planning studio in northeast Calgary. Homeowners, renovators, builders, architects and designers bring their floor plans here to walk them at true size before construction, so they can check room sizes, flow and furniture fit while a change is still an edit to a drawing.

## Key facts
- Business: 1to1 Plans Calgary, part of the 1to1 Plans network (https://1to1plans.com)
- What it does: shows floor plans at full size (1:1) on a walkable LED floor, lit from inside the floor, so people can walk a home or commercial space before it is built. Movable walls and furniture, a wall-size elevation screen, changes made on the spot, and a recording of every session.
- Address: Unit 105, 2750 22 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7L9 (South Airways, northeast Calgary)
- Hours: Every day, 9 am to 5 pm, by appointment only
- Phone: (403) 222-0536
- Email: calgary@1to1plans.com
- Session length: two hours (a 60-minute demo and a 30-minute call are also available)
- Price: quoted for each plan, by its size and type; send the plan for a quote (https://1to1planscalgary.com/pricing); nothing to pay when booking
- Files: floor plans as PDF or DWG, at least three days before the session
- Owner: Said Halat, Licensed electrician, working in construction since 2011, founder of his own electrical company in 2016.
- Opened: 22 January 2025
- Serves: Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane, Okotoks, Strathmore, Rocky View County, Foothills County
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1to1plans.yyc/

## Start here
- [Home](https://1to1planscalgary.com/): What the studio does, who it's for, what it costs and how to book.
- [How it works](https://1to1planscalgary.com/how-it-works): The two-hour session step by step, what to bring and what you leave with.
- [Pricing](https://1to1planscalgary.com/pricing): How sessions are quoted, what every session includes, and the quote form.

## Who it's for
- [Homeowners](https://1to1planscalgary.com/homeowners): For people building a custom home: what to check before permits and framing.
- [Builders](https://1to1planscalgary.com/builders): For builders and contractors: sign-offs that stick and fewer change orders.
- [Architects and designers](https://1to1planscalgary.com/architects-and-designers): For architects, residential designers and interior designers presenting to clients.
- [Commercial and multi-family](https://1to1planscalgary.com/commercial): Offices, clinics, restaurants, retail and multi-family unit plans.
- [Renovations and suites](https://1to1planscalgary.com/renovations): Renovations, basements, additions and backyard or garage suites.

## Visit and book
- [The studio](https://1to1planscalgary.com/studio): The LED floor, the elevation screen, the furniture, and recent sessions.
- [Visit](https://1to1planscalgary.com/visit): Address, hours, directions and how to reach us.
- [Book a session](https://1to1planscalgary.com/book): Book online, book a demo or a call, or send your plans for a quote.

## Proof and answers
- [Videos](https://1to1planscalgary.com/videos): Every studio video with its own page, description and transcript.
- [Reviews](https://1to1planscalgary.com/reviews): Endorsements from Calgary builders and designers, and where to find reviews.
- [FAQ](https://1to1planscalgary.com/faq): Everything people ask before booking.
- [About](https://1to1planscalgary.com/about): Who runs the studio and why it exists.
- [Guides](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog): Planning guides for Calgary homeowners, renovators and builders.

## Guides
### Costs (https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/topic/costs)
- [Bathroom renovation cost in Calgary in 2026, by layout](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary)
- [Cost to build a garage in Calgary in 2026: single to triple](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary)
- [Kitchen renovation cost in Calgary in 2026: prices by layout](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary)
- [Cost to build a house in Calgary in 2026, and the cost people forget](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/cost-to-build-a-custom-home-in-calgary)
- [How much does it cost to move a wall in a house in Calgary?](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/cost-to-move-a-wall-after-framing-calgary)
- [Home addition cost in Calgary in 2026: prices and permits](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary)

### Suites and permits (https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/topic/suites)
- [Backyard suites in Calgary: 2026 rules, incentives and costs](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/backyard-suites-calgary-rules-costs)
- [Calgary building permit fees and timelines in 2026](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/calgary-building-permits)
- [Legal basement suites in Calgary: permits, costs and layout mistakes](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/legal-basement-suite-calgary)

### Planning (https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/topic/planning)
- [Airdrie building permit fees, suite rules and timelines in 2026](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/airdrie-building-permit)
- [How long does it take to get a building permit in Calgary in 2026?](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/calgary-new-home-permit-time)
- [Rocky View County building permit fees and rules in 2026](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/rocky-view-county-building-permit)
- [Floor plan VR vs 3D renderings vs tape vs a life-size walkthrough](https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/life-size-floor-plan-vs-vr-vs-3d-rendering)

## Room sizes
- [Room sizes: 8 guides](https://1to1planscalgary.com/room-sizes): What Alberta's building code sets for hallways, stairs, egress windows, ceilings, bedrooms, garages and accessible bathrooms, cited and drawn to scale.

## Commercial layouts
- [Commercial layouts: 6 guides](https://1to1planscalgary.com/commercial): Planning guides for Calgary daycares, restaurants, medical clinics and dental offices: the Alberta rules that shape the plan, and what 2025 fit-outs declared.

## Common questions
- **What is a life-size floor plan walkthrough?** It's a way to check a floor plan by walking it. Your plan is shown at full size (1:1 scale) on a walkable floor, so you can stand in each room and see how big it really is before anything is built. It's also called a full-scale floor plan, a walkable floor plan, or floor plan projection. In Calgary, the 1to1 Plans studio shows plans on an LED floor.
- **What happens in a session?** Your floor plan is shown at full size on the studio's walkable LED floor, room by room, and the elevations go up on a wall-size screen. You walk through the house, move studio walls and furniture into place, and change the layout on the spot. You leave with a recording of the session.
- **How much does a session cost?** Every session is quoted for the plan. The price depends on its size and the kind of project: a house, a suite or addition, a commercial space, or multi-family unit plans. Send the plan through the quote form on the pricing page and the studio replies with a price and a time. The quote is free.
- **Do I pay when I book?** No. There is nothing to pay when you book a session online.
- **How is this different from a 3D rendering?** A rendering is a picture on a screen, and your eye has to guess the scale. On the floor you stand in each room at its real size, next to real furniture, and feel the distances with your own body.
- **How is it different from virtual reality?** In VR you wear a headset and see a model. Here several people walk the same full-size plan together, move physical furniture, and talk through changes while standing in the room.
- **When is the best time to book?** When your plans are close to final but before they go in for permits. At that point a change is still an edit to a drawing, not a change on site.
- **Is it worth it for a renovation or a backyard suite?** Often more so. In a basement, a kitchen or a suite under 900 square feet, a few inches decide whether a room works, and those are hard to judge on paper.
- **Where is the studio?** Unit 105, 2750 22 St NE, Calgary, in the South Airways business park in northeast Calgary.
- **When are you open?** Every day from 9 am to 5 pm, by appointment only. Book ahead so the plans are loaded and the studio is set up when you arrive.

## For agents
- Every guide is also served as Markdown: request its URL with `Accept: text/markdown`.
- Facts page for assistants: https://1to1planscalgary.com/ai-info
- Full text of the site: https://1to1planscalgary.com/llms-full.txt
- Pricing in Markdown: https://1to1planscalgary.com/pricing.md
- New guides: https://1to1planscalgary.com/rss.xml
- Sitemap: https://1to1planscalgary.com/sitemap.xml

---

# 1to1 Plans Calgary: session pricing

Every full-scale floor plan walkthrough session at Unit 105, 2750 22 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7L9 is quoted for the plan. Send the plan and the studio replies with a price and a time. Nothing is paid at booking.

## What the quote depends on
- The size of the plan, including the basement, the garage and any outdoor living space
- The kind of project: a house, a suite or addition, a commercial space, or multi-family unit plans
- For multi-family, how many different unit plans you want to walk

## Every session includes
- Two hours in the studio, with your partner, builder or designer along if you like
- Your plans shown at true size on the walkable LED floor, room by room
- Movable walls and studio furniture: sofas, tables, chairs and a bathtub on wheels
- The wall-size elevation screen for exteriors, kitchens and built-ins
- Changes made on the spot, so you can compare versions while standing in them
- A recording of the session to take home and share

## Get a quote
- Online: https://1to1planscalgary.com/pricing#quote
- Phone: (403) 222-0536
- Email: calgary@1to1plans.com

## Book a time
- Online: https://1to1planscalgary.com/book

---

# Questions and answers

### The session

**What is a life-size floor plan walkthrough?**
It's a way to check a floor plan by walking it. Your plan is shown at full size (1:1 scale) on a walkable floor, so you can stand in each room and see how big it really is before anything is built. It's also called a full-scale floor plan, a walkable floor plan, or floor plan projection. In Calgary, the 1to1 Plans studio shows plans on an LED floor.

**What happens in a session?**
Your floor plan is shown at full size on the studio's walkable LED floor, room by room, and the elevations go up on a wall-size screen. You walk through the house, move studio walls and furniture into place, and change the layout on the spot. You leave with a recording of the session.

**How long is a session?**
A standard session is two hours. If you want to see the studio first, there is also a 60-minute demo.

**What do I need to send before my session?**
Your floor plans as a PDF or a CAD file (DWG), at least three days before your session, to calgary@1to1plans.com. Elevations help too, because they go on the wall-size screen.

**Who can come with me?**
Anyone you are making decisions with: your partner, family, builder, designer or architect. Guests are welcome, and Calgary builders and designers bring their clients here too.

**Can we change the plan during the session?**
Yes. Changes are made on the spot, so you can compare a wider hallway or a moved wall while you are standing in it. Your designer then updates the official drawings.

**Do I get to keep anything?**
Yes. Every session is recorded, and the recording is yours to watch again and share with your builder or designer.

**What if my house is bigger than the floor?**
Very large plans don't fit on the floor all at once. They are walked a floor or a wing at a time, which still lets you check every room at its real size.

**What furniture is in the studio?**
Freestanding walls you can move, sofas, a dining table, chairs, a coffee table and a bathtub on wheels. They let you test real clearances instead of guessing.

### Pricing and booking

**How much does a session cost?**
Every session is quoted for the plan. The price depends on its size and the kind of project: a house, a suite or addition, a commercial space, or multi-family unit plans. Send the plan through the quote form on the pricing page and the studio replies with a price and a time. The quote is free.

**Do I pay when I book?**
No. There is nothing to pay when you book a session online.

**How do I book?**
Book online and pick a time, call the studio at (403) 222-0536, or send your plans through the booking form and the studio will reply with a time and a price.

**Can I see the studio before I book a full session?**
Yes. You can book a 60-minute demo at the studio with your team, or a 30-minute phone call to ask questions first.

**What if I need to move my session?**
Call or email the studio as early as you can to rebook.

### Compared with other ways to check a plan

**How is this different from a 3D rendering?**
A rendering is a picture on a screen, and your eye has to guess the scale. On the floor you stand in each room at its real size, next to real furniture, and feel the distances with your own body.

**How is it different from virtual reality?**
In VR you wear a headset and see a model. Here several people walk the same full-size plan together, move physical furniture, and talk through changes while standing in the room.

**Why not tape the plan out on a garage floor?**
Tape works for one room if you have the space and a free weekend. The studio shows the whole plan, or large sections of it, with walls and furniture ready, and changes are made on the spot instead of re-taped.

**Isn't a showhome enough?**
A showhome shows someone else's layout. The studio shows yours, with your room sizes, before anything is built.

### When and why

**When is the best time to book?**
When your plans are close to final but before they go in for permits. At that point a change is still an edit to a drawing, not a change on site.

**Is it worth it for a renovation or a backyard suite?**
Often more so. In a basement, a kitchen or a suite under 900 square feet, a few inches decide whether a room works, and those are hard to judge on paper.

**Do you work with commercial and multi-family plans?**
Yes: offices, clinics, restaurants, retail units and multi-family unit plans. Walking the space with the people who will work in it shows problems with clearances and flow before the fit-out.

**Do builders and designers use the studio with their clients?**
Yes. Calgary builders bring clients through their plans before permits, and designers use it to present a plan at the size it will be lived in.

### Visiting the studio

**Where is the studio?**
Unit 105, 2750 22 St NE, Calgary, in the South Airways business park in northeast Calgary.

**When are you open?**
Every day from 9 am to 5 pm, by appointment only. Book ahead so the plans are loaded and the studio is set up when you arrive.

**Is there parking?**
Yes, the building has a parking lot, including wheelchair-accessible parking.

**Is the floor safe for everyone?**
The plan is drawn in light on the floor and the elevations are shown on a bright screen. If moving light or bright screens bother you, mention it when you book.

---

# Guides

## Airdrie building permit fees, suite rules and timelines in 2026

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/airdrie-building-permit
Updated: 2026-10-05

As of October 2026, the City of Airdrie charges most home projects by size or by declared value, not a flat fee. Under its 2026 fee schedule, a basement suite costs $0.59 per sq ft, a plain basement development $0.40 per sq ft, and an addition, deck or garage $10.17 per $1,000 of construction cost, each with a $135 minimum and a 4% Safety Codes levy on top ([The City of Airdrie, User Fees and Charges Bylaw B-41/2023, 2026 fees](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=11203)). A suite also needs a $305 development permit first.

## Key takeaways

- As of October 2026, an Airdrie building permit for a basement secondary suite costs $0.59 per sq ft, so a 1,000 sq ft suite pays $590 plus the 4% levy ([The City of Airdrie, fee bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=11203)).
- Every accessory suite in Airdrie needs a development permit before the building permit, and the 2026 fee is $305 ([The City of Airdrie, fee bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=11203)).
- A new house permit in Airdrie runs from $1,971 up to 1,250 sq ft to $3,476 over 3,000 sq ft, with the trade permits included ([The City of Airdrie, fee bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=11203)).
- Airdrie's Land Use Bylaw, consolidated 8 September 2026, lets a garden suite go on a 360 m² lot, but the City's garden suite page still says 600 m² ([The City of Airdrie, Land Use Bylaw B-01/2016](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=9587)).
- Airdrie quotes 2 to 4 weeks for a secondary suite development permit and 8 to 12 weeks for a garden or garage suite ([The City of Airdrie, secondary suites](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2579)).

## Which projects need a building permit in Airdrie?

New homes, additions, basements, suites, garages over 10 m² and raised decks all need one. Most skip the development permit if they follow the Land Use Bylaw; suites don't. Here's each project, as of October 2026:

| Project | Building permit | Development permit as well |
|---|---|---|
| New house | Yes ([new homes](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2234)) | No if it meets the bylaw; it goes through plot plan review instead |
| Addition | Yes ([why permits are required](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2805)) | Same plot plan route |
| Basement development | Yes ([basements](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2233)) | No, unless it adds a dwelling unit |
| Secondary, garden or garage suite | Yes | Yes, an accessory suites permit first |
| Detached garage or shed | Over 10 m² (107 sq ft) ([garages and sheds](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2290)) | Plot plan route if it meets the bylaw |
| Deck | More than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade at any point, or covered ([decks](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2984)) | Plot plan route if it meets the bylaw |
| Retaining wall | Most over 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) | Not listed |

Note: A summary of the City's pages and Land Use Bylaw section 2.3.2. Any project that needs a variance needs a development permit.

The plot plan route comes from Table 1 of the Land Use Bylaw, which exempts houses, accessory buildings, additions and decks "approved via Plot Plan Review" ([The City of Airdrie, Land Use Bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=9587)).

## What does a building permit cost in Airdrie in 2026?

These are the 2026 fees, in effect since 1 January 2026:

| Project | 2026 fee (before the 4% levy) |
|---|---|
| New house, semi or townhouse | $1,971 up to 1,250 sq ft, rising by size band to $3,476 over 3,000 sq ft |
| Basement development | $0.40 per sq ft, $135 minimum |
| Basement secondary suite | $0.59 per sq ft, $135 minimum |
| Addition | $10.17 per $1,000 of construction cost, $135 minimum |
| Garage, deck, wood fireplace, retaining wall | $10.17 per $1,000 of construction cost, $135 minimum |
| Alteration or reclassification | $137 |
| Accessory suite development permit | $305 |
| Homeowner trade permit (electrical, plumbing, gas) | $100 plus the permit fee |

Note: From Schedule A of Airdrie's fee bylaw, office consolidation of 4 July 2025, 2026 column. Fees aren't charged GST. Confirm with the City before you apply.

The 4% Safety Codes levy applies to building and trade permits, with a $4.50 minimum. A 2,051 to 2,450 sq ft house pays $3,022 plus $120.88 of levy, or $3,142.88, and that covers the building, heating, electrical, plumbing and gas permits ([The City of Airdrie, fee bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=11203)).

Other projects pay trade permits on top. A basement suite's electrical permit is $162 for 501 to 1,200 sq ft, its plumbing permit $158 and its heating permit $137. Start work before the permit is issued and the fee can double ([The City of Airdrie, basements](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2233)).

You can pull your own trade permits only for a house you own and live in ([Alberta King's Printer, AR 204/2007](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2007_204.pdf)), and never for any part of a rental ([The City of Airdrie, basements](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2233)).

## How do Airdrie's fees compare with Calgary's?

Airdrie is cheaper for small decks and dearer for big basements and garages. Calgary charges flat fees for these projects, whatever their size or value. Here are the same projects under each city's 2026 schedule, levy included:

| Project | Airdrie | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Deck valued at $15,000 | $158.65 | $205.92 |
| Detached garage valued at $50,000 | $528.84 | $333.84 |
| 1,000 sq ft basement development | $416.00 | $333.84 |
| 1,000 sq ft basement suite | $613.60, plus the $305 development permit | $403.52 |
| Addition valued at $100,000 | $1,057.68 | $333.84 under 400 sq ft, $1,302.08 over |

Note: Building permit fees only, worked from [Airdrie's fee bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=11203) and [Calgary's 2026 fee schedule](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf). Trade permits are extra in both.

Airdrie publishes less than Calgary. Calgary's permits are [open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), which the [Calgary building permit guide](/blog/calgary-building-permits) uses for medians and approval times. Airdrie offers only an interactive dashboard ([The City of Airdrie, permit statistics](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2009)), so there are no Airdrie medians here.

## What are the rules for suites in Airdrie?

Airdrie allows secondary suites inside the house, garage suites in a detached garage and garden suites in the backyard. Bylaw B-30/2024, approved on 17 December 2024, cut the lot minimums and set parking at one stall per suite ([The City of Airdrie, bylaw changes](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2704)).

As of October 2026, the City's own suite pages haven't caught up. Here's the bylaw beside them:

| Rule | Land Use Bylaw, consolidated 8 September 2026 | City's garden and garage suite pages |
|---|---|---|
| Garden suite lot | 360 m² (3,875 sq ft) and 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in) wide | 600 m² (6,458 sq ft) |
| Garage suite lot | 260 m² (2,799 sq ft) and 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in) wide | 400 m² (4,306 sq ft) and 13.0 m (42 ft 8 in) wide |
| Parking | 1 stall per suite, plus the house's | 1 per bedroom, up to 2 |
| Development permit fee | $305 (fee bylaw, 2026) | $300 |

Note: Where a district's own minimum is larger, the larger one applies. The pages are the [garden suite](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2580) and [garage suite](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2581) pages.

This guide follows the bylaw, which is what the Development Authority applies. Confirm your lot with the City at 311, or 403-948-8800 from outside Airdrie.

The bylaw also caps each suite ([The City of Airdrie, Land Use Bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=9587), section 6.22):
- A garage suite can't exceed 55.0 m² (592 sq ft) or the garage's floor area, or 7.4 m (24 ft 3 in) in height or the house's height, whichever is less.
- A garden suite can't exceed 70 m² (753 sq ft), or 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) in height or the house's height, whichever is less. It sits at least 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) from the rear property line.
- Both sit at least 4.0 m (13 ft 1 in) from the house.
- A secondary suite can't be bigger than the house's floor area.

In the R1 district, secondary and garage suites are permitted uses and garden suites are discretionary. On a lot reached only by a cul-de-sac, every suite is discretionary. The [backyard suite guide](/blog/backyard-suites-calgary-rules-costs) covers layout for the same small footprints.

## How long does a permit take in Airdrie?

The City publishes timelines only for suite development permits. A secondary suite permit takes about 2 to 4 weeks once the application is complete ([The City of Airdrie, secondary suites](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2579)). A garden or garage suite takes about 8 to 12 weeks ([The City of Airdrie, garden suites](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2580)).

A discretionary garage suite, or one with a variance, then waits out a 21-day appeal period ([The City of Airdrie, garage suites](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2581)). Airdrie gives no typical time for the building permit itself.

Here's the order for a basement suite:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: A basement suite in Airdrie, in order. Check the district, the lot and parking, then Accessory suites development permit ($305, about 2 to 4 weeks), then Basement building permit and trade permits, then Rough-in inspection before insulation and drywall, then Final electrical inspection. Apply and book inspections in a myAIRDRIE account.*

## How do you apply for a building permit in Airdrie?

Online, through a myAIRDRIE account. Documents go in as flattened PDFs that allow comments, each with a clear title ([The City of Airdrie, basements](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2233)).

A basement application needs a floor plan at a scale of at least 1:100 that labels every room, its size, the windows and the electrical layout, with bathroom doors of at least 30 in and utility room doors of 32 in. A garage or deck needs a Real Property Report or site plan, and since 1 March 2026 garage trusses need an Alberta engineer's seal ([The City of Airdrie, garages and sheds](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2290)). An addition also needs elevations, cross sections and a 9.36 energy summary ([The City of Airdrie, making changes](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=1958)).

A pre-application meeting for a development permit costs $250, deducted from the application fee ([The City of Airdrie, fee bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=11203)).

## Where does a full-size walkthrough fit?

Before the application. A garage suite tops out at 55.0 m² (592 sq ft), where every wall and door swing counts, and a plan review checks the rules, not whether the rooms work.

At 1to1 Plans Calgary, in northeast Calgary, your plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, with room names and dimension lines. Freestanding walls and movable furniture show how a bedroom or living room fits, and changes show on the floor on the spot. A standard session is two hours and is recorded for you to keep.

Sessions are quoted for your plan by its size, and the quote is free; see [pricing](/pricing). [Book a session](/book) and send plans as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead. For basement layout, see the [ceiling height guide](/room-sizes/basement-ceiling-height-alberta), the [legal basement suite guide](/blog/legal-basement-suite-calgary) and [room sizes](/room-sizes). On an acreage, see the [Rocky View County guide](/blog/rocky-view-county-building-permit).

## Questions

### Do I need a permit for a deck in Airdrie?

In Airdrie, a deck needs a building permit if any point is more than 600 mm (2 ft) above grade, or if it has a roof, as of October 2026. New stairs with more than three risers need one too ([The City of Airdrie, decks](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2984)).

The fee is $10.17 per $1,000 of construction cost, with a $135 minimum, plus the 4% levy. A same-for-same rebuild of a permitted deck doesn't need one.

### How much is a basement development permit in Airdrie?

An Airdrie basement development permit costs $0.40 per sq ft of developed space in 2026, with a $135 minimum, plus the 4% Safety Codes levy. A 1,000 sq ft basement pays $416.00 in all ([The City of Airdrie, fee bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=11203)).

If the basement becomes a secondary suite, the rate is $0.59 per sq ft, a $305 development permit comes first, and trade permits are extra.

### Do I need a permit for a shed or garage in Airdrie?

Yes, in Airdrie any new garage or shed over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit, as of October 2026. A smaller shed can still need one if it creates a hazard ([The City of Airdrie, garages and sheds](https://www.airdrie.ca/index.cfm?serviceID=2290)).

The garage can be no taller than 5 m (16 ft 5 in) or the house, whichever is lower. For sizing a garage, see the [garage size guide](/room-sizes/garage-size-calgary).

### Can I have a garden suite on a small lot in Airdrie?

In Airdrie, a garden suite needs a lot of at least 360 m² (3,875 sq ft) and 11.0 m (36 ft 1 in) wide under the Land Use Bylaw consolidated on 8 September 2026 ([The City of Airdrie, Land Use Bylaw](https://www.airdrie.ca/getDocument.cfm?ID=9587)). The City's garden suite page still lists the older 600 m² minimum, so confirm your lot with the City before you design.

---

## Bathroom renovation cost in Calgary in 2026, by layout

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary
Updated: 2026-10-05

A bathroom renovation in Calgary costs $5,000 to $12,000 for a powder room, $15,000 to $30,000 for a main bathroom and $25,000 to $70,000 or more for an ensuite, according to Precision Construction & Decora's May 2026 guide ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary-2026)). Pinnacle Group prices each type higher, up to $80,000 to $140,000 or more for a luxury ensuite ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-bathroom-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)). Both name the layout as a main driver: PCND calls keeping fixtures where they are "the single biggest cost saver."

## Key takeaways

- A full main bathroom renovation in Calgary costs $15,000 to $30,000 in PCND's 2026 guide and $30,000 to $45,000 in Pinnacle Group's ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary-2026); [Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-bathroom-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)).
- Suite Home Renovations prices a four-piece that keeps its layout at $17,000 to $23,000, and a typical one with some plumbing moved at $22,000 to $35,000 ([Suite Home Renovations, 2026](https://www.suitehomerenos.com/blog/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary)).
- Moving plumbing costs $2,000 to $10,000 in Pinnacle Group's guide, and a toilet that has to cross the floor joists is the bigger job ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-bathroom-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)).
- Turning a tub into a walk-in shower costs $6,000 to $18,000 or more in Calgary, and $10,000 to $14,000 for most tiled conversions ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/tub-to-shower-conversion-calgary-cost)).
- As of October 2026, a Calgary plumbing or electrical permit costs $116.50 when a homeowner pulls it, and a building permit ($205.92) is needed only when walls move or openings change ([The City of Calgary, fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)).

## What does a bathroom renovation cost in Calgary in 2026?

The type of bathroom sets the range. Here's what four Calgary contractors publish, with the date each guide was last updated:

| Type | PCND, May 2026 | Pinnacle Group, July 2026 | Suite Home Renovations, July 2026 | Olympic City Renovations, August 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder room (two-piece) | $5,000 to $12,000 | $16,000 to $22,000 | Not priced | $5,000 to $12,000 (refresh) |
| Main bathroom, layout kept | $15,000 to $30,000 | $30,000 to $45,000 (mid-range full bathroom) | $17,000 to $23,000 | $15,000 to $30,000 |
| Main bathroom, some plumbing moved | Toward the top of $15,000 to $30,000 | Not priced separately | $22,000 to $35,000 | Not priced separately |
| Ensuite, mid-range | $25,000 to $45,000 | $45,000 to $75,000+ (upscale) | $40,000 to $60,000+ | $30,000 to $55,000 |
| Ensuite, premium or luxury | $45,000 to $70,000+ | $80,000 to $140,000+ | Not priced | $55,000 to $90,000+ |

Note: Planning ranges from each contractor's guide, not quotes. Olympic City's own summary gives higher figures than its table.

## Why do Calgary bathroom prices disagree?

Because each company prices its own kind of job, and some guides don't agree with themselves. Pinnacle's powder room starts above PCND's top figure. Pinnacle notes that a room with no tub or shower still needs demolition, plumbing, electrical, flooring and finishing.

Olympic City Renovations is the clearest case. Its table puts a powder room refresh at $5,000 to $12,000, while the summary above it says $25,000 to $45,000 for "a smaller bathroom or powder room," and its luxury ensuite figure jumps from $55,000 to $90,000 in the table to $80,000 to $140,000 in the summary ([Olympic City Renovations, 2026](https://olympiccity.ca/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary-2026/)). The table describes a refresh and the summary a full renovation, so ask which one a number means.

The automated cost sites sit lower still: RenoCalc puts a standard Calgary bathroom at $8,510 to $20,700 ([RenoCalc, 2026](https://www.renocalc.ca/en/cost/calgary/bathroom)) and CostCanada gives a $26,250 average ([CostCanada, 2026](https://www.costcanada.com/cost/bathroom-renovation-in-calgary/)). As Suite Home puts it, two quotes for one room usually describe different jobs.

## What does moving the toilet, tub or vanity add?

It depends on the floor under the bathroom more than the distance moved. Pinnacle explains that a sink or shower line can often move with modest work, but a toilet drain has to fit the floor framing. Moving it along the joists is manageable; moving it across them can mean opening the floor or the ceiling below, engineering and reframing ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-bathroom-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)).

Here's what Calgary contractors publish for moving things:

| Layout work | Published figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Swap fixtures in the same locations | $1,500 to $3,000 | [Olympic City, 2026](https://olympiccity.ca/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary-2026/) |
| Relocate a shower drain or tub-to-shower valve | Adds $1,000 to $3,000 | [PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/tub-to-shower-conversion-calgary-cost) |
| Move plumbing (shower or drain relocation) | $3,000 to $7,000 | [Olympic City, 2026](https://olympiccity.ca/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary-2026/) |
| Relocate plumbing, depending on joists and ceilings below | $2,000 to $10,000 | [Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-bathroom-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/) |
| Add a second sink (double vanity) | Adds $1,500 to $3,000 | [Olympic City, 2026](https://olympiccity.ca/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary-2026/) |

Note: Contractors' planning figures, not quotes. A drain in a basement slab costs more again, PCND says, because the concrete is broken and re-poured.

The figures overlap because they describe different moves. A shower drain shifted within the old tub's alcove is PCND's $1,000 to $3,000; a toilet moved across the joists is the kind of job Pinnacle's wider range allows for.

## Tub or shower: which footprint costs more?

A tiled shower costs more than the tub and surround it replaces, and PCND calls the jump from acrylic to tile the biggest line item in most conversions. It prices tub-to-shower conversions in three tiers ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/tub-to-shower-conversion-calgary-cost)):

| Conversion | What's involved | PCND, April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Same-footprint swap | Acrylic base and surround in the old tub's alcove, plumbing reused | $6,000 to $9,000 |
| Mid-range tiled shower | Tiled walls, waterproofed base, new valve, niche, glass panel | $9,000 to $14,000 |
| Premium or curbless | Curbless entry, linear drain, bench, custom glass, relocated plumbing | $14,000 to $18,000+ |

Note: Contractor's planning ranges, not quotes.

Curbless showers add $1,500 to $4,000 over a curbed base in PCND's guide, because the subfloor has to be recessed or built up to slope to the drain. PCND also advises keeping at least one tub in the house for resale.

Size matters as much as type. NKBA's planning guidelines, in the pre-2023 edition posted by its Puget Sound chapter, recommend a shower at least 36 by 36 in (914 by 914 mm) inside, and 30 in (762 mm) of clear floor in front of every fixture ([NKBA bath guidelines, pre-2023 edition](https://nkba-ps.com/images/downloads/Awards/nkba_bath_planning_guidelines_pre_2023.pdf)). They also recommend 18 in (457 mm) from the toilet's centreline to any wall or fixture, and 36 in (914 mm) between the centres of two sinks.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: NKBA bathroom spacing at the same scale. Toilet centreline to wall: 457 mm (1 ft 6 in); Clear floor in front: 762 mm (2 ft 6 in); Shower, inside width: 914 mm (3 ft)*

These are planning recommendations, not Alberta rules; the guide's "code" lines cite American codes that don't apply here. For a wheelchair-accessible layout, see the [barrier-free bathroom guide](/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta).

## Which layout decisions should you settle before pricing?

The ones that decide whether the plumber opens the floor. Settle these on the drawing before you ask for quotes:

- **Where the toilet goes.** Ask which way the joists run before you move it.
- **Tub, shower or both.** A same-alcove shower swap is PCND's $6,000 to $9,000; a curbless shower with relocated plumbing starts at $14,000.
- **One sink or two.** A double vanity needs about 36 in between the sink centres and adds $1,500 to $3,000.
- **The fan.** The National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition requires a bathroom exhaust fan of at least 25 L/s unless the house's main ventilation fan draws from that room ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.32.3.7](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Each of these costs more once the tile is on, as the guide to [moving a wall after framing](/blog/cost-to-move-a-wall-after-framing-calgary) shows.

## When does a bathroom renovation need a permit in Calgary?

Almost always for the plumbing, and only sometimes for the building. As of October 2026, the City requires a plumbing permit for new plumbing and for extending or altering existing pipes, an electrical permit for all electrical work, and a building permit only when walls move or new openings are cut ([The City of Calgary, home renovations](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)).

A homeowner's plumbing or electrical permit is $116.50. A contractor's is $112 plus $9.79 per $1,000 of the trade work, plus a 4% levy, and the building permit is $205.92 ([The City of Calgary, fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)). PCND's tub-to-shower guide suggests a building permit may apply above about $5,000 of work; the City's renovation page lists no dollar threshold, so confirm with the City.

## What does the City's permit data show?

Very little about bathrooms, and the reason matters. Bathrooms aren't a permit class, and a bathroom that only needed plumbing and electrical permits isn't in the City's building permit data at all. Renovations that did need a building permit fall under "Improvements":

Renovations to existing houses, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family house | 1,400 | $10,000 |
| Semi-detached or duplex | 24 | $10,000 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Note: The declared value is the applicant's own figure, not a quote, and the renovation fee is flat whatever the value.

In a query of the City's open data on 5 October 2026, every 2025 single-family description read "Improvements" or similar, so bathrooms can't be picked out ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)). Window and concrete-cutting companies pulled 231 of the 1,400 permits, at a median of $3,925, which drags the overall median down to $10,000. Rusch Design Build's 9 permits, by contrast, had a median of $160,000, for renovations of any scope. The [kitchen renovation cost guide](/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary) breaks the 1,400 down by value.

## Where does a full-size walkthrough fit?

Once the new layout is drawn and before the plumber prices it. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, the plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, with room names and dimension lines. The studio has a bathtub on wheels and freestanding walls, so you can set a tub where the drawing shows one, stand in the shower footprint instead, and check the space in front of the toilet and vanity. Changes go up on the floor on the spot.

The floor shows the new plan, not the house, so check the joists with your contractor.

Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, and the quote is free ([get a quote](/pricing)). Send the drawings as a PDF or AutoCAD (DWG) file at least three days ahead, then [book a session](/book), or read how [renovation sessions](/renovations) work. The same side-by-side breakdown covers [home additions](/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary) and [detached garages](/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary).

## Questions

### How much does an ensuite renovation cost in Calgary?

An ensuite renovation in Calgary costs $25,000 to $45,000 at mid-range and $45,000 to $70,000 or more at the premium end, in PCND's May 2026 guide ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary-2026)). Pinnacle Group puts an upscale ensuite at $45,000 to $75,000 or more and a luxury one at $80,000 to $140,000 or more ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-bathroom-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)).

### How much does a small bathroom renovation cost in Calgary?

A small bathroom renovation in Calgary costs $5,000 to $12,000 for a two-piece powder room in PCND's 2026 guide, and $16,000 to $22,000 in Pinnacle Group's ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary-2026); [Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-bathroom-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)). A full four-piece that keeps its layout is $17,000 to $23,000 at Suite Home Renovations ([Suite Home Renovations, 2026](https://www.suitehomerenos.com/blog/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary)).

### How much does it cost to convert a tub to a shower in Calgary?

A tub-to-shower conversion in Calgary costs $6,000 to $9,000 for an acrylic swap in the same alcove, $9,000 to $14,000 for a tiled shower and $14,000 to $18,000 or more for a curbless one, in PCND's April 2026 guide ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/tub-to-shower-conversion-calgary-cost)).

### How much does it cost to move a toilet in Calgary?

Moving a toilet in Calgary falls within Pinnacle Group's $2,000 to $10,000 range for plumbing relocation in 2026 ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-bathroom-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)). The job is more manageable when the drain can run along the joists, and grows when it crosses them and the floor or the ceiling below has to open.

### Do I need a permit to renovate a bathroom in Calgary?

A Calgary bathroom renovation needs a plumbing permit whenever pipes are added or altered, and an electrical permit for any wiring, as of October 2026 ([The City of Calgary, home renovations](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)). A building permit is needed only when walls move or new openings are cut.

---

## How long does it take to get a building permit in Calgary in 2026?

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/calgary-new-home-permit-time
Updated: 2026-10-05

The City of Calgary estimates about 21 days for a new house's building permit and about 7 days for most home projects, plus 10 to 12 weeks for a development permit when the design needs one, as of October 2026 ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)). Its own permit records run slower: new-house permits issued from January to September 2026 took a median of 26 days from application to issue, up from 14 days in 2025 ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)). For the whole approval to start a new home, the City says about 2 to 3 months ([The City of Calgary, approval timelines](https://www.calgary.ca/development/timelines.html)).

## Key takeaways

- As of October 2026, the City estimates about 21 days for a new house's building permit and 10 to 12 weeks for a development permit in the developed area ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)).
- The median new-house building permit took 26 days from application to issue from January to September 2026, against 14 days in 2025 ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).
- From April to June 2026, the City issued 88% of new-community house permits within its 7-day target and 85% of infill house permits within its 30-day target ([The City of Calgary, safety approval timelines](https://www.calgary.ca/development/safety-approval-timelines.html)).
- Development permits for new houses decided in 2025 took a median of 90 days to a decision and 133 days to release; 544 of 546 were approved ([The City of Calgary, development permits](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Development-Permits/6933-unw5)).
- A rowhouse on a lot that went back to its old zoning on 4 August 2026 needs a land use redesignation first, which the City targets at 180 days ([The City of Calgary, development approval timelines](https://www.calgary.ca/development/development-approval-timelines.html)).

## How long does a building permit take in Calgary in 2026?

Longer than the City's estimates for almost every project, and longer than in 2025. Here are the estimates beside the days permits took from application to issue, from a query of the City's open data on 5 October 2026 ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)):

| Project | City's estimate | 2025 median | 2026 median, January to September | Slowest quarter of 2026 permits took at least |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New house | About 21 days | 14 days | 26 days | 34 days |
| Semi-detached house, per unit | About 21 days | 14 days | 21 days | 30 days |
| Addition | About 7 days | 29 days | 43 days | 75 days |
| Basement development | About 7 days | 8 days | 13 days | 20 days |
| Basement suite in an existing house | About 7 days to legalize one | 18 days | 25 days | 45 days |
| Detached garage | About 7 days | 8 days | 20 days | 34 days |
| Deck | About 7 days | 12 days | 19 days | 31 days |
| Backyard garage suite | Not stated | 54 days | 58 days | 86 days |

Note: City estimates as of October 2026 from its [additions](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/additions.html), [basements](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html), [suites](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/suites-permit-costs-timelines.html), [garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html) and [decks](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/decks.html) pages. The other columns count calendar days, excluding cancelled permits and any earlier development permit.

Here's how many new homes the City permitted in 2025:

New homes, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| New house | 4,550 | $348,815 |
| Semi-detached house, one unit | 1,480 | $184,868 |
| Backyard garage suite | 179 | $130,044 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Note: The declared value is the applicant's figure, not a quote; for a new house it also sets the permit fee.

The new-house slowdown arrived in the spring: a median of 13.5 days for permits issued from January to March 2026, then 27 days from April to June and 29 from July to September. The City's timeline pages give no reason.

## What do the City's own targets say?

The City publishes a target for each kind of permit and how often it met it. These are its results for April to June 2026 ([The City of Calgary, safety approval timelines](https://www.calgary.ca/development/safety-approval-timelines.html); [The City of Calgary, development approval timelines](https://www.calgary.ca/development/development-approval-timelines.html)):

| Approval | Target | Decisions within target | Average days |
|---|---|---|---|
| New-community house, permission to start | 1 day | 99% | 0 |
| New-community house, permit issued | 7 days | 88% | 3 |
| Infill house, permission to start | 14 days | 72% | 15 |
| Infill house, permit issued | 30 days | 85% | 13 |
| Home improvement, low complexity | 7 days | 66% | 10 |
| Home improvement, high complexity | 21 days | 85% | 15 |
| Development permit, house in the developed area | 90 days | 81% | 70 |
| Land use redesignation (rezoning) | 180 days | 71% | 157 |

Note: The City's figures in calendar days. It calls new communities "greenfield"; its development averages include the applicant's time, and its building averages don't say.

**The City's averages and its open data don't match.** The City's average for issuing a new-community house permit was 3 days in the same quarter that the open data's median new house took 27 days from application to issue; the top communities were new ones, such as Rangeview and Moraine. Both can be true if the City's clock starts later than the application date, such as once an application is complete, but its building safety page doesn't say. Plan on the open data, which counts every day you wait.

## Do you need a development permit before the building permit?

Only in some cases, but when you do, it's the longest step. For a new house, the City requires one when you build in the developed area, when the house is a discretionary use in its district, when you ask for a relaxation of the Land Use Bylaw, on R-Gm land, or where the lot has no City services ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)).

In the developed area you choose between two kinds. A contextual application follows a strict design guide with no relaxations; one that meets every rule can't be refused or appealed. A discretionary application allows more design freedom and relaxations, but takes longer and is less certain. Here are the City's estimates beside what development permits decided in 2025 took ([The City of Calgary, development permits](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Development-Permits/6933-unw5)):

| Development permit | City's estimate | 2025 median to decision | 2025 median to release | Decided in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contextual house | 60 days to decision; 8 to 10 weeks | 63 days | 94 days | 99, all approved |
| Discretionary house, semi or duplex | 90 days to decision plus a 21-day appeal period; 10 to 12 weeks | 90 days | 133 days | 546, 2 refused |
| Garage relaxation | 60 days to decision plus 21; 10 to 12 weeks | 50 days | 81 days | 113, 2 refused |

Note: Calendar days from application, rounded; release comes after the appeal period and any conditions are met.

**The City's own numbers don't add up here.** Its new house page lists 90 days to a decision plus a 21-day appeal period for a discretionary house, 111 days in all, yet totals it at 10 to 12 weeks. The 2025 records sit closer to 111.

The steps explain the time. A notice can be posted on the lot at least 7 days before a decision, and comment periods run 7 to 21 days. After approval, anyone affected has 21 days to appeal, and release waits on any prior-to-release conditions ([The City of Calgary, development permit process](https://www.calgary.ca/pda/pd/permits/development-permits/development-permit-process.html)). You can apply for the building permit once the development permit is approved with conditions, which saves some of that time.

## In what order do the approvals come for a new house?

Rezoning if you need it, then the development permit, then the building permit, inspections and occupancy:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Approvals for a new house in Calgary, in order. Land use redesignation, only if the zoning doesn't allow the house (180-day target), then Development permit, if needed (10 to 12 weeks by the City's estimate), then Building permit (about 21 days by the City's estimate), then Inspections in phases, then Permission to occupy. Not to scale. A knock-down adds a demolition permit before the building permit.*

The demolition permit goes in before the new house's building permit, or after its development permit when the house needs one. In the developed area, a partial permit lets the builder start the foundations, up to the main floor subfloor, while the full review finishes, at the builder's own risk ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)).

## What slows a Calgary building permit down?

Mostly a missing piece, either in the application or in a reply. The City says its timelines depend on volumes, application completeness and "the applicant's timely replies" to its requests ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)).

- **An incomplete application.** The checklist is the minimum, and the City may ask for more. If what it asks for isn't supplied within 90 days, it may refuse the application, after written notice and 30 days to resubmit.
- **A relaxation.** Any rule the design breaks turns a straight building permit into a development permit first. The [garage cost guide](/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary) shows the most common ones for garages.
- **Zoning that changed on 4 August 2026.** Council repealed citywide rezoning, and 99% of properties went back to their pre-2024 zoning. A rowhouse on a lot that reverted needs a land use redesignation from Council before its development permit ([The City of Calgary, rezoning](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html)).

The rezoning page contradicts itself: its banner dates the change to 4 August 2024, while its FAQ gives 4 August 2026. This guide follows the FAQ, which agrees with the April and July 2026 Council decisions listed further down that page.

Suite permits got faster in August 2026. Bylaw 26P2026 made secondary suites a permitted use in all low-density districts, so a suite that meets every rule needs only a building permit. The City's [secondary suite permit requirements](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-permits.html) page still says R-C1, R-C1L and R-1 lots need a development permit as of 5 October 2026. See the [basement suite guide](/blog/legal-basement-suite-calgary).

## How can you keep your permit on schedule?

Send a complete application and answer requests fast. The City's advice: work from the checklist, use its sample drawings, and follow up on requests "as quickly as possible" ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)). For a development permit, it adds plans drawn to professional standards and a written reason for any relaxation ([The City of Calgary, development permit process](https://www.calgary.ca/pda/pd/permits/development-permits/development-permit-process.html)). Fees are in the [Calgary building permits guide](/blog/calgary-building-permits), and nearby towns run their own systems, as the [Airdrie permit guide](/blog/airdrie-building-permit) shows.

## Where does a full-size walkthrough fit?

Before you apply. A permit review checks drawings against the rules, not whether the rooms work for you.

At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, with room names and dimension lines, and changes show on the floor on the spot. Daniel, a Calgary custom builder (@daniel_built), walks every client through their plans there before submitting for permits, and in his experience every client changes something.

Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). Send the plan as a PDF or AutoCAD (DWG) file at least three days ahead, then [book a session](/book), or see how sessions work for [builders](/builders).

## Questions

### How long does a development permit take in Calgary?

A development permit for a new house in Calgary's developed area takes 10 to 12 weeks by the City's estimate, or 8 to 10 weeks for a contextual design, as of October 2026 ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)). In 2025, discretionary house permits took a median of 133 days from application to release ([The City of Calgary, development permits](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Development-Permits/6933-unw5)).

### How long does a building permit for a new house take in Calgary?

A new-house building permit in Calgary takes about 21 days by the City's estimate as of October 2026 ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)). The median permit issued from July to September 2026 took 29 days from application ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

### Why is my Calgary building permit taking so long?

A Calgary building permit usually takes longer when the application is missing something, when the City is waiting on your reply, or when the design needs a development permit first ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)). Permits have also slowed across the board in 2026: the median for every home project in this guide's table rose against 2025.

### How long is a Calgary building permit valid?

A Calgary building permit expires 180 days from the date it's issued, and homeowner and contractor trade permits after 330 days, as of October 2026 ([The City of Calgary, garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)). The City mails a reminder, and you can apply to extend a permit.

---

## Cost to build a garage in Calgary in 2026: single to triple

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary
Updated: 2026-10-05

A finished detached double garage costs $55,000 to $90,000 in Calgary in 2026, according to the March guide from Precision Construction & Decora (PCND), which prices turnkey builds ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)). Package builders list far less: Venkor Group's 22 by 22 ft package starts at $30,126 ([Venkor Group, 2026](https://venkorgroup.com/residential/garages)) and Alta Home puts most doubles at $24,000 to $35,000 ([Alta Home, 2026](https://altahome.ca/pricing/)). On top of either, the City of Calgary charges $333.84 for a new garage's building permit, as of October 2026 ([The City of Calgary, garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).

## Key takeaways

- PCND prices a turnkey double garage of 22 by 22 ft to 24 by 24 ft at $55,000 to $90,000 in 2026, and a single of about 14 by 22 ft at $35,000 to $55,000 ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)).
- Package prices start lower: Venkor Group lists a 24 by 24 ft double from $34,988 ([Venkor Group, 2026](https://venkorgroup.com/residential/garages)), and Alta Home says site preparation, grading, access and permits may change its $24,000 to $35,000 double ([Alta Home, 2026](https://altahome.ca/pricing/)).
- As of October 2026, a new garage's building permit costs $333.84, every new garage needs a separate electrical permit, and a development permit adds $550 when the design breaks a bylaw rule ([The City of Calgary, garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).
- The City issued 2,854 permits for new detached garages in 2025 at a median declared value of $42,434, a figure that appears to come from floor area, not a price ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).
- The median garage permit took 20 days from application to issue from January to September 2026, against 8 days in 2025 and the City's estimate of about 7 ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

## What does it cost to build a garage in Calgary in 2026?

It depends first on whether the price is turnkey or a package. Here's what five Calgary builders publish, with the date of each guide:

| Garage | PCND, March 2026 (turnkey) | Venkor Group, 2026 (package, from) | Alta Home, 2026 (package) | Falcon Contracting, December 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $35,000 to $55,000 (about 14 by 22 ft) | $20,861 (14 by 20 ft) | From the lower $20,000s | $9,600 to $16,800 (12 by 20 ft) |
| Double, 20 by 20 ft | Not priced | $25,190 | $24,000 to $35,000 for most doubles | $16,000 to $28,000 |
| Double, 22 by 22 to 24 by 24 ft | $55,000 to $90,000 | $30,126 (22 by 22) to $34,988 (24 by 24) | As above | $23,040 to $40,320 (24 by 24) |
| Triple or oversized | $90,000 to $140,000+ (26 ft or wider) | $48,606 (30 by 24 ft) | Can exceed $45,000 | $28,800 to $50,400 (30 by 24 ft) |

Note: Planning ranges and starting prices from each builder's page, not quotes. Suite Home Renovations publishes the same three tiers as PCND ([Suite Home Renovations, 2026](https://www.suitehomerenos.com/blog/garage-cost-calgary)).

PCND's ranges cover a finished build on a reasonably flat lot, including the slab, an insulated overhead door, basic electrical and the permit. Venkor says permits and design drawings are in its quote.

## Why do Calgary garage prices disagree so much?

Because the builders price three different products under the same name. Suite Home Renovations names them: a supply-only kit, a package base price for "a perfect, level, lane-accessed lot," and a turnkey build on your real lot. On a package, it says, concrete upgrades, electrical service, demolishing an old garage and grading are often extra ([Suite Home Renovations, 2026](https://www.suitehomerenos.com/blog/garage-cost-calgary)).

Per-foot numbers add their own gap. Falcon Contracting gives $40 to $70 per sq ft for a detached garage, which puts a 20 by 20 at $16,000 to $28,000, yet its overall range for a detached garage starts at $25,000 ([Falcon Contracting, 2025](https://falconcontractinginc.com/garage-construction-cost-calgary/)). A per-foot price also hides fixed costs such as the permit.

So compare quotes on the same scope. PCND's list of things to check: the slab and footing detail, insulation, the door, electrical, permit fees, and final grading and cleanup.

## What drives the cost of a garage?

The slab, heat and electrical, then finishes. These are the line items Calgary builders publish ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026); [Falcon Contracting, 2025](https://falconcontractinginc.com/garage-construction-cost-calgary/)), PCND's figures unless marked:

| Cost item | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Slab and footings for a standard double | $9,000 to $18,000 |
| In-floor (radiant) heat in the slab | Adds $6,000 to $12,000 |
| Insulating and drywalling a double | Adds $6,000 to $15,000 |
| Forced-air or radiant tube heater | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| 240 V outlet, electric vehicle charger, sub-panel or extra lighting | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Pump truck when a mixer can't reach the slab | $900 to $1,200 (Falcon) |
| Garage with a suite above | $200,000 to $350,000+ |

Note: Contractors' planning figures, not quotes.

**The slab size has a line in it.** The building code lets a one-storey detached garage under 55 m² (592 sq ft), not built of masonry, sit on a 100 mm (3.9 in) concrete slab ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.35.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The City asks for an engineer-designed slab once the slab passes 55 m² without a foundation 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) below grade ([The City of Calgary, garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)). A 24 by 24 ft garage is 53.5 m², just under; 24 by 26 ft is 58.0 m², just over.

**Width costs more than depth.** Going wider means a bigger pad, longer trusses and often a second door, Suite Home says, so a 24 by 24 usually costs more than a 20 by 28 of about the same area. The [garage size guide](/room-sizes/garage-size-calgary) covers stall widths and truck depths.

**Heat is a before-the-pour decision.** PCND notes in-floor heat can't be added later without tearing out the floor.

## What does the City charge for a garage permit?

$333.84 for the building permit, as of October 2026, plus an electrical permit, which the City requires for every new garage. Here's the City's list ([The City of Calgary, garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html); [The City of Calgary, fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)):

| Permit | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Any garage over 10 m² (107 sq ft) | $333.84 |
| Electrical permit | Every new garage | $116.50 for a homeowner; $112 plus $9.79 per $1,000 of work for a contractor |
| Development permit | Over 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) tall, over 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) to the eave, over 75 m² (807 sq ft), or any other bylaw rule broken | $550 |

Note: City fees as of October 2026; building permit fees include the 4% Safety Codes Council fee.

**Sources disagree on large garages.** PCND says a garage over 400 sq ft pays about $1,300. The City's schedule lists "Basement, garage, addition under 400 square feet" at $333.84, and its $1,302.08 line names only additions over 400 sq ft. The City's garage page shows $333.84 for a new garage with no size limit. Confirm with the City at 403-268-5311 before you budget. The [Calgary building permits guide](/blog/calgary-building-permits) lists the other fees.

## What does the City's permit data show for garages?

After new houses, detached garages were the City's most common residential permit class in 2025:

Detached garages, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| New detached garage | 2,854 | $42,434 |
| Work on an existing garage | 19 | $44,312 |
| Garage with a backyard suite | 179 | $130,044 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Note: The declared value is the applicant's figure, not a quote, and a garage's flat fee doesn't depend on it.

The garage values look calculated. In a query of the City's open data on 5 October 2026, 2,795 of the 2,854 new-garage values in 2025 were exact multiples of $96.44, which suggests the application sets the value at $96.44 per sq ft of floor area ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)). The median, $42,433.60, is exactly 440 sq ft, a 20 by 22 ft garage. The rate isn't on the City's fee calculator page, so treat this as a reading of the data.

If it holds, the values also show what size Calgarians build:

| Floor area implied by the declared value | Permits in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Under 400 sq ft | 216 |
| 400 to 440 sq ft (20 by 20 or 20 by 22 ft) | 1,297 |
| 441 to 528 sq ft (up to 22 by 24 ft) | 791 |
| 529 to 576 sq ft (up to 24 by 24 ft) | 256 |
| Over 576 sq ft | 235 |

Note: 2,795 permits whose value divides evenly by $96.44; the other 59 are left out.

So the typical permit is a 20 by 20 or 20 by 22, smaller than the 24 by 24 PCND calls the sweet spot.

## How long does a garage permit take?

About 7 days by the City's estimate, and 10 to 12 weeks more when you need a development permit ([The City of Calgary, garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)). The open data says it's slower now: the median new-garage permit took 8 days in 2025 and 20 days from January to September 2026.

Garage relaxations decided in 2025, the development permits filed under the City's new accessory building category, took a median of 50 days to a decision and 81 days to release; 111 of 113 were approved ([The City of Calgary, development permits](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Development-Permits/6933-unw5)). Coverage was the most common relaxation, in 62 of them, and eave height came next, in 56. The [permit timing guide](/blog/calgary-new-home-permit-time) explains why approvals have slowed.

## Which layout decisions change the price?

The ones that move the slab, the height or the use. Settle these on the drawings:

- **Under or over 55 m².** Crossing it can mean an engineered slab.
- **Eave and roof height.** Staying under 3.0 m at the eave and 4.6 m overall saves the $550 development permit and its weeks.
- **A suite later.** PCND says retrofitting a suite onto a garage not designed for one costs far more; see the [backyard suite guide](/blog/backyard-suites-calgary-rules-costs).

The communities with the most new detached garages since 2023, from the City's permit data:

Calgary communities with the most detached garages, permits issued 2023 to 29 September 2026:

| Rank | Community | Sector | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Livingston | North | 493 | $42,434 |
| 2 | Cornerstone | Northeast | 469 | $44,555 |
| 3 | Mahogany | Southeast | 418 | $46,291 |
| 4 | Glacier Ridge | North | 399 | $42,434 |
| 5 | Rangeview | Southeast | 397 | $38,576 |
| 6 | Alpine Park | South | 344 | $42,434 |
| 7 | Haskayne | Northwest | 274 | $46,677 |
| 8 | Seton | Southeast | 268 | $42,434 |
| 9 | Saddle Ridge | Northeast | 260 | $42,434 |
| 10 | Pine Creek | South | 258 | $42,434 |

Among the 97 communities with a page on this site. Declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It is not a quote and runs below real costs. Medians are shown only where a category has at least 5 permits. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.

## Where does a full-size walkthrough fit?

Before you sign a quote, when the garage still sits on paper beside the house and the yard. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, the plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, with dimension lines, so you can pace out the parking spaces and the room left between and behind them. Changes show on the floor on the spot.

Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). Send the plan as a PDF or AutoCAD (DWG) file at least three days ahead, then [book a session](/book), or read how sessions work for [homeowners](/homeowners).

## Questions

### How much does a double garage cost in Calgary?

A detached double garage in Calgary costs $55,000 to $90,000 turnkey in 2026 for 22 by 22 ft to 24 by 24 ft, in PCND's March guide ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)). Package prices start lower, at $24,000 to $35,000 for most doubles from Alta Home ([Alta Home, 2026](https://altahome.ca/pricing/)), before any site work the package leaves out.

### How much does a single car garage cost in Calgary?

A single detached garage in Calgary costs $35,000 to $55,000 turnkey for about 14 by 22 ft in 2026 ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)). Venkor Group's 14 by 20 ft package starts at $20,861 ([Venkor Group, 2026](https://venkorgroup.com/residential/garages)).

### How much does a 24 by 24 garage cost in Calgary?

A 24 by 24 ft garage in Calgary falls in PCND's $55,000 to $90,000 double-garage range for a turnkey build in 2026 ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)). Venkor Group's 24 by 24 ft package starts at $34,988 ([Venkor Group, 2026](https://venkorgroup.com/residential/garages)).

At 53.5 m², it sits just under the 55 m² line where the City asks for an engineered slab.

### How long does it take to get a garage permit in Calgary?

A Calgary garage permit takes about 7 days by the City's estimate ([The City of Calgary, garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)). From January to September 2026 the median garage permit took 20 days from application to issue ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

---

## Kitchen renovation cost in Calgary in 2026: prices by layout

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary
Updated: 2026-10-05

A kitchen renovation in Calgary costs $20,000 to $120,000 or more in 2026, with a mid-range remodel at $40,000 to $75,000, according to Precision Construction & Decora's May guide ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026)). Pinnacle Group, which prices higher, starts a small contained kitchen around $60,000 and a complete makeover at $110,000 to $150,000 or more ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-kitchen-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)). The biggest swing inside those ranges is the layout: PCND says moving it is what separates a $45,000 kitchen from a $90,000 one.

## Key takeaways

- Calgary contractors price a mid-range kitchen remodel at $40,000 to $75,000 (PCND) and $50,000 to $80,000 (Reborn Renovations) in their 2026 guides ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026); [Reborn Renovations, 2026](https://www.rebornrenovations.com/how-much-does-a-calgary-kitchen-renovation-cost/)).
- Moving the layout is what separates a $45,000 kitchen from a $90,000 one, PCND says, and its FAQ puts layout changes at $10,000 to $30,000 extra ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026)).
- An open-concept kitchen that takes out a wall runs $150,000 to $200,000 or more in Pinnacle Group's 2026 guide ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-kitchen-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)).
- As of October 2026, the City of Calgary charges $205.92 for an interior renovation building permit, needed when walls move or new openings are cut; plumbing and electrical permits are separate ([The City of Calgary, fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)).
- NKBA's planning guidelines recommend a 42 in (1 067 mm) work aisle for one cook and 48 in (1 219 mm) for more than one ([NKBA guidelines, pre-2023 edition](https://nkba-ps.com/images/downloads/Awards/nkba_kitchen_planning_guidelines_pre_2023.pdf)).

## What does a kitchen renovation cost in Calgary in 2026?

It depends on scope more than size. Here's what four Calgary contractors publish, with the date each guide was last updated:

| Scope | PCND, May 2026 | Pinnacle Group, June 2026 | Reborn Renovations, July 2026 | Rusch Design Build, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh, same layout | $20,000 to $40,000 | Not priced | $25,000 to $35,000 | $20,000 to $40,000 |
| Mid-range remodel | $40,000 to $75,000 | From about $60,000 (contained kitchen) | $50,000 to $80,000 | Not priced |
| Full gut or complete makeover | $75,000 to $120,000+ | $110,000 to $150,000+ | Up to $125,000+ | $110,000 to $190,000 (major remodel) |
| Open concept or luxury | Not priced separately | $150,000 to $250,000+ | Not priced | $175,000 to $275,000+ (luxury) |
| Per square foot | Not given | Not given | $125 to $375 | $250 to $500 |

Note: Planning ranges from each contractor's guide, not quotes. PCND's tiers assume a 150 to 200 sq ft kitchen.

The ranges overlap more than they agree. Pinnacle's entry point sits near the top of PCND's mid-range, and Rusch calls $60,000 to $150,000 typical while pricing a refresh at $20,000 to $40,000 ([Rusch Design Build, 2026](https://ruschdesignbuild.com/reno-faq/)). Each prices the kitchens it tends to build.

The automated cost sites sit far lower. RenoCalc puts a standard Calgary kitchen at $17,365 to $35,420 ([RenoCalc, 2026](https://www.renocalc.ca/en/cost/calgary/kitchen)), and CostCanada gives a $36,750 average ([CostCanada, 2026](https://www.costcanada.com/cost/kitchen-renovation-in-calgary/)). They don't even agree on Calgary: RenoCalc rates it at 115% of the Canadian average, CostCanada at 5% above. Treat them as a floor, not a budget.

## What does moving the layout add?

Every fixture that leaves its wall brings a trade with it. Keep the sink, stove and fridge roughly where they are, PCND says, and the plumbing, gas and major electrical stay put; move the sink to an island or take out a load-bearing wall and you pay for new runs, a beam and more inspections ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026)).

Here are PCND's line items for those moves:

| Layout change | PCND, May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Move the sink or dishwasher to a new wall or island | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Move the gas line for the range | $800 to $2,500 |
| Electrical rework (island circuits, pot lights, code upgrades) | $2,500 to $8,000 |
| Remove a load-bearing wall with an engineered beam | $4,000 to $12,000+ |
| Electrical panel upgrade, common in pre-1990s homes | $2,500 to $5,000 |

Note: Contractor's planning figures for the trade work only, not quotes; finishing the floor and ceiling around the change is extra.

The line items don't add up to the $45,000 gap on their own. Pinnacle explains why: removing even a non-load-bearing wall means new flooring transitions, ceiling repair, rerouted electrical and sometimes heating ducts hidden in the wall, and the dining or family room gets pulled into the job ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-kitchen-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)). That's how a kitchen becomes an open-concept renovation at $150,000 to $200,000 or more.

The flip side is PCND's top saving: if the current footprint works, leave it and put the money into cabinets, counters and lighting. Cabinets alone run $10,000 to $35,000 or more installed, and cabinets plus counters take 50 to 60% of a typical budget.

## Which layout decisions should you settle before pricing?

The ones that decide whether a trade comes back, and most are about inches. The National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition requires a 50 L/s kitchen exhaust fan unless the house's main ventilation fan draws from the kitchen ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.32.3.7](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)), but it sets no island clearance or aisle width.

The numbers designers use come from the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Its pre-2023 guidelines, posted by NKBA's Puget Sound chapter, recommend these ([NKBA guidelines, pre-2023 edition](https://nkba-ps.com/images/downloads/Awards/nkba_kitchen_planning_guidelines_pre_2023.pdf)):

| Space | NKBA recommendation |
|---|---|
| Walkway | At least 36 in (914 mm) |
| Work aisle, one cook | At least 42 in (1 067 mm) |
| Work aisle, more than one cook | At least 48 in (1 219 mm) |
| Behind island seating, nobody passing | 32 in (813 mm) from the counter edge |
| Behind island seating, people walking past | At least 44 in (1 118 mm) |

Note: Planning recommendations, not code minimums, measured between counter fronts, tall cabinets and appliances. NKBA's 2026 edition may differ.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Kitchen aisle widths at the same scale. Walkway: 914 mm (3 ft); Work aisle, one cook: 1 067 mm (3 ft 6 in); Walk past seating: 1 118 mm (3 ft 8 in); Work aisle, two cooks: 1 219 mm (4 ft)*

Settle these on the drawing, before the cabinet order:

- **Island or no island.** A sink in the island is PCND's $2,000 to $6,000 plumbing line. Check that both aisles still clear 42 in once it's drawn.
- **Seating along a walkway.** If people pass behind the stools, the island needs 44 in behind it, which may mean a shorter island or none.
- **The wall.** Taking it out moves you from Pinnacle's contained bracket to its open-concept one.
- **Where the range goes.** Moving it means PCND's gas line, and PCND advises not to move gas unless the new layout earns it.

Each of these costs more once it's built, as the guide to [moving a wall after framing](/blog/cost-to-move-a-wall-after-framing-calgary) shows.

## When does a kitchen renovation need a permit in Calgary?

When it moves a wall, cuts a new opening, or touches the plumbing, wiring or gas, as of October 2026. The City requires a building permit to move or remove walls or cut new openings, a separate electrical permit for all electrical work, and a plumbing permit for any new or altered pipes; cosmetic work typically needs none ([The City of Calgary, home renovations](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)).

The fees, from the City's 2026 schedule ([The City of Calgary, fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)):

| Permit | When a kitchen needs it | Fee, levy included |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit, interior renovation | Walls moved or removed, new window or door openings | $205.92 |
| Electrical, homeowner doing the work | Any electrical work | $116.50 |
| Plumbing, homeowner doing the work | Sink moved, new lines | $116.50 |
| Electrical, plumbing or gas, contractor | Same, pulled by the trade | $112 plus $9.79 per $1,000 of the work, plus the 4% levy |

Note: City fees as of October 2026; they double if work starts before the permit is issued.

PCND budgets $400 to $1,200 for kitchen permits. A building permit and two trade permits at their minimum come to $438.92, so its range fits the City's schedule.

## What does the City's permit data show for renovations?

Less than you'd hope, because a kitchen isn't its own permit class. Renovations to a house fall under "Improvements", and these are the 2025 counts and median declared values:

Renovations to existing houses, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family house | 1,400 | $10,000 |
| Semi-detached or duplex | 24 | $10,000 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Note: The declared value is the applicant's own figure, not a quote, and the interior renovation fee is flat whatever the value.

The $10,000 median mixes everything. Here's how the 1,400 single-family permits break down, from a query of the City's open data on 5 October 2026 ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)):

| Declared value | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under $10,000 | 628 | 45% |
| $10,000 to $49,999 | 446 | 32% |
| $50,000 to $99,999 | 150 | 11% |
| $100,000 to $249,999 | 128 | 9% |
| $250,000 or more | 47 | 3% |
| Not stated | 1 | Under 1% |

Note: Permits issued in 2025, excluding cancelled ones. Every description reads "Improvements" or similar, so kitchens can't be counted on their own.

Two things pull the median down. Window and concrete-cutting companies, such as Calgary Egress Windows, pulled 231 of the permits at a median of $3,925. And 101 permits declared exactly $10,000, which looks like a placeholder. Full-scope renovators sit where their guides do: Rusch Design Build's 9 permits had a median declared value of $160,000 and Reborn Renovations' 5 had $221,373, for renovations of any scope.

The data also leaves out kitchens that only needed trade permits, since the dataset holds building permits. Half of 2025's improvement permits were issued within 15 days of applying.

## Where does a full-size walkthrough fit?

Once the layout is drawn and before the cabinets are ordered. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, the plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, with room names and dimension lines, so two people can stand in the aisle between the island and the counter. Studio chairs can go where the stools would be, and changes go up on the floor on the spot.

Daniel, a Calgary custom builder (@daniel_built), walks his clients through their plans at the studio before permits; in his experience every client changes something, such as a wider island or a bigger pantry.

Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, and the quote is free ([get a quote](/pricing)). Send the drawings as a PDF or AutoCAD (DWG) file at least three days ahead, then [book a session](/book), or read how [renovation sessions](/renovations) work. The same side-by-side breakdown covers [bathrooms](/blog/bathroom-renovation-cost-calgary), [home additions](/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary) and [detached garages](/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary).

## Questions

### How much does an average kitchen renovation cost in Calgary?

An average kitchen renovation in Calgary costs $40,000 to $75,000 for a mid-range remodel in PCND's May 2026 guide, which says most of its kitchens land at $50,000 to $70,000 ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026)). Reborn Renovations' July 2026 mid-range is $50,000 to $80,000 ([Reborn Renovations, 2026](https://www.rebornrenovations.com/how-much-does-a-calgary-kitchen-renovation-cost/)).

### How much does it cost to remove a wall between the kitchen and living room in Calgary?

Removing a load-bearing wall with an engineered beam costs $4,000 to $12,000 or more in Calgary, before finishing, in PCND's 2026 guide ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026)). Pinnacle Group prices the whole open-concept kitchen at $150,000 to $200,000 or more, because the floors, ceiling and rooms on both sides change too ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-kitchen-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)).

The City of Calgary requires a building permit to move or remove a wall, $205.92 as of October 2026.

### Do I need a permit to renovate my kitchen in Calgary?

A Calgary kitchen renovation needs a building permit when walls move or new openings are cut, and separate electrical and plumbing permits for wiring and pipe work, as of October 2026 ([The City of Calgary, home renovations](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)). New cabinets, counters and paint with nothing moved typically need no permit.

### How much space do you need around a kitchen island?

NKBA's planning guidelines recommend a work aisle of at least 42 in (1 067 mm) around an island for one cook and 48 in (1 219 mm) for more than one ([NKBA guidelines, pre-2023 edition](https://nkba-ps.com/images/downloads/Awards/nkba_kitchen_planning_guidelines_pre_2023.pdf)). The Alberta building code sets no island clearance, so these are recommendations, not rules.

---

## Rocky View County building permit fees and rules in 2026

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/rocky-view-county-building-permit
Updated: 2026-10-05

As of October 2026, Rocky View County prices a house's building permit by the square foot: $0.58 for developed floor area, $0.40 for an attached garage and $0.30 for an undeveloped basement or a deck, plus a 4% Safety Codes levy ([Rocky View County, 2026 Master Rates Bylaw C-8701-2026](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/2026-Master-Rates-Bylaw-C-8701-2026.pdf)). A suite needs a $515 development permit where the district makes it discretionary.

## Key takeaways

- As of October 2026, Rocky View County charges $0.58 per sq ft of developed floor area and $0.40 per sq ft of attached garage, plus a 4% levy capped at $560 ([Rocky View County, Master Rates Bylaw](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/2026-Master-Rates-Bylaw-C-8701-2026.pdf)).
- A 3,000 sq ft acreage house with an undeveloped basement, attached garage and deck pays $2,776.80 for its building permit under the [2026 rates](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/2026-Master-Rates-Bylaw-C-8701-2026.pdf), levy included.
- In Rocky View County, an accessory dwelling unit can be no larger than 150 m² (1,615 sq ft), and a parcel gets one ([Rocky View County, Land Use Bylaw C-8000-2020](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/RVC-Land-Use-Bylaw.pdf), section 122).
- A house with a building area over 600 m² (6,458 sq ft) falls under Part 3 of the building code, and the County requires a pre-application meeting above 550 m² (5,920 sq ft) ([Rocky View County, Guideline ESP-13](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Guideline-Single-Family-Dwellings-600m2.pdf)).
- The County says its administrative review may take 35 days, then a house, addition, garage or suite permit typically issues in 10 to 25 business days ([Rocky View County, get a building permit](https://www.rockyview.ca/business-development/building-and-renovating/get-building-permit)).

## What needs a building permit in Rocky View County?

Any building over 10 m² (107 sq ft), any deck more than 0.6 m (2 ft) above the ground, and even a kitchen renovation that replaces the cabinets. Most acreage projects skip the development permit if they meet the Land Use Bylaw; suites in residential districts don't. As of October 2026:

| Project | Building permit | Development permit as well |
|---|---|---|
| New house | Yes | Not where the house is a permitted use and meets the bylaw |
| Addition | Yes | Not for an addition to a house that meets the bylaw |
| Basement development | Yes | No, unless it creates a suite |
| Accessory dwelling unit (suite) | Yes | Yes in the residential districts R-RUR, R-CRD and R-URB; not in the agricultural A-GEN or A-SML, where it's permitted |
| Garage, shop or shed | Over 10 m² (107 sq ft) | Only above the district's permitted size |
| Deck | More than 0.6 m (2 ft) above ground at any point | Not if it meets the bylaw |
| Kitchen renovation | When replacing cabinets or a hood fan | No |

Note: From the County's [building permit](https://www.rockyview.ca/business-development/building-and-renovating/get-building-permit) and [development permit](https://www.rockyview.ca/business-development/development/development-permits/do-i-need-development-permit) pages and bylaw section 92. A variance always needs a development permit.

## What does a building permit cost in Rocky View County in 2026?

The 2026 Master Rates Bylaw took effect on 1 January 2026. Here are the rates for homes:

| Item | 2026 rate (before the 4% levy) |
|---|---|
| Developed floor area, including a developed basement, an addition or a detached suite | $0.58 per sq ft |
| Undeveloped basement | $0.30 per sq ft |
| Attached garage | $0.40 per sq ft |
| Deck, porch or covered canopy | $0.30 per sq ft |
| Renovation with no new floor area | $0.40 per sq ft |
| Detached garage or shed, unfinished | $0.30 per sq ft under 592 sq ft (55 m²), $0.40 over |
| Minimum permit fee | $160 |
| Development permit: accessory dwelling unit | $515 |
| Development permit: accessory building or deck | $265 |

Note: Rates from [Bylaw C-8701-2026](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/2026-Master-Rates-Bylaw-C-8701-2026.pdf). The levy is 4% of each permit, $4.50 minimum, $560 maximum. A variance adds 25% to a development permit.

Here's how that adds up for an acreage house with an unfinished basement:

| Part of the house | Area | Rate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main and upper floors | 3,000 sq ft | $0.58 | $1,740.00 |
| Undeveloped basement | 1,500 sq ft | $0.30 | $450.00 |
| Attached garage | 900 sq ft | $0.40 | $360.00 |
| Deck | 400 sq ft | $0.30 | $120.00 |
| Safety Codes levy | 4% | | $106.80 |
| Building permit | | | $2,776.80 |

Note: A worked example from the 2026 rates, not a County quote. Trade permits and any development permit are extra.

**Trade permits add more than $1,000.** For 2,501 to 5,000 sq ft of developed area, garage included, electrical is $285, gas $235 and plumbing $290, and private sewage is $275. With the levy, the example house pays $3,905.20 in all.

Start before the permit is issued and each discipline's fee rises 20%. A pre-application meeting with Building Services costs $160 an hour.

One County form disagrees. Its Residential Cost Estimate, dated April 2021, says houses over 600 m² are charged on construction value ([Rocky View County, Residential Cost Estimate](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Residential-Cost-Estimate.pdf)), while the 2026 bylaw lists only per-square-foot rates. Ask Building Services which applies to a large house.

## What are the rules for a suite on an acreage?

The County calls every suite, attached or detached, an accessory dwelling unit. As of October 2026, the Land Use Bylaw (section 122 and its definitions) sets these rules:
- No larger than 150 m² (1,615 sq ft) of gross floor area, and one per parcel.
- A permanent foundation, one parking stall and its own County address.
- A detached one must be at least 37.1 m² (399 sq ft), and it counts toward the parcel's accessory building area.

It's a permitted use in A-GEN and A-SML, so it needs no development permit there if it meets the bylaw. But an agricultural parcel under 4.0 ha (9.88 ac) follows the R-RUR uses, where it's discretionary. Garden suites must be applied for with a contractor listed; they "cannot be applied for as homeowner permits" ([Rocky View County, accessory dwelling unit checklist](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2024-12/Accessory-Dwelling-Units_Checklist.pdf)).

A wet bar can make a suite. The County reviews any space with its own cooking, sleeping and sanitary facilities as a possible suite, and counts even a microwave as cooking ([Rocky View County, Guideline ESP-30](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Guideline-What-is-a-Secondary-Suite-Accessory-Dwelling-Unit.pdf)).

## How big can a garage or shop be on an acreage?

It depends on the district. Above the permitted size, it needs a development permit. Here are the three common residential districts:

| District | Minimum parcel | Permitted accessory building | Height limit | Total accessory building cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-RUR, Residential Rural | 1.6 ha (3.95 ac) | Up to 190 m² (2,045 sq ft) | 7.0 m (23 ft) | 380 m² (4,090 sq ft) over 4.0 ha, otherwise 285 m² (3,068 sq ft) |
| R-CRD, Country Residential | 0.8 ha (1.98 ac) | Up to 90 m² (969 sq ft) | 7.0 m (23 ft) | 120 m² (1,292 sq ft) |
| R-URB, Residential Urban | 0.09 ha (0.22 ac) on piped sewer | Up to 65 m² (700 sq ft) | 5.5 m (18 ft 1 in) | 10% of the parcel |

Note: Bylaw sections 318 to 337, as consolidated to Bylaw C-8766-2026. Parcels marked on the land use map can carry different sizes or heights.

In A-GEN and A-SML, an accessory building up to 930 m² (10,010 sq ft) is permitted. For sizing a garage for your vehicles, see the [garage size guide](/room-sizes/garage-size-calgary).

## What changes for a large estate home?

Size can move a house into a stricter part of the building code. The National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, applies Part 9 only to houses of 3 storeys or less with a building area of 600 m² (6,458 sq ft) or less ([NBC(AE) 2023, 1.3.3.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Above that, Part 3 applies.

Rocky View County's guideline, updated 6 March 2026, adds two points ([Rocky View County, Guideline ESP-13](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Guideline-Single-Family-Dwellings-600m2.pdf)):
- A walkout basement counts as the first storey, so three floors above a walkout make four storeys, and that's Part 3.
- A meeting with a Safety Codes Officer is mandatory before you apply if the building area tops 550 m² (5,920 sq ft), or if firewalls or walkways split the house into two buildings.

Building area is the footprint above grade, measured to the outside of the cladding, so settle it before the drawings are final. Over 600 m², the County also wants firefighting water supply and sprinkler plans ([Rocky View County, single-family checklist](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Single-Family-Dwellings_Checklist.pdf)). The [custom home cost guide](/blog/cost-to-build-a-custom-home-in-calgary) covers the budget side.

## How long does a building permit take in Rocky View County?

The County's administrative review "may take 35 days", and an application isn't complete until every document is in. After that, a permit typically issues in 3 to 5 days for a basement, deck, wood stove or kitchen renovation. A house, an addition, a detached garage or a suite takes 10 to 25 business days ([Rocky View County, get a building permit](https://www.rockyview.ca/business-development/building-and-renovating/get-building-permit)).

Permits expire one year after issue. You can get one free one-year extension if you ask in writing before it expires ([Rocky View County, permit FAQ](https://www.rockyview.ca/business-development/building-and-renovating/get-building-permit/bulding-permit-frequently-asked)).

The County publishes monthly counts, not permit-level open data like [Calgary's](/blog/calgary-building-permits). Its August 2026 report shows:

| Permit type | Jan to Aug 2026 | Average declared value | Jan to Aug 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New dwellings | 417 | $593,981 | 546 |
| Accessory dwelling units | 33 | $126,878 | 30 |
| Additions and renovations | 329 | $56,760 | 308 |
| Garages and sheds | 97 | $62,026 | 111 |

Note: Totals divided by permits, from the [August 2026 report](https://www.rockyview.ca/media/3434). Declared values are applicants' estimates, not prices.

## How do you apply?

Online through myBuild, the County's permit portal, or in person at County Hall, 262075 Rocky View Point, with your files on a flash drive. The trade permits go in with the building permit ([Rocky View County, single-family checklist](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Single-Family-Dwellings_Checklist.pdf)). Since 1 March 2026, roof truss designs for houses need an engineer's stamp ([Rocky View County, get a building permit](https://www.rockyview.ca/business-development/building-and-renovating/get-building-permit)).

*Diagram, drawn to scale: A new acreage house in Rocky View County, in order. Pre-application meeting if the building area tops 550 m², then Development permit, if the house or a suite is discretionary, then Building and trade permits in myBuild, then Administrative review, which may take 35 days, then Fees paid, then technical review, then Permit issued, typically 10 to 25 business days. Permits expire one year after issue.*

## Where does a full-size walkthrough fit?

Before the drawings go to the County, while the footprint and room sizes are still cheap to change.

At 1to1 Plans Calgary, in northeast Calgary, your plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, and changes show on the spot. Very large plans are walked a floor or a wing at a time. Daniel, a Calgary custom builder (@daniel_built), walks every client through their plans there before submitting for permits, and in his experience every client changes something.

Sessions are quoted for your plan by its size, and the quote is free; see [pricing](/pricing). [Book a session](/book), or see what it covers for [homeowners](/homeowners) and [builders](/builders). For room minimums, see [room sizes](/room-sizes); for a town lot, the [Airdrie guide](/blog/airdrie-building-permit).

## Questions

### Do I need a building permit for a shed in Rocky View County?

In Rocky View County, a shed needs a building permit once it's over 10 m² (107 sq ft), as of October 2026 ([Rocky View County, get a building permit](https://www.rockyview.ca/business-development/building-and-renovating/get-building-permit)). An unfinished shed under 592 sq ft pays $0.30 per sq ft, with a $160 minimum, plus the 4% levy.

### How much is a building permit in Rocky View County?

A Rocky View County building permit for a house costs $0.58 per sq ft of developed floor area in 2026, plus $0.40 per sq ft of attached garage and a 4% levy, with trade permits extra ([Rocky View County, Master Rates Bylaw](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-12/2026-Master-Rates-Bylaw-C-8701-2026.pdf)).

### Do I need a development permit for a secondary suite in Rocky View County?

In Rocky View County, a suite needs a development permit in the R-RUR, R-CRD and R-URB districts, where it's a discretionary use, as of October 2026. It doesn't in A-GEN or A-SML on parcels of 4.0 ha (9.88 ac) or more, where it's permitted ([Rocky View County, Land Use Bylaw](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-05/RVC-Land-Use-Bylaw.pdf)). The development permit fee is $515.

### Can I build my own house on an acreage in Rocky View County?

Yes. In Rocky View County, an owner who lives in the house can take out its electrical, gas, plumbing and private sewage permits ([Alberta King's Printer, AR 204/2007](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2007_204.pdf)). The County adds a $125 homeowner fee to each electrical, gas or plumbing permit and asks for proof of New Home Warranty registration or an exemption ([Rocky View County, single-family checklist](https://www.rockyview.ca/sites/default/files/2025-06/Single-Family-Dwellings_Checklist.pdf)). A garden suite must be applied for with a contractor.

---

## Backyard suites in Calgary: 2026 rules, incentives and costs

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/backyard-suites-calgary-rules-costs
Updated: 2026-10-05

Since 4 August 2026, a Calgary lot can have a backyard suite or a secondary suite but not both, and a backyard suite needs parking again ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html)). The bylaw caps a backyard suite at 75.0 m² (807 sq ft) of floor area ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, s.352](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)), and the City's incentive closed to new applications on 28 September 2026 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html)). Calgary builders price a suite over an existing garage at $80,000 to $150,000 ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/guides/garage-suite-guide/)), or $200,000 to $350,000+ with a new garage underneath ([Precision Construction & Decora, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)).

Much of what's online still describes the 2024 rules, as do several of the City's own pages. Everything here is as of October 2026. Rules and funding change, so confirm with the City before you apply.


## Key takeaways

- Since 4 August 2026, a Calgary property can have a backyard suite or a secondary suite, not both, and a backyard suite needs a parking stall again ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html)).
- Every backyard suite needs a development permit. As of October 2026, the City's fee table lists it at $0 and the building permit at $1,302.08 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/suites-permit-costs-timelines.html)).
- The Backyard Suite Incentive Program, which paid up to $15,000 toward construction, closed to new applications on 28 September 2026 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html)).
- Calgary builders price a suite over an existing garage at $80,000 to $150,000 ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/guides/garage-suite-guide/)), and a new garage with a suite above at $200,000 to $350,000 or more ([Precision Construction & Decora, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)).
- A backyard suite can have at most 75.0 m² (807 sq ft) of floor area and stand 7.5 m (24 ft 7 in) tall, and the City can relax the area by up to 10% ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, s.352](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)).

## What changed for Calgary backyard suites on 4 August 2026?

Council voted on 8 April 2026 to repeal citywide rezoning, and the repeal took effect on 4 August. That day, 99% of properties went back to their pre-2024 zoning. Council also reversed the suite rules that came with the 2024 rezoning ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html)).

In July 2026, Council made secondary suites a permitted use. City administration recommended the same for backyard suites, but Council kept them a discretionary use ([Global News, 2026](https://globalnews.ca/news/11996705/calgary-maintains-rules-backyard-suites/)). Councillor Rob Ward, who moved the amendment, told Global News a backyard suite is "a new building and every parcel in the city is different." He said the discretionary route lets planners adjust for each lot and gives neighbours a chance to appeal.

The table below draws on the City's [rezoning page](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html), its [Building a backyard suite](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-backyard-suite.html) page and the bylaw, as of October 2026:

| Rule | What it means for you | Where it's stated |
|---|---|---|
| One suite per property | A secondary suite or a backyard suite, not both | Rezoning page |
| No semi-detached lots | No backyard suite with a semi-detached home, except in R-G and R-Gm or if approved before 4 August 2026 | Rezoning page, bylaw s.153.1 |
| Parking is back | Your plans must show the suite's parking stall, its location and size | Rezoning page, backyard suite page |
| Discretionary, except in R-G and R-Gm | A planner reviews each one; in R-G and R-Gm it's a permitted use | Rezoning page, bylaw |
| Development permit first | You always need one, before the building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits | Backyard suite page |
| Size limit unchanged | A proposed larger maximum didn't pass, so the 75.0 m² cap stands | Rezoning page, Global News, bylaw s.352 |
| Existing garage as the base | Only if an engineer approves the structure, and footings must go below the frost line (4 ft or deeper) | Backyard suite page |
| Suite over a garage | A fire separation rated at least 1 hour if the garage serves the house and the suite, plus a sound transmission class (STC) rating of at least 50 | Backyard suite page |
| Near the airport | Backyard suites are restricted in the Airport Vicinity Protection Area | Backyard suite page |

Here's where each suite type is allowed, from the bylaw as consolidated to 15 September 2026 ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)):

| District | Backyard suite | Secondary suite |
|---|---|---|
| R-C1L, R-C1, R-C1N, R-1, R-1N and their "s" versions | Discretionary | Permitted |
| R-C2, R-2, R-2M, R-CG | Discretionary | Permitted |
| R-G, R-Gm | Permitted | Permitted |
| R-CGex, R-MH | Not allowed | Not allowed |

Note: direct control districts set their own rules. Look up your district with the City's land use tool.

### Which City pages are out of date?

As of 5 October 2026, the City's own pages contradict the bylaw in places. The [Building a backyard suite](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-backyard-suite.html) page and the [Adding a secondary suite](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html) FAQ **still say a property can have both suites**. The [rezoning page](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html) dates the zoning changes to 2024 in its update notice. The listed use matrix and the Land Use Bylaw amendments page also predate the repeal. Go by the bylaw, and call the Planning Services Centre at 403-268-5311 if anything's unclear.

For a sense of the odds, the City approved 190 of the 192 backyard suite development permit applications submitted in 2025 ([Global News, 2026](https://globalnews.ca/news/11996705/calgary-maintains-rules-backyard-suites/)). Those applications went in under the old rules, so check parking and the one-suite limit first.

## What happened to the Backyard Suite Incentive Program?

It's closed. The City launched it on 2 March 2026 with $10 million from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://newsroom.calgary.ca/city-of-calgary-launches-backyard-suite-incentive-program/)). It paid up to $15,000 toward construction, plus amounts for servicing, accessible design and designs with no bylaw relaxations ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/backyard-suites-incentive-program.html)). Applications closed on 28 September 2026 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html)).

So budget a new suite without a grant. Recipients also agreed to no short-term rental licence for one year for every $10,000 received.

## How big can a backyard suite be in Calgary?

The size limits sit in section 352 of the bylaw, and districts can add their own ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, s.352](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)):

| Rule | Limit, as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Floor area | 75.0 m² (807 sq ft), not counting stairs and internal landings up to 2.5 m²; relaxable by up to 10% |
| Height | 7.5 m (24 ft 7 in), dropping to 5.0 m at a side line and 3.0 m at a rear line shared with a low-density lot |
| Rear setback | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) for the suite, 0.6 m for any garage part |
| Side setback | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) |
| Distance from the house | 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in), or 1.5 m with a shared amenity space at grade |
| Private outdoor space | 7.5 m² (81 sq ft), no side under 1.5 m; not required in R-CG |

Note: bylaw maximums and minimums, not design advice. R-G sets its own height, 10.0 m on a laned parcel.

## What does a backyard suite cost in Calgary?

For the builds below, Calgary builders' 2026 ranges run from $80,000 to $350,000+. **The garage makes the biggest difference.** Building a suite on a sound existing garage costs far less than building the garage too.

| Cost or City fee, as of October 2026 | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Suite built above an existing garage, 500 to 700 sq ft | $80,000 to $150,000 | [OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/guides/garage-suite-guide/) |
| Detached laneway home, 600 to 800 sq ft | $100,000 to $200,000+ | [OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/guides/garage-suite-guide/) |
| New double garage with a one-bedroom suite above | $200,000 to $350,000+ | [Precision Construction & Decora, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026) |
| Development permit fee | $0 on the City's fee table | [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/suites-permit-costs-timelines.html) |
| Building permit fee | $1,302.08 ($1,252 plus the 4% safety codes fee) | [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/suites-permit-costs-timelines.html) |

OAF's range assumes your garage and its foundation can carry a suite. If the garage is undersized or damaged, OAF says costs rise quickly. The City is blunter: most existing garages need extensive upgrades first ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/backyard-suites-incentive-program.html)).

Precision Construction & Decora's range covers a new double garage with a one-bedroom suite above, and it moves with finishes and servicing. Neither range is a quote, so get your own.

Fees change, so check the City's fee table again when you apply. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas permits are separate.

The communities where Calgarians have built the most backyard suites since 2023, from the City's permit data:

Calgary communities with the most backyard suites, permits issued 2023 to 29 September 2026:

| Rank | Community | Sector | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeland/Riverside | Centre | 14 | $124,883 |
| 2 | Greenwood/Greenbriar | Northwest | 13 | $114,392 |
| 3 | Taradale | Northeast | 13 | $129,878 |
| 4 | Inglewood | Centre | 12 | $108,814 |
| 5 | Renfrew | Centre | 12 | $122,671 |
| 6 | Thorncliffe | North | 11 | $123,051 |
| 7 | Brentwood | Northwest | 9 | $125,715 |
| 8 | Ogden | Southeast | 9 | $135,706 |
| 9 | Capitol Hill | Centre | 8 | $132,234 |
| 10 | Currie Barracks | West | 8 | $113,810 |

Among the 97 communities with a page on this site. Declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It is not a quote and runs below real costs. Medians are shown only where a category has at least 5 permits. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.

## Why walk a plan under 900 sq ft before you build?

In a suite capped at 75.0 m² (807 sq ft), every foot is doing a job. The bed, the sofa, the kitchen counter and the path between them all compete for the same floor. Council didn't raise the cap, so a tight plan gets fixed through its layout, and you settle that in the drawings, before the development permit.

A full-size walkthrough tests those choices while they're cheap to change. At the studio, your plan is lit from inside a walkable LED floor, room by room, with room names and dimension lines. Freestanding walls, a sofa, a dining table, chairs and a bathtub on wheels show what fits. Changes go up on the floor on the spot, and you keep the session recording.

On 13 September 2025, the studio hosted a backyard suite open house where Bode Plans showed one of its suite plans at full size ([Bode Plans, 2025](https://www.instagram.com/p/DOIGDaFDuOl/)). Sessions are quoted by plan size, with nothing to pay at booking. The studio counts the whole plan, so a suite over a garage includes the garage. See [suite and renovation sessions](/renovations), [how sessions are quoted](/pricing) and [how a session works](/how-it-works). When you [book a session](/book), send your plan at least three days ahead, as a PDF or a DWG drawing file.

## Questions

### Can I have a basement suite and a backyard suite in Calgary?

Not since 4 August 2026. A property can have a secondary suite or a backyard suite, not both ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html)). If your house already has a secondary suite, you can't add a backyard suite. Two City pages still show the old rule, so confirm for your address.

### Is the Calgary backyard suite incentive still open?

No. The Backyard Suite Incentive Program closed to new applications on 28 September 2026, along with the secondary suite incentive ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html)).

### Can I build a backyard suite on top of my existing garage?

Only if an engineer reviews and approves the structure. The suite also needs footings below the frost line, 4 ft or deeper ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-backyard-suite.html)). The City also says most existing garages need extensive upgrades first.

### Do I need a development permit for a backyard suite?

Yes. Every backyard suite needs one before its other permits. As of October 2026, the City's fee table lists the development permit at $0 and the building permit at $1,302.08 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/suites-permit-costs-timelines.html)).

---

## Calgary building permit fees and timelines in 2026

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/calgary-building-permits
Updated: 2026-09-25

As of September 2026, the City of Calgary charges a flat building permit fee for most home projects, with the 4% Safety Codes Council levy included ([The City of Calgary, fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)). It's $205.92 for a deck, $333.84 for a new basement, a detached garage or an addition under 400 sq ft, $403.52 for a new secondary suite and $1,302.08 for a backyard suite or a larger addition. A new house pays $112 plus $10.14 for every $1,000 of construction value, and the City's fee calculator values single-detached living area at $150.35 per sq ft ([The City of Calgary, fee calculator 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/permits/fee-calculator-new-homes.html)).

## Key takeaways

- As of September 2026, a Calgary building permit costs $205.92 for a deck, $333.84 for a new basement, garage or addition under 400 sq ft and $1,302.08 for a backyard suite, levy included ([The City of Calgary, fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)).
- A new house valued at the 2025 median of $348,815 ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)) pays $3,843.02 in building permit fees ([The City of Calgary, fee calculator 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/permits/fee-calculator-new-homes.html)).
- A backyard suite always needs a development permit first, and that permit costs $0 until 31 December 2026 under the City's suite amnesty ([The City of Calgary, planning fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/planning-applications-fee-schedule.pdf)).
- The City estimates about 7 days for an addition's building permit ([The City of Calgary, additions](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/additions.html)), but the median addition permit in 2025 took 29 days from application to issue ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

## Which home projects need a building permit in Calgary?

A new house, an addition and either kind of suite always need one, and a basement, garage or deck needs one past a set size or height. A development permit comes on top when a design breaks a Land Use Bylaw rule.

Here's when each project needs each permit, as of September 2026:

| Project | Building permit | Development permit as well |
|---|---|---|
| New house | Yes ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)) | Always in the developed area, or when it needs a relaxation |
| Addition | Yes; sunrooms, covered decks and attached garages count ([additions](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/additions.html)) | When it breaks a bylaw rule, as an upper-floor addition over 10 m² (107 sq ft) or a main-floor one over 40 m² (431 sq ft) does |
| Basement | First-time development, moved walls or new openings ([The City of Calgary, basements](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)) | When the design breaks a bylaw rule |
| Secondary suite | Yes ([The City of Calgary, secondary suites](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)) | When suites are discretionary in your district or the design breaks a rule |
| Backyard suite | Yes ([The City of Calgary, backyard suites](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-backyard-suite.html)) | Yes, before any other permit |
| Detached garage | Over 10 m² (107 sq ft) ([The City of Calgary, garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)) | Over 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) high, over 75 m² (807 sq ft) or bigger than the house |
| Deck | Covered, or any point more than 0.6 m (2 ft) above grade ([The City of Calgary, decks](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/decks.html)) | In front of the house, or within 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) of a side property line or 6 m (19 ft 8 in) of the rear one |

Note: A summary of the City's project pages, not the full bylaw; check your address with its land use tool.

## What does a building permit cost in Calgary in 2026?

Every project here except a new house pays a flat fee, whatever the work is worth. These are the City's 2026 building and [planning application](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/planning-applications-fee-schedule.pdf) fees, as of September 2026:

| Project | Building permit | Development permit, if needed |
|---|---|---|
| New house | $112 plus $10.14 per $1,000 of value, plus the 4% levy | $1,859 in the developed area, or $1,078 for a contextual design |
| Addition under 400 sq ft | $333.84 | $395 up to 10 m², $775 to $1,247 over 10 m² (developed area) |
| Addition over 400 sq ft | $1,302.08 | As above |
| First-time basement development | $333.84 | $550 |
| Renovating a house or developed basement | $205.92 | $550 |
| New secondary suite | $403.52 | $0 until 31 December 2026 |
| Backyard suite | $1,302.08 | $0 until 31 December 2026 |
| Detached garage | $333.84 | $550 |
| Deck | $205.92 | $550 |

Note: City fees as of September 2026. Flat fees include the 4% Safety Codes Council levy, and trade permits are extra except on a new house.

**A new house is the one project where value sets the fee.** The calculator rounds the value up to the next $1,000, so a house valued at the 2025 median of $348,815 pays $3,538.86 plus the $112 fee. The 4% levy ($146.03), a $20 lot grading fee and a $26.13 water fee bring it to $3,843.02. That permit also covers the house's electrical, plumbing, gas and heating work ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)).

Other projects need their own trade permits: $116.50 each for a homeowner doing the work, or $112 plus $9.79 per $1,000 of the trade work when a contractor pulls it. Start work before the permit is issued and the fee doubles ([The City of Calgary, fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)).

## What is the declared value, and why is it so low?

It's the construction value on the permit application. For a new house, the calculator sets it at fixed rates per sq ft: $150.35 for single-detached living area, $34.36 for a developed basement and $47.43 for an attached garage. They leave out land, design fees and the goods and services tax (GST) ([The City of Calgary, fee calculator 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/permits/fee-calculator-new-homes.html)).

Builders charge far more: Altus Group puts 2026 Calgary hard costs at $180 to $275 per sq ft for a standard house with an unfinished basement and $495 to $1,135 for a custom home ([Altus Group, 2026](https://image.hello.altusgroup.com/lib/fe2d11747364047a721170/m/1/Altus_2026_Canadian-Cost-Guide_ENG.pdf)). The City's $150.35 sits below both, so declared values trail what you'll pay, as the [custom home cost guide](/blog/cost-to-build-a-custom-home-in-calgary) shows.

**For the other six projects the fee is flat, so the declared value doesn't change what you pay.** It's the applicant's own estimate, not a quote. Here's what 2025's permits show for all seven:

Seven common home projects, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| New house | 4,550 | $348,815 |
| Addition | 459 | $54,183 |
| Basement development | 1,514 | $32,504 |
| Basement suite, existing house | 2,126 | $63,751 |
| Backyard garage suite | 179 | $130,044 |
| Detached garage | 2,854 | $42,434 |
| Deck | 721 | $5,637 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Note: Medians of declared values, not prices. The [home addition cost guide](/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary) explains why the addition median is only $54,183.

## How long does a building permit take in Calgary?

About a week for most home projects and three weeks for a new house, by the City's estimates. A development permit, when you need one, adds 10 to 12 weeks before that. Here are the estimates beside the days 2025's permits took from application to issue ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)):

| Project | City's estimate | 2025 median | Slowest quarter took at least |
|---|---|---|---|
| New house | About 21 days | 14 days | 24 days |
| Addition | About 7 days | 29 days | 73 days |
| Basement development | About 7 days | 8 days | 15 days |
| Basement suite, existing house | About 7 days to legalize one | 18 days | 40 days |
| Backyard garage suite | Not stated | 54 days | 92 days |
| Detached garage | About 7 days | 8 days | 20 days |
| Deck | About 7 days | 12 days | 25 days |

Note: City estimates as of September 2026. The 2025 columns count calendar days from application to issue, not any earlier development permit.

Between April and June 2026, infill houses got permission to start within the City's 14-day target 72% of the time ([The City of Calgary, safety approval timelines](https://www.calgary.ca/development/safety-approval-timelines.html)). Development permits for houses in established areas averaged 70 days ([The City of Calgary, development approval timelines](https://www.calgary.ca/development/development-approval-timelines.html)). The City puts approval to start a new home at about 2 to 3 months in all ([The City of Calgary, approval timelines](https://www.calgary.ca/development/timelines.html)).

## In what order do the approvals come?

The development permit comes first, then the building permit, trade permits, inspections and occupancy ([The City of Calgary, safety approval timelines](https://www.calgary.ca/development/safety-approval-timelines.html)).

For a knock-down, the demolition permit goes in before the new house's building permit, or after its development permit. In established areas, a $94 partial permit lets the foundation start while the review finishes. A new house is inspected before backfill, before drywall and before possession, and the City issues permission to occupy once the final inspections pass ([The City of Calgary, new houses](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-house-construction.html)).

## What changed for suites on 4 August 2026?

Since 4 August 2026, a Calgary property can have a secondary suite or a backyard suite, not both. Bylaw 26P2026 made secondary suites a permitted use in all low-density districts, so a suite that follows every rule goes straight to a building permit. Backyard suites stay discretionary except in R-G and need parking again ([The City of Calgary, rezoning](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html)). The [basement suite](/blog/legal-basement-suite-calgary) and [backyard suite](/blog/backyard-suites-calgary-rules-costs) guides cover costs and layout.

Three City pages haven't caught up as of 25 September 2026. The backyard suite page says a house "can have both a secondary suite and a backyard suite" ([The City of Calgary, backyard suites](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-backyard-suite.html)). The secondary suite page's FAQ says the same, though its rule list doesn't ([The City of Calgary, secondary suites](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)). The rezoning page's banner dates the change to 2024.

This guide follows the rezoning page's summary of Council's 2026 decisions, because it records what Council passed. Confirm your address with the City at 403-268-5311.

## Where does a full-size walkthrough fit?

Before you apply. A permit review checks drawings against the rules, not whether the rooms work for you.

At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, with room names and dimension lines, and changes show on the floor on the spot. Daniel, a Calgary custom builder (@daniel_built), walks every client through their plans there before submitting for permits, and in his experience every client changes something.

A session is two hours and is quoted for your plan, with nothing to pay at booking; send the plan through the [pricing page](/pricing) for a free quote. See sessions for [homeowners](/homeowners) and [renovations](/renovations), or [book one](/book) and send plans as a PDF or AutoCAD (DWG) file at least three days ahead.

## Questions

### Do I need a building permit for a deck in Calgary?

In Calgary, a deck needs a building permit if it's covered or if any point of an uncovered deck is more than 0.6 m (2 ft) above grade, as of September 2026. The permit is $205.92 and the City estimates about 7 days ([The City of Calgary, decks](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/decks.html)).

### How much is a building permit for basement development in Calgary?

A building permit to develop a Calgary basement for the first time costs $333.84 as of September 2026, and renovating a developed basement costs $205.92 ([The City of Calgary, basements](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)). Electrical and plumbing permits are separate, at $116.50 each for a homeowner doing the work. A kitchen and a bathroom together make it a secondary suite.

### Do I need a permit for a detached garage in Calgary?

Yes, a detached garage in Calgary needs a building permit once it's larger than 10 m² (107 sq ft). The permit is $333.84 as of September 2026, and a new garage also needs an electrical permit ([The City of Calgary, garages](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).

A garage taller than 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) or larger than 75 m² (807 sq ft) needs a development permit too. For sizing, see the [garage size guide](/room-sizes/garage-size-calgary).

### What's the difference between a development permit and a building permit in Calgary?

In Calgary, a development permit checks a project against the Land Use Bylaw: its use, size, height and position on the lot. A building permit checks the structure against building safety requirements ([The City of Calgary, additions](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/additions.html)). When a project needs both, the development permit comes first.

---

## Cost to build a house in Calgary in 2026, and the cost people forget

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/cost-to-build-a-custom-home-in-calgary
Updated: 2026-10-05

A custom house in Calgary costs $495 to $1,135 per square foot to build in 2026, counting hard construction costs only ([Altus Group, 2026](https://image.hello.altusgroup.com/lib/fe2d11747364047a721170/m/1/Altus_2026_Canadian-Cost-Guide_ENG.pdf)). Land, GST, design fees, permits, site work and contingency all come on top. A standard single-family house with an unfinished basement, the kind production builders sell, runs $180 to $275 per square foot on the same basis.

For context, the median newly built single-detached home in the city sold for $805,000 in 2025. That's up 49% since 2020 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/cfod/finance/documents/corporate-economics/housing-review/housing-review-q2-2026.pdf)). Then there's the cost people forget to budget for: the changes you make after you sign the build contract.


## Key takeaways

- A custom house in Calgary costs $495 to $1,135 per square foot to build in 2026, counting hard construction costs only ([Altus Group, 2026](https://image.hello.altusgroup.com/lib/fe2d11747364047a721170/m/1/Altus_2026_Canadian-Cost-Guide_ENG.pdf)).
- A standard single-family house with an unfinished basement costs $180 to $275 per square foot on the same basis.
- The median permit for a new single-family house in Calgary declared $348,815 of construction value in 2025 ([The City of Calgary open data, 2026](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)). That is the applicant's estimate, not a final cost.
- At Altus's rates, a 2,500 sq ft custom home costs $1.24 million to $2.84 million to build before any of those extras.
- Change orders added 3.2% to 5.04% to project costs on average in a study of 18,229 American projects ([AIA Contract Documents, 2023](https://learn.aiacontracts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Truth-About-Change-Orders.pdf)). In Calgary, moving one wall or door after framing runs $1,500 to $3,000 with markup ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)).
- Osprey Homes, a Calgary custom builder, suggests holding a 15 to 20% contingency ([Osprey Homes, 2025](https://ospreyhomes.ca/blog/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-planning-a-custom-home-build/)).

## How much does it cost per square foot to build a house in Calgary?

A custom home costs roughly three to four times as much per square foot as a standard build. Altus Group's annual cost guide covers nine Canadian markets, and its 2026 figures are current as at January 31, 2026. Here are three Calgary rows from page 5 of the [2026 Canadian Cost Guide](https://image.hello.altusgroup.com/lib/fe2d11747364047a721170/m/1/Altus_2026_Canadian-Cost-Guide_ENG.pdf):

| Home type (Altus category) | Calgary hard cost per sq ft, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Custom-built single-family | $495 to $1,135 |
| Single-family with unfinished basement | $180 to $275 |
| Row townhouse with unfinished basement | $190 to $255 |

Altus says quality, the building's shape and size, the schedule, the site and the type of contract decide where you land in the range. Its rates also assume a level, open lot with stable soil. A sloped acreage or a tight infill lot sits outside those assumptions.

Measure the right area, too. Altus counts floor area to the outside face of the exterior walls and leaves the garage and unfinished basement out. It warns that using the zoning floor area from your drawings can understate costs by as much as 12% ([Altus Group, 2026](https://image.hello.altusgroup.com/lib/fe2d11747364047a721170/m/1/Altus_2026_Canadian-Cost-Guide_ENG.pdf)).

## What does the per-square-foot price leave out?

Everything except construction. Altus's rates cover hard costs only, and its notes list what sits outside them. For a house, the big items are:

- land and related costs
- the federal Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- architectural and engineering fees
- permits and development charges
- site development, surveys and soil tests
- interest and lender fees
- contingency

Osprey Homes, a Calgary custom builder, gives a similar list of costs its clients overlook. It names site preparation and utility hookups, permit fees and inspections, outdoor work, upgraded finishes and change orders during construction. It suggests a 15 to 20% contingency ([Osprey Homes, 2025](https://ospreyhomes.ca/blog/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-planning-a-custom-home-build/)).

## What does a 2,500 or 3,500 sq ft custom home cost to build?

At Altus's rates, a 2,500 sq ft custom home costs $1.24 million to $2.84 million to build. A 3,500 sq ft home costs $1.73 million to $3.97 million. Both are hard construction costs only, with no land, GST, design fees, permits, site work or contingency.

| Home size (no garage or unfinished basement) | Hard cost at $495 per sq ft | Hard cost at $1,135 per sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 2,500 sq ft | $1,237,500 | $2,837,500 |
| 3,500 sq ft | $1,732,500 | $3,972,500 |

Now put that beside the City's number. The median new single-detached home in Calgary sold for $805,000 in 2025 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/cfod/finance/documents/corporate-economics/housing-review/housing-review-q2-2026.pdf)). That figure comes from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Its survey counts the unit, the land and net GST in the price ([CMHC](https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals/housing-markets-data-and-research/housing-research/surveys/methods/methodologies-starts-completions-market-absorption-survey)).

So even the cheapest line in this table costs more to build than the median new house cost to buy, lot included. Homes over $1 million are also becoming more common. They made up 18% of new single-detached sales in the city in 2025. Five years earlier, the share was 10% ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/cfod/finance/documents/corporate-economics/housing-review/housing-review-q2-2026.pdf)).

## What do Calgary building permits say new houses cost?

They give a local floor, not a price. Every new house in Calgary needs a building permit, and the application states a construction value. Here are the 2025 medians from the City's open data:

New houses, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family house | 4,550 | $348,815 |
| Semi-detached home, one unit | 1,480 | $184,868 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Note: declared values are the applicant's estimate at the permit stage, not what the house cost to build.

For a new house, that value sets the permit fee. The City charges $112 plus $10.14 per $1,000 of construction value, counting labour and materials, with the trade permits included ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)). At the $348,815 median, that's about $3,650 plus a 4% Safety Codes Council fee.

As a cost guide, though, it falls short. It leaves out land, GST and design fees, and it's written before the build starts, so it can't include change orders. It also covers every new house, not just custom ones. Divided by the construction area on each permit, the 2025 median works out to about $161 per sq ft (calculated from [The City of Calgary's open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed) on 5 October 2026). That's below even Altus's $180 floor for a standard house, so use it as a lower bound.

## What cost do people forget to budget for?

Change orders. A change order is a priced, written change to the work after you sign the contract, such as moving a wall or widening a window. Osprey Homes lists them among the costs clients overlook. Some come from hidden problems or builder errors, and the ones you start yourself come from decisions made after signing.

One large dataset shows the scale. Across 18,229 completed American building projects, change orders added 3.2% to the cost of the smallest projects on average. For projects worth $1 million to $5 million, the average was 5.04% ([AIA Contract Documents, 2023](https://learn.aiacontracts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Truth-About-Change-Orders.pdf)). Every home in the worked example above falls in that band.

This is American data across 22 building types, so treat it as a yardstick for a Calgary house. At the 5.04% average, change orders would add:

| Home size | Hard cost | Change orders at 5.04% |
|---|---|---|
| 2,500 sq ft | $1,237,500 to $2,837,500 | about $62,000 to $143,000 |
| 3,500 sq ft | $1,732,500 to $3,972,500 | about $87,000 to $200,000 |

The average hides a long tail. For projects in that band, the report's typical range tops out at 15.19%, so about one project in ten went further.

## What does it cost to move a wall in Calgary?

In Calgary, moving a wall or door costs $1,500 to $3,000 including markup, according to a local contractor's 2026 price guide. OAF Construction, a Calgary and Airdrie renovation company, published these change-order prices in February 2026 ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)):

| Change | Typical cost | With markup |
|---|---|---|
| Relocate a wall or door | $1,200 to $2,500 | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Several small changes | $5,000 to $10,000 | $6,500 to $12,000 |

OAF wrote its guide for basement renovations, so read it as a local price signal rather than a new-build quote. Its markups run 15 to 25% on materials and 20 to 30% on labour. Subcontracted work carries 15 to 20%.

One example from the same guide: after framing, a City inspector found a wall 6 inches off the permit drawings, and moving it cost $1,800. That one was the contractor's error, but the lesson holds for owners. A line on a drawing is cheap to move. A framed wall isn't.

## Lock the layout before you sign the build contract

The cheapest time to change a layout is before you sign. Osprey Homes says decisions made in planning are "far less expensive than making changes once construction begins" ([Osprey Homes, 2025](https://ospreyhomes.ca/blog/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-planning-a-custom-home-build/)). OAF's advice is to settle every decision before work starts. Five ways to keep the change-order line small:

- **Settle every room before you sign.** OAF says a contract should spell out exact room dimensions and layouts, plus every finish. A builder can't firmly price a layout that's still moving.

- **Test the plan against how you live.** Broadview Homes, a Calgary builder, warns that a room's listed dimensions can make it seem big enough when it isn't. It suggests measuring your furniture, charting it on graph paper and walking several showhomes ([Broadview Homes, 2017](https://www.broadviewhomescalgary.com/floor-plan-mistakes-avoid-building-new-home-nsbp/)).

- **Plan for the next 10 to 15 years.** Osprey suggests thinking now about wider doorways, a main-floor bedroom and extra storage. It says choices like these can save an expensive renovation later.

- **Write the change process into the contract.** OAF lists what it should state: what triggers a change order, how changes get priced and approved, and the markup percentage. Approve every change in writing, never verbally.

- **Hold a contingency.** Osprey suggests 15 to 20% for unexpected costs. The fewer layout changes you make after signing, the more of it you keep.

Where the most new single-detached houses have been permitted since 2023, from the City's permit data:

Calgary communities with the most new single-detached houses, permits issued 2023 to 29 September 2026:

| Rank | Community | Sector | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Livingston | North | 1,148 | $332,008 |
| 2 | Cornerstone | Northeast | 1,102 | $332,282 |
| 3 | Rangeview | Southeast | 1,012 | $278,658 |
| 4 | Glacier Ridge | North | 883 | $313,166 |
| 5 | Mahogany | Southeast | 865 | $353,011 |
| 6 | Haskayne | Northwest | 861 | $376,530 |
| 7 | Pine Creek | South | 837 | $350,996 |
| 8 | Alpine Park | South | 826 | $352,118 |
| 9 | Legacy | South | 638 | $352,890 |
| 10 | Moraine | North | 634 | $319,214 |

Among the 97 communities with a page on this site. Declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It is not a quote and runs below real costs. Medians are shown only where a category has at least 5 permits. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.

## Where a full-size walkthrough fits

A full-size walkthrough is one way to test the plan before you sign. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, the floor you walk on lights up with your plan at full size, including room names and dimension lines. You can move freestanding walls and studio furniture (sofas, a dining table, a bathtub on wheels) to check fit. Changes show up on the floor right away, and you keep a recording of the session.

Daniel, a Calgary custom builder (@daniel_built), walks every client through their plans at the studio before submitting for permits. In his experience, every client changes something: a wider island, a bigger pantry, a window moved.

A session is two hours and is quoted for your plan by its size. The quote is free and nothing is due at booking. Weigh it against OAF's with-markup price for moving a single wall after framing.

Send plans as a PDF or AutoCAD (DWG) file at least three days ahead. See [how a session works](/how-it-works), [what homeowners use it for](/homeowners) and [how sessions are quoted](/pricing), or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### How much does it cost per square foot to build a house in Calgary?

In 2026, it's $495 to $1,135 per sq ft for a custom home. A standard single-family home with an unfinished basement costs $180 to $275. Both are hard construction costs only ([Altus Group, 2026](https://image.hello.altusgroup.com/lib/fe2d11747364047a721170/m/1/Altus_2026_Canadian-Cost-Guide_ENG.pdf)).

### Does the cost per square foot include land and GST?

No. Altus's rates leave out land, GST, design fees, permits, site development and contingency. Budget for each one separately.

### How much should I budget for change orders?

Osprey Homes suggests a 15 to 20% contingency and lists change orders among the costs clients overlook ([Osprey Homes, 2025](https://ospreyhomes.ca/blog/common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-planning-a-custom-home-build/)). In American data, change orders added 3.2% to 5.04% on average ([AIA Contract Documents, 2023](https://learn.aiacontracts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Truth-About-Change-Orders.pdf)). In Calgary, moving one wall or door runs $1,500 to $3,000 with markup ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)).

### When should the floor plan be final?

Before you sign the build contract. Before signing, a change is an edit to a drawing. After framing, it's a change order with labour and markup attached.

---

## How much does it cost to move a wall in a house in Calgary?

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/cost-to-move-a-wall-after-framing-calgary
Updated: 2026-10-05

Once the framing is up, moving a wall or door in a Calgary house is typically a **$1,500 to $3,000 change order**, markup included ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)). Before permits, the same move is a revision to the drawings. Every stage the house passes makes the same change cost more.

A change order is the written, priced amendment a builder issues when the work changes after both sides sign the contract. OAF Construction, a Calgary renovation contractor, puts a typical run of small ones on one job at $6,500 to $12,000, markup included ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)).


## Key takeaways

- Once the framing is up, moving a wall or door in a Calgary house is typically a $1,500 to $3,000 change order, markup included ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)).
- Before permits, the same move is a revision to the drawings.
- Bigger changes cost more: moving a basement stairwell runs $18,000 to $40,000 ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)), and Calgary contractors price removing a load-bearing wall at $3,000 to $20,000, depending on the span ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/); [Kay2 Contracting, 2026](https://kay2.ca/blogs/what-is-the-typical-cost-of-renovating-a-house-in-calgary/)).
- Across 18,229 American projects, change orders added 3.2% to 5.04% on average, and most landed in the second half of the project ([AIA Contract Documents, 2023](https://learn.aiacontracts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Truth-About-Change-Orders.pdf)).
- Some change orders can't be prevented, like water damage found behind an old wall. The ones you choose cost least while they're still on paper.

## Why does moving a wall cost more after framing?

Because every stage adds work that someone has to undo. On a drawing, a wall is a line. Once it's framed, it's studs and plates, often with wiring, pipes or ducts running through it. After drywall, it's all of that plus board, tape, mud and paint.

Architects call this the MacLeamy curve, after the architect [Patrick MacLeamy](https://macleamy.com/about-patrick/). It first appeared in a 2004 white paper from the Construction Users Roundtable. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reproduced it in its 2007 guide to integrated project delivery ([AIA, 2007](https://help.aiacontracts.org/public/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/IPD_Guide.pdf)).

The chart runs from first sketch to construction and has two lines. One line falls. It shows your ability to shape what the building costs and how it works. The other line climbs, and it shows the cost of making a design change.

The curve illustrates a concept. It plots no measured data and carries no dollar figures, so this guide's prices come from Calgary contractors.

## When does a change cost almost nothing, and when does it cost thousands?

It costs almost nothing while the house exists only on paper, and thousands once the wall goes up. Here's what moving one interior wall involves at each stage.

| Stage | What moving the wall involves | What it costs |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Redrawing a line. Doors, windows and furniture move with it on paper. | A drawing revision |
| Before permits | Updating every sheet that shows the wall. A load-bearing wall also needs an engineer and a properly sized beam. | Drafting time, plus engineering if the wall carries load |
| After framing | Taking the framed wall apart and rebuilding it in its new spot, along with any wiring, pipes or ducts inside it | $1,500 to $3,000 with markup ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)) |
| After drywall | All of the framing work, then new drywall, taping and paint, plus any trim or flooring that needs patching | Not priced separately in these sources. Expect more than after framing, because finished work comes out too |

OAF's range comes from renovation jobs; on a new build, the price depends on what's inside the wall.

Framing is also when mistakes show up. In one example OAF gives, a City inspector finds a wall framed 6 inches off the permit drawings. Moving it is an $1,800 change order ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)). OAF's position is that when the mistake is the contractor's, the contractor should absorb it.

## What do common changes cost in Calgary?

Small changes cost hundreds of dollars. Anything that touches structure, plumbing or stairs costs thousands. These 2026 figures come from three Calgary contractors: OAF Construction, Precision Construction & Decora (PCND) and Pinnacle Group.

| Change | Calgary price, 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Move an electrical outlet | $400 to $750 with markup | [OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/) |
| Move a wall or door | $1,500 to $3,000 with markup | [OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/) |
| Move the gas line for a range | $800 to $2,500 | [PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026) |
| Move a sink or dishwasher to a new wall or island | $2,000 to $6,000 | [PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026) |
| Add a basement egress window (window, installation and well) | $2,000 to $5,000 per opening | [OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/) |
| Move a basement stairwell | $18,000 to $40,000 | [Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/) |
| Create a side entrance for a basement suite | $22,000 to $45,000 | [Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/) |
| Several small change orders on one job | $6,500 to $12,000 with markup | [OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/) |

OAF lists its figures as change-order prices. The others are what the work costs inside a planned renovation. Decide on the same change after the first version goes up and you also pay to undo it.

Kitchens show the spread best. PCND says moving the layout is what separates a $45,000 kitchen from a $90,000 one. Leave the sink, range and fridge roughly where they are, and the plumbing, gas and main wiring stay put. Move them and you're into City of Calgary permits and inspections ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026)).

PCND's advice is to settle the design before demolition starts. It calls mid-build changes "the single most expensive way to spend money on a renovation".

Basements show the top end. The stairwell and the side entrance are the two biggest lines in the table, and on a new build you decide both on the drawings.

## What does it cost to remove a load-bearing wall in Calgary?

As of October 2026, Calgary contractors price it at $3,000 to $20,000 or more. The span, the beam and what's inside the wall set the price. Every job needs a structural engineer, a properly sized beam and a City building permit, because the permit covers moving or removing walls on any floor ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)). Here are the published line items:

| Line item | Calgary price, 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| One beam in a basement, including engineering, posts and installation | $3,000 to $8,000 | [OAF Construction, February 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/) |
| Several structural changes or complex spans in a basement | $8,000 to $15,000 or more | [OAF Construction, February 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/) |
| Remove a load-bearing wall and add an engineered beam, in a kitchen | $4,000 to $12,000 or more | [PCND, May 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026) |
| Remove a load-bearing wall to open a kitchen to the dining area | $8,000 to $20,000 | [Kay2 Contracting, August 2026](https://kay2.ca/blogs/what-is-the-typical-cost-of-renovating-a-house-in-calgary/) |
| City building permit for renovating an existing house | $205.92 | [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html) |

Note: these are renovation prices for taking out an existing wall, not quotes. Electrical and plumbing permits are separate.

What's in the wall adds to it. PCND says relocating the sink or stove, or removing a wall, can add $10,000 to $30,000 of plumbing, gas, electrical and structural work ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/kitchen-renovation-cost-calgary-2026)). Kay2 adds that older Calgary homes often turn up undersized beams or missing posts once walls are open, and it tells owners to hold back 10% to 15% for what demolition finds.

On a new build, none of this applies yet. Before framing, a load-bearing wall is a drafting and engineering change.

## How much do change orders add to a whole project?

**About 3% to 5% of the contract, on average.** AIA Contract Documents and Catina studied the change orders on 18,229 completed American projects ([AIA Contract Documents, 2023](https://learn.aiacontracts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Truth-About-Change-Orders.pdf)).

On the smallest projects, those under $500,000 in American dollars, change orders added 3.2% on average. That's $3,200 on every $100,000 of contract value. The highest average was 5.04%, on projects of $1 million to $5 million.

The data is American, and only about 8% of the projects were single-family homes ([AIA Contract Documents, 2023](https://learn.aiacontracts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Truth-About-Change-Orders.pdf)). It also covers every kind of change order, from owner requests to surprises on site and code changes.

The useful part is the timing. Most change orders landed in the second half of projects, more so on bigger ones. That's the expensive end of the MacLeamy curve, where a change means undoing work that's already built.

OAF, for one, builds an 8% to 12% contingency into its fixed-price basement jobs to cover unknowns ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)).

## Is rework as expensive as people say?

Probably less than the scary numbers suggest. In a study summarized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), one contractor's quality managers totalled what fixing substandard site work had cost across their projects. It averaged **0.38% of contract value**, or 0.76% counting fixes after handover ([ASCE, 2026](https://www.asce.org/publications-and-news/civil-engineering-source/article/2026/01/22/how-much-does-field-rework-in-construction-actually-cost)). Older studies, built on estimates, reported figures as high as 12.4% by lumping change orders and quality problems together.

That's one contractor, so it doesn't settle the question.

No amount of planning prevents some change orders. OAF counts water damage, mould, structural problems and outdated wiring found during demolition as legitimate change orders. No drawing or walkthrough shows you what's behind an old wall.

So the honest case for deciding early is a narrow one. It covers the changes you choose: the wall, the door, the stair, the island. Those cost more at every stage.

## Where does a full-size walkthrough fit?

Right before permits, when the drawings are final and construction hasn't started. That's still the cheap end of the curve.

At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your floor plan lights up at full size from inside the floor, with room names and dimension lines. You walk it room by room ([how it works](/how-it-works)). Movable walls and furniture, including sofas, a dining table and a bathtub on wheels, let you test what fits.

Changes show on the floor right away, and you keep the session recording.

Daniel, a Calgary custom builder (@daniel_built), walks every client through their plans at the studio before submitting for permits. In his experience, every client changes something: a wider island, a window moved, a bigger pantry.

The standard session is two hours, quoted for your plan by its size; send it through the [pricing page](/pricing) for a free quote. There's nothing to pay at booking. Builders can see how it fits their process on the [builders page](/builders). [Book a session](/book) or a free 30-minute call, and send your plans at least three days ahead.

## Questions

### What is a change order in construction?

It's a written change to a contract's scope, price or schedule, agreed after signing. OAF's advice is never to approve one verbally. Get the description, the reason, a cost breakdown and the effect on the schedule in writing first.

### How much does a change order cost?

Anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. In Calgary, OAF prices adding an outlet at $200 to $400 and moving a wall or door at $1,500 to $3,000, markup included ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)). Moving a basement stairwell runs $18,000 to $40,000 ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)).

### Who pays when a wall is framed in the wrong place?

If the contractor measured wrong, OAF says the contractor should absorb the cost. If you asked for the change, you pay. When an inspector flags a code issue, OAF suggests splitting the cost.

### Is it cheaper to move a wall that isn't load-bearing?

Usually. A load-bearing wall needs a structural engineer and a properly sized beam. Calgary contractors price removing one at $3,000 to $8,000 for a single basement beam and up to $20,000 to open a kitchen ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/); [Kay2 Contracting, 2026](https://kay2.ca/blogs/what-is-the-typical-cost-of-renovating-a-house-in-calgary/)). OAF's range for moving a typical wall or door is $1,500 to $3,000.

### How much contingency should you carry for changes?

For Calgary basements, OAF treats 8% to 12% as standard, and 5% to 8% as reasonable on well-planned, top-quality work ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/change-orders-explained/)). Below 5%, it says, the budget isn't allowing for the unknowns.

---

## Home addition cost in Calgary in 2026: prices and permits

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary
Updated: 2026-09-25

A home addition in Calgary costs $350 to $650 per square foot of new finished space in 2026, according to an April guide from Precision Construction & Decora (PCND) ([Precision Construction & Decora, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary-2026)). Totals run from about $15,000 for a small bump-out in PCND's guide to $400,000 to $600,000 or more for a second storey in Pinnacle Group's ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/what-is-the-cost-of-a-home-addition-in-calgary-alberta/)). The City's permit data looks far cheaper, a $54,183 median across 459 addition permits in 2025, partly because the City counts sunrooms, covered decks and attached garages as additions ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed); [The City of Calgary, additions](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/additions.html)).

## Key takeaways

- Most Calgary home additions cost $350 to $650 per sq ft of new finished space in 2026, according to Precision Construction & Decora (PCND) ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary-2026)).
- A second-storey addition runs $250,000 to $550,000 or more for 600 to 1,000 sq ft in PCND's guide ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary-2026)) and $400,000 to $600,000 or more in Pinnacle Group's ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/what-is-the-cost-of-a-home-addition-in-calgary-alberta/)).
- As of September 2026, a Calgary addition permit costs $333.84 under 400 sq ft and $1,302.08 over, plus a development permit only when the design breaks a bylaw rule ([The City of Calgary, additions](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/additions.html)).
- The City issued 459 addition permits in 2025 at a median declared value of $54,183; sunroom, patio-cover, screen and awning companies pulled 74 of them ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).
- Half of Calgary's 2025 addition permits took 29 days or more from application to issue, against the City's estimate of about 7 days ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

## What does a home addition cost in Calgary in 2026?

The type of addition matters more than its size. Here's what PCND, Pinnacle, [Reborn Renovations](https://www.rebornrenovations.com/how-much-does-a-home-addition-cost-in-calgary/) and [Kay2 Contracting](https://kay2.ca/blogs/home-addition-cost-calgary/) publish, with the date each guide was last updated:

| Type | PCND, April 2026 | Pinnacle Group, July 2026 | Reborn Renovations, June 2026 | Kay2 Contracting, April 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bump-out | $15,000 to $45,000 (20 to 80 sq ft) | $20,000 to $40,000 (2 to 3 ft, dry, under the roof overhang) | $150,000 to $200,000 (to enlarge a living room) | Not priced |
| Main-floor room | $80,000 to $250,000 | From the mid-$100,000s; $200,000 to $350,000+ when larger | $150,000 to $300,000 | $100,000 to $200,000+ |
| Main floor with a basement below | Not priced | The basement adds $50,000 to $80,000 | From about $250,000 | $150,000 to $300,000 |
| Second storey | $250,000 to $550,000+ (600 to 1,000 sq ft) | $400,000 to $600,000+ | $200,000 to over $500,000 | $250,000 to $350,000+ |
| Room over a garage | $150,000 to $350,000 | Not priced | $75,000 to over $200,000 | Not priced |
| Four-season sunroom | Not priced | Mid-$200,000s to mid-$300,000s | About $45,000+ | Not priced |

Note: Planning ranges from each contractor's guide, not quotes; Kay2's dates from April 2025.

PCND's per-foot range is the easiest to apply. A 400 sq ft main-floor room at $350 to $650 per sq ft comes to $140,000 to $260,000, which overlaps every main-floor range above.

## Why do published addition prices disagree so much?

Because the guides price different projects under the same name, and per-foot numbers break down on small jobs.

Take the bump-out: PCND and Pinnacle mean a wall pushed out a few feet, often with no new foundation, for $15,000 to $45,000. Reborn uses the word for a living-room extension at $150,000 to $200,000. Sunrooms split the same way: Reborn puts a four-season room at about $45,000, while Pinnacle's four-season sunroom is a full structural addition, and it says these "are not simple patio enclosures."

PCND notes that permits, design, the roof tie-in and matching siding don't shrink with the size, which is why a bump-out costs the most per foot. Reborn's guide gives $100 to $300 per sq ft for Alberta, yet its own 400 sq ft example at $150,000 to $300,000 works out to $375 to $750 per sq ft.

Automated cost sites with a page for every city add wide ranges that don't match each other. Compare itemized quotes for the same scope instead, as PCND advises.

## What does the City's permit data show for additions?

It shows how many additions Calgary approved in 2025 and what owners declared:

House additions, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Addition to a house | 459 | $54,183 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Note: The declared value is the applicant's own figure, not a quote, and an addition's flat fee doesn't depend on it.

The median hides a wide spread. Here's how the 459 permits break down, from a query of the City's open data on 25 September 2026:

| Declared value | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50,000 | 215 | 47% |
| $50,000 to $99,999 | 124 | 27% |
| $100,000 to $249,999 | 60 | 13% |
| $250,000 to $499,999 | 38 | 8% |
| $500,000 or more | 21 | 5% |
| Not stated | 1 | Under 1% |

Note: Permits issued in 2025, excluding cancelled ones.

## Why is the City's median so far below contractors' prices?

The City's class is broad. An addition is any construction that adds area to your home, including a covered deck or porch, an attached garage or a sunroom ([The City of Calgary, additions](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/additions.html)). In 2025, sunroom, patio-cover, screen and awning companies pulled 74 of the 459 permits, led by Suncoast Enclosures with 38, and their median declared value was $36,386.

The value is also just the applicant's figure, and 201 of the permits named no contractor.

Full additions are in there, just outnumbered. 119 permits declared $100,000 or more and 59 declared $250,000 or more, the range where the contractors' larger main-floor and second-storey prices sit. Read the $54,183 median as a count of permits, not a budget.

## What drives the cost of an addition?

Storeys, the foundation and every place the new work joins the old house. Calgary contractors price these separately in their 2026 guides ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary-2026); [Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/what-is-the-cost-of-a-home-addition-in-calgary-alberta/)), PCND's figures unless marked:

| Cost driver | Published figure |
|---|---|
| New foundation, footings below the frost line | $15,000 to $40,000+ |
| Full basement instead of a crawl space | Adds $50,000 to $80,000 (Pinnacle) |
| Separate heating, ventilation and air conditioning | Adds $15,000 to $30,000 (Pinnacle) |
| Stamped engineering drawings | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Electrical panel upgrade | $2,500 to $5,000 |
| Roof tie-in | Several thousand dollars |
| Contingency | 10 to 15% of the budget |

Note: Contractors' planning figures, not quotes.

**Going up costs the most.** A second storey loads the existing foundation and walls, so an engineer often has to check and reinforce them, and the roof comes off during the build ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary-2026)). Pinnacle describes a ripple effect: a new stair can change the main floor, and a changed main floor can move the kitchen ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/what-is-the-cost-of-a-home-addition-in-calgary-alberta/)).

**Going out needs a foundation.** Footings have to reach below Calgary's frost line, roughly 1.2 m (4 ft) down, PCND says, which is why a small bump-out cantilevered off the house costs far less than a room on its own foundation.

**Tying in is where older houses bite.** PCND calls a poorly tied-in roof the top source of leaks on amateur additions. Discontinued siding or brick can mean re-cladding a whole wall, and the old furnace may not heat the new rooms.

## Which permits does an addition need in Calgary?

A building permit always, and a development permit only when the design breaks a Land Use Bylaw rule, as of September 2026 ([The City of Calgary, additions](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/additions.html)). The building permit is $333.84 under 400 sq ft and $1,302.08 over, and electrical and plumbing permits are separate. Attached garages count too (see the [garage size guide](/room-sizes/garage-size-calgary)).

The City lets these skip the development permit, if the rest of the design follows the bylaw and the house isn't in a flood area or on its historic inventory:

- an upper-floor addition under 10 m² (107 sq ft) that stays below the existing roof;
- a main-floor addition at the front under 40 m² (431 sq ft), reaching no more than 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) forward;
- a main-floor addition at the rear under 40 m², reaching no more than 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) back.

Designing inside those limits saves the development permit's fee, $395 to $1,247 in the developed area ([The City of Calgary, planning fee schedule 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/planning-applications-fee-schedule.pdf)), and its 10 to 12 weeks. The building permit itself took a median of 29 days in 2025, against the City's estimate of about 7 ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

PCND budgets $1,500 to $5,000 or more for all permits on an addition; the [Calgary building permits guide](/blog/calgary-building-permits) lists every City fee.

## Which layout decisions should you settle before framing?

The ones that move structure, plumbing or the stair. PCND advises settling design and structural questions before framing, because "mid-build changes are where addition budgets blow up" ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary-2026)).

Settle these on the drawings:

- **Where the stair lands.** On a second storey it takes space from the main floor, which is where Pinnacle's ripple effect starts.
- **Wet or dry.** Plumbing can push even a small addition into the $200,000s, Pinnacle says.
- **The foundation.** A crawl space or a full basement is a $50,000 to $80,000 decision.
- **How much old wall comes out.** Rebuilt exterior walls belong to the addition's permit, and rebuilding all of them makes the project a new house in the City's eyes.

Each of these costs more once it's built, as the guide to [moving a wall after framing](/blog/cost-to-move-a-wall-after-framing-calgary) shows.

The communities with the most addition permits since 2023, from the City's permit data:

Calgary communities with the most additions, permits issued 2023 to 29 September 2026:

| Rank | Community | Sector | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Bonavista | South | 52 | $119,348 |
| 2 | Varsity | Northwest | 46 | $97,612 |
| 3 | Lakeview | West | 38 | $162,694 |
| 4 | Cranston | Southeast | 27 | $41,970 |
| 5 | Brentwood | Northwest | 25 | $219,454 |
| 6 | Charleswood | Northwest | 25 | $179,095 |
| 7 | Springbank Hill | West | 22 | $64,509 |
| 8 | Elbow Park | Centre | 21 | $109,159 |
| 9 | Evergreen | South | 20 | $33,647 |
| 10 | Haysboro | South | 20 | $88,084 |

Among the 97 communities with a page on this site. Declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It is not a quote and runs below real costs. Medians are shown only where a category has at least 5 permits. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.

## Where does a full-size walkthrough fit?

Once the drawings show the addition and the rooms it joins, before permits and framing. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, the plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, with room names and dimension lines. Freestanding walls and studio furniture show what the new rooms can hold, and changes go up on the floor on the spot.

Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). Send the drawings as a PDF or AutoCAD (DWG) file at least three days ahead, then [book a session](/book), or read how [renovation sessions](/renovations) work.

## Questions

### How much does a second-storey addition cost in Calgary?

A second-storey addition in Calgary costs $250,000 to $550,000 or more for 600 to 1,000 sq ft in PCND's April 2026 guide ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary-2026)), and $400,000 to $600,000 or more in Pinnacle Group's July 2026 guide ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/what-is-the-cost-of-a-home-addition-in-calgary-alberta/)).

### How much does a bump-out addition cost in Calgary?

A small bump-out in Calgary costs about $15,000 to $45,000 for 20 to 80 sq ft in 2026 ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary-2026)), and Pinnacle Group puts a dry bump-out of two to three feet at $20,000 to $40,000 ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/what-is-the-cost-of-a-home-addition-in-calgary-alberta/)).

### How much does a sunroom cost in Calgary?

A sunroom in Calgary costs about $30,000 for a three-season room and $45,000 or more for a four-season one in Reborn Renovations' 2026 guide ([Reborn Renovations, 2026](https://www.rebornrenovations.com/how-much-does-a-home-addition-cost-in-calgary/)). Pinnacle Group prices a structural four-season sunroom addition in the mid-$200,000s to mid-$300,000s ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/what-is-the-cost-of-a-home-addition-in-calgary-alberta/)).

The City of Calgary counts a sunroom as an addition, so either needs a building permit.

### What does an addition cost per square foot in Alberta?

In Calgary, PCND's 2026 figure for an addition is $350 to $650 per square foot of new finished space ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/home-addition-cost-calgary-2026)), while Reborn Renovations gives $100 to $300 per square foot for Alberta ([Reborn Renovations, 2026](https://www.rebornrenovations.com/how-much-does-a-home-addition-cost-in-calgary/)). Ask for a total price for your scope.

### Do I need a development permit for an addition in Calgary?

A Calgary addition needs a development permit only when it breaks a Land Use Bylaw rule, as of September 2026 ([The City of Calgary, additions](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/additions.html)). A rear main-floor addition under 40 m² (431 sq ft) reaching no more than 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) back can skip it, if the rest of the design follows the bylaw.

---

## Legal basement suites in Calgary: permits, costs and layout mistakes

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/legal-basement-suite-calgary
Updated: 2026-10-05

A legal basement suite in Calgary needs a building permit and has to pass the City's inspections. As of September 2026, OAF Construction, a Calgary builder, prices one at $58,000 to $100,000 or more ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/basement-suite-cost-guide-2026/)), and basement development of any kind at $45,000 to $130,000 ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)). The costliest mistakes sit in the layout: where the stair lands, which rooms get windows and how the tenant gets in.


## Key takeaways

- A legal basement suite in Calgary costs about $58,000 to $100,000 or more in 2026 ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/basement-suite-cost-guide-2026/)), and it needs a building permit and the City's inspections.
- As of October 2026, a secondary suite is a permitted use in the R-C1, R-C2, R-1, R-2, R-CG and R-G districts, so one that meets every zoning rule skips the development permit ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)).
- A secondary suite that isn't wholly in a basement is capped at 100.0 m² (1,076 sq ft), not counting stairs and landings; one wholly in the basement has no cap ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, s.351](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)).
- Every bedroom needs an egress window with a clear opening of at least 0.35 m² and no side under 380 mm ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)). Cutting a new one later costs $2,000 to $5,000 ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)).
- Moving a stairwell costs $18,000 to $40,000 and adding side access $22,000 to $45,000 ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)), so settle the stair and the entrance on the plan.
- The $10,000 Secondary Suite Incentive Program closed to new applications on 28 September 2026 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html)).

## What changed for Calgary basement suites in 2026?

As of October 2026, three things have changed, on top of the one-suite rule below.

**Secondary suites are now a permitted use.** Bylaw 26P2026, passed in July 2026, makes them a permitted use across the low-density districts ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html)). A suite that follows every zoning rule now skips the development permit and goes straight to a building permit. City staff expected that to save up to six weeks ([Global News, 2026](https://globalnews.ca/news/11996705/calgary-maintains-rules-backyard-suites/)).

**The incentive is closed.** The Secondary Suite Incentive Program paid up to $10,000. Applications made after 23 June 2026 went on a waitlist, and the program stopped taking applications on 28 September 2026 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html)).

**Some fees are waived until 31 December 2026.** The amnesty covers development permit and registration fees ([The City of Calgary newsroom, 2023](https://newsroom.calgary.ca/council-unanimously-votes-to-extend-secondary-suites-amnesty-program-until-december-2026/)), not the building permit ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/suites-permit-costs-timelines.html)).

## Which Calgary districts allow a basement suite?

Most low-density districts do. Here's what the Land Use Bylaw lists for each, as consolidated to 15 September 2026 ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)):

| District | Secondary suite | Backyard suite |
|---|---|---|
| R-C1L, R-C1, R-C1N, R-1, R-1N and their "s" versions | Permitted | Discretionary |
| R-C2, R-2, R-2M | Permitted | Discretionary |
| R-CG | Permitted | Discretionary |
| R-G, R-Gm | Permitted | Permitted |
| R-CGex | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| R-MH | Not listed | Not listed |

Note: since 4 August 2026, a property can have one suite, not both ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/projects/rezoning.html)). Direct control districts set their own rules, so check your address with the City's land use tool.

A secondary suite not wholly in a basement can be at most 100.0 m² (1,076 sq ft), not counting stairs and landings, and the City can relax that by up to 10%. A suite wholly in the basement has no maximum. Outside R-CG, the suite also needs a private outdoor amenity space of at least 7.5 m² (81 sq ft) with no side under 1.5 m ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, s.295 and s.351](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)). And the bylaw requires one parking stall per suite, which some districts reduce near transit ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)).

### Which City pages are out of date?

As of 5 October 2026, these still contradict the bylaw:

- [Secondary suites development permit requirements](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-permits.html) says suites in R-C1, R-C1L, R-C1N, R-1 and R-1N need a development permit.
- The [Adding a secondary suite](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html) and [Building a backyard suite](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-backyard-suite.html) pages say a property can have both suites.
- The [secondary suite guidebook](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/secondary-suite-program-guidebook.pdf) (updated June 2026) and the listed use matrix still show the 2024 district list.

Go by the bylaw, and call the Planning Services Centre at 403-268-5311.

## Do you need a permit to develop a basement in Calgary?

Usually, yes. You need a building permit to develop a basement for the first time, move or remove walls, or cut new window or door openings. For a new basement it costs $333.84 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)). Paint and finishes usually don't need one, but wiring and plumbing need their own permits.

A kitchen turns a basement into a suite: with a kitchen and a bathroom downstairs, the City says you must apply for a secondary suite. A wet bar is fine if it has no oven, stove, cooktop or microwave.

You'll need a development permit only if suites are discretionary in your district or your design breaks a zoning rule ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)). The City lists 10 to 12 weeks for one ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/suites-permit-costs-timelines.html)).

## What does a legal basement suite need in Calgary?

Every suite needs its own bathroom and kitchen, and bedrooms with egress windows (windows big enough to climb out of in a fire). The entrance must be reachable from outside without passing through the main home, though a shared stairwell is fine if each unit has a private entrance ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html)).

The code details, from the City's new-suite page ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)):

- Each bedroom window must open fully without tools, with a clear opening of at least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft) and no side under 380 mm (15 in).
- Ceilings must be at least 1.95 m (just under 6 ft 5 in), or 1.85 m (just under 6 ft 1 in) under ducts and beams.
- Half-inch drywall, with taped joints, must seal the suite off from the main home and enclose the mechanical room.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be hardwired and interconnected.
- The path to the exit can't pass through the mechanical room.

New suites also need their own heating and ventilation, with separate ductwork ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html)).

## What does basement development cost in Calgary in 2026?

Builder figures are planning ranges. The last two rows are City fees.

| Item | 2026 range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Basement development, any scope | $45,000 to $130,000 | [OAF Construction](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/) |
| Legal suite: 1 bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, separate entrance | $58,000 to $70,000 | [OAF Construction](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/basement-suite-cost-guide-2026/) |
| Legal suite: 2 bedrooms, laundry | $70,000 to $85,000 | [OAF Construction](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/basement-suite-cost-guide-2026/) |
| Legal suite: 2 bedrooms, upgraded finishes | $85,000 to $100,000+ | [OAF Construction](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/basement-suite-cost-guide-2026/) |
| Fully separated suite with its own heating and access | $180,000 to $250,000 | [Pinnacle Group](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/) |
| New egress window, per opening | $2,000 to $5,000 | [OAF Construction](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/) |
| Underpinning (lowering the floor) | $15,000 to $35,000 | [OAF Construction](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/) |
| Moving a stairwell | $18,000 to $40,000 | [Pinnacle Group](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/) |
| Adding side access | $22,000 to $45,000 | [Pinnacle Group](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/) |
| Building permit, new suite | $403.52 | [The City of Calgary](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/suites-permit-costs-timelines.html) |
| Development permit and registry | $0 until 31 December 2026 | [The City of Calgary newsroom](https://newsroom.calgary.ca/council-unanimously-votes-to-extend-secondary-suites-amnesty-program-until-december-2026/) |

OAF's own basement guide puts a legal suite with full permits higher, at $75,000 to $130,000, and advises comparing written line items ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)). Pinnacle's higher range can include full separation from the main floor, separate heating and a separate entrance ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)).

## Which layout mistakes cost the most after framing?

Three decisions are cheap to change on a drawing and expensive once the studs are up: bedroom windows, the stair and the entrance.

### A bedroom without an egress window

Every bedroom needs one, and cutting a new opening later costs $2,000 to $5,000 per window ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)). Foundation walls limit windows, too. A new opening wider than 1.2 m (4 ft), or openings totalling more than 25% of the wall's length, need an engineer's review ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)).

Windows generally aren't allowed in a wall closer than 1.2 m to a property line ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)). On a narrow lot, find the walls that can take a bedroom window before you place the bedrooms.

### A stair in the wrong place

Moving a stairwell costs $18,000 to $40,000 and can mean engineering and changes to the main floor ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)). The stair decides how both households get in and out. An exit stair must be at least 860 mm (about 34 in) wide, with a landing at the top and bottom ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)).

### An entrance added as an afterthought

Adding side access runs $22,000 to $45,000 ([Pinnacle Group, 2026](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/)). The new outside stair needs an engineer's foundation design, because digging the stairwell removes soil that protects the footings from frost ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)).

If that stair is the suite's only exit, nearby main-house windows and doors need protection, such as wired glass or glass block. That applies within 3 m to the side or 5 m above the exit path ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)).

## Layout checklist before you frame

| Check on the plan | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Every bedroom has an egress window that passes code | [$2,000 to $5,000](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/) per new opening |
| Bedroom windows sit on walls that can take them | No windows near a property line; wide openings need an engineer |
| The stair gives each unit a private entrance | Moving it costs [$18,000 to $40,000](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/) |
| The exit route avoids the mechanical room | Required by the City |
| The entrance is settled: shared stair or side access | Side access costs [$22,000 to $45,000](https://www.pinnaclerenovations.ca/how-much-does-a-basement-renovation-cost-in-calgary-alberta/) |
| Ceilings reach the minimum where people live | Underpinning costs [$15,000 to $35,000](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/) |
| The mechanical room has space for the suite's own heating | New suites need separate heating and ductwork |
| The living area and bedrooms get the windows | Too few windows make a suite feel cramped |
| A bed, a sofa and a table fit with room to walk around them | A suite outside the basement is capped at 100.0 m² |

Where suites were added to existing homes most often since 2023:

Calgary communities with the most secondary suites, alteration of existing space, permits issued 2023 to 29 September 2026:

| Rank | Community | Sector | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornerstone | Northeast | 935 | $63,489 |
| 2 | Saddle Ridge | Northeast | 412 | $63,314 |
| 3 | Livingston | North | 391 | $63,751 |
| 4 | Carrington | North | 270 | $64,624 |
| 5 | Glacier Ridge | North | 260 | $59,996 |
| 6 | Pine Creek | South | 222 | $61,131 |
| 7 | Homestead | Northeast | 210 | $67,026 |
| 8 | Redstone | Northeast | 200 | $69,864 |
| 9 | Moraine | North | 194 | $65,498 |
| 10 | Cityscape | Northeast | 192 | $66,676 |

Among the 97 communities with a page on this site. Declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It is not a quote and runs below real costs. Medians are shown only where a category has at least 5 permits. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.

## Where a full-size walkthrough fits

Most of these mistakes are about size and position, which are hard to judge on a drawing. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan fills a walkable LED floor at full size, room by room, with room names and dimension lines. You can place freestanding walls, sofas, a dining table and chairs, make changes on the spot and keep a recording of the session. Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size ([get a free quote](/pricing)), with nothing to pay at booking. Send a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead.

See [renovations and suites](/renovations) and [how a session works](/how-it-works), or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### Do I need a development permit for a basement suite in Calgary?

Usually not, as of October 2026. In the low-density districts that list a secondary suite as permitted, only a design that breaks a zoning rule needs one. Every suite still needs building and trade permits.

### Is the $10,000 secondary suite incentive still available?

No. The City's Secondary Suite Incentive Program closed to new applications on 28 September 2026 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suites.html)). The amnesty on development permit and registration fees runs to 31 December 2026.

### Does a basement suite need its own side entrance?

Not always. The City accepts a shared stairwell, as long as each unit has a private entrance that doesn't pass through the other home.

### How much does basement development cost per square foot in Calgary?

OAF Construction's 2026 planning range is $45 to $110 per square foot. That's about $45 to $70 for a finished basement without a suite, and $70 to $110 for a legal suite ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)).

---

## Floor plan VR vs 3D renderings vs tape vs a life-size walkthrough

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/blog/life-size-floor-plan-vs-vr-vs-3d-rendering
Updated: 2026-09-25

Renderings are best for finishes and light, painter's tape for testing one room, and virtual reality (VR) for the feel of being inside. A full-size floor shows true sizes and clearances across a whole plan, so everyone deciding can stand in it together. VR's weak spot is distance: a 2013 review found people judge distances in virtual environments at about 74% of true length ([Renner et al., 2013](https://doi.org/10.1145/2543581.2543590)).


## Key takeaways

- Renderings are best for finishes, colour and light. In Calgary, exterior renderings start at $379 per house ([TNT Renders](https://www.tntrenders.com/single-family-renders)).
- VR shows height and the feel of a space, but people judge distances in virtual environments at about 74% of true length on average ([Renner et al., 2013](https://doi.org/10.1145/2543581.2543590)).
- Painter's tape shows one room at true size for almost nothing, but a whole level needs a large clear floor, and tape has no walls.
- A full-size floor shows sizes, clearances and flow across a whole plan, and everyone deciding can stand in it together.
- It won't show finishes, colour, daylight or your actual lot, so many people use renderings as well.

## How do VR, 3D renderings, tape and a full-size floor compare?

| Method | Price (September 2026) | Shows well | Misses | Who can take part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3D renderings | Exterior from $379 per house ([TNT Renders](https://www.tntrenders.com/single-family-renders)) | Finishes, colour, light, the street view | True size and clearances | Anyone you send them to |
| VR tour | From $1,200 per project ([TNT Renders](https://www.tntrenders.com/vr-tours)) | Volume, ceiling height, stairs, finishes | True distances (people judge them short), touch | One person per headset, others on a screen |
| Augmented reality (AR) on your lot | From $950 per project ([TNT Renders](https://www.tntrenders.com/ar-visualization)) | The building at full scale on the real site | Touch and furniture, and you see it through a screen | Whoever holds the phone or tablet |
| Painter's tape | The tape, plus floor space. Calgary rentals list at $60 to $285 an hour ([Peerspace](https://www.peerspace.com/ca/spaces/ca/calgary%2D%2Dab/warehouse)) | One room at true size, or the real room in a renovation | Walls, height, furniture. Slow to lay out and redo | Anyone who can get to the floor |
| Printed 1:1 plan | US$0.45 per printed sq ft, US$100 minimum, plus shipping ([Big Floor Plans](https://www.bigfloorplans.com/faq)) | The whole plan at true size, on a slab or site | Walls, height, furniture | Anyone at the site |
| Full-size LED floor | Quoted per plan, by size; the quote is free ([pricing](/pricing)) | Size, clearances and flow, with walls and furniture you can move | Finishes, daylight, your actual lot | Everyone who comes, plus anyone who watches the recording |

Prices are as each business publishes them.

## What are 3D renderings good for?

Renderings show how the house will look: finishes, colour, daylight and the view from the street. They're also the easiest to share, since anyone can open an image.

TNT Renders, a Calgary studio, lists [exterior renderings from $379 per house](https://www.tntrenders.com/single-family-renders) and [interiors from $750 a project](https://www.tntrenders.com/residential-interior). A [3D walkthrough animation of your house plans starts at $999](https://www.tntrenders.com/walkthrough-animation). Pacific Render's [Canadian price guide](https://pacificrender.com/how-much-do-architectural-renderings-cost-in-canada/) puts professional exterior images at $900 to $2,500 each and animations at $3,500 to $15,000 or more.

Renderings are weaker on size. Someone else picked the camera angle, and you can't step sideways to check whether two people fit between the island and the counter. An animation has the same limit, because it follows a path someone else chose.

**Enough when:** the layout is settled and you're choosing materials, colours or the exterior look.

## Does VR show your floor plan at true size?

The model can be exact to the millimetre, but your sense of distance inside it tends to run short. The 2013 review covered 20 years of studies and put the average at about 74% of true length ([Renner et al., 2013](https://doi.org/10.1145/2543581.2543590)). It predates today's headsets, so treat the exact figure with care.

The same concern shows up in a 2022 study, where construction professionals reviewed a physical mockup and a VR mockup of the same hotel room layout. It found "VR cannot yet fully replace physical mockups" ([Astaneh Asl & Dossick, 2022](https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/EPOJ/article/view/20141)). Among the reasons: how people perceive dimensions in VR, and no sense of touch.

VR still has real strengths. The same professionals called it a cost-efficient way to compare design options and layouts early on. A VR walkthrough of your house plans also shows ceiling heights and stairs, which no flat plan can.

A 2006 experiment suggests walking itself matters. People who physically walked while searching a virtual room did it with near-perfect efficiency, even when the room had only plain, low detail. People who could only look, or only turn on the spot, were significantly less efficient and often searched the same spots twice ([Ruddle & Lessels, 2006](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01728.x)). That favours any method where you walk, free-roam VR included, over steering through a model without moving your body.

In Calgary, TNT Renders lists [VR tours from $1,200 per project](https://www.tntrenders.com/vr-tours), viewable in a headset or on a desktop or phone. Its AR service places a full-scale model of the building on your actual site, seen through a phone or tablet. Both start from a 3D model of the design.

**Enough when:** you want the feel of height and light, you're comparing early options, or you're sharing the design with people who can't be there.

## Is painter's tape on the floor enough?

For one room, often yes. Painter's or masking tape costs next to nothing, and in a renovation you can tape inside the real room, with the real walls and windows around you. A studio can't give you that.

The writer of Addicted 2 Decorating taped out a planned closet in 2023, then wheeled a patient lift and two wheelchairs into it to check they'd fit and turn. Everything fit ([Addicted 2 Decorating, 2023](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/testing-out-floor-plan-room-sizes-in-real-life.html)).

The writer of Of Houses and Trees taped out the upstairs of her house plan in a heated shop while it snowed outside. The hallway proved too narrow, and a bedroom wasn't as deep as the plan made it look. After standing in it, she and her husband cut the upstairs from two bathrooms to one, which freed space for a small walk-in closet ([Of Houses and Trees, 2017](https://ofhousesandtrees.com/laying-out-a-floor-plan/)).

Tape gets harder as the plan gets bigger. A whole level needs a clear floor at least as big as the plan, and one wrong starting line shifts everything after it. Without an empty slab or shop, you'll be renting space: Peerspace's Calgary warehouse listings run from $60 to $285 an hour, with minimums of one to four hours ([Peerspace, 2026](https://www.peerspace.com/ca/spaces/ca/calgary%2D%2Dab/warehouse)). Tape also has no walls, so it's harder to judge how enclosed a room will feel.

A printed full-size plan saves the measuring. Big Floor Plans prints plans at 1:1 for US$0.45 per printed square foot, with a US$100 minimum plus shipping, and considers Canadian projects case by case ([Big Floor Plans](https://www.bigfloorplans.com/faq)). It's still flat, with no walls or furniture.

Another free option is walking showhomes. Broadview Homes, a Calgary builder, suggests visiting several to see how each layout will feel to live in, and charting your measured furniture on graph paper before you pick a plan ([Broadview Homes, 2017](https://www.broadviewhomescalgary.com/floor-plan-mistakes-avoid-building-new-home-nsbp/)). A showhome helps only as far as its rooms match yours.

**Enough when:** you're testing one room, like a kitchen aisle, a mudroom or a closet, or you're renovating and can tape inside the real space.

## What does walking the plan at full size show?

It shows size, clearances and flow across a whole plan. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan appears room by room on a walkable LED floor, lit from inside, with room names and dimension lines. Freestanding walls and furniture move into place: sofas, a dining table, chairs, a coffee table and a bathtub on wheels. Elevations go up on a wall-size screen behind the floor.

The studio makes changes on the spot and shows them on the floor right away. It records every session, and you keep the recording to share with anyone who couldn't come.

A full-size floor has limits of its own. It won't show finishes, colour or daylight, and you see heights in the elevations on the screen, not over your head. You're in a studio in northeast Calgary, not on your lot, and you walk very large plans a floor or a wing at a time.

Other walkthrough studios also show your plan at true size, and some project it from above instead of lighting it from inside the floor. As of September 2026, this is the only walk-on LED floor-plan studio in Calgary, and the nearest other walkthrough studio is a projection studio in Edmonton.

**Enough when:** your open questions are about size, clearance and flow, several people need to agree, or you're about to sign off.

## Where a full-size walkthrough fits

It fits once you have a drawn layout and before you sign off or apply for permits, while a change is still a line on a drawing. Daniel, a Calgary custom builder (@daniel_built), walks every client through their plans at the studio before submitting for permits. In his experience, every client changes something: a wider island, a bigger pantry, a window moved.

A standard session is two hours, and the studio needs your plans as a PDF or DWG (AutoCAD) file at least three days ahead. [How it works](/how-it-works) walks through the session, [pricing](/pricing) explains how sessions are quoted, and you can [book a session](/book) with nothing to pay at booking. Not sure it's worth it for your plan? Start with the [free 30-minute phone call](/book).

## Questions

### What does a floor plan walkthrough cost at 1to1 Plans Calgary?

Each two-hour session is quoted for the plan. The price depends on the plan's size and the kind of project: a house, a suite, a commercial space or multi-family unit plans. Send the plan through the [pricing page](/pricing) for a free quote. There's nothing to pay at booking.

### Is VR accurate enough to judge room sizes?

The model can be exact, but people tend to judge distances in VR as shorter than they are: about 74% of true length on average, in a [2013 review](https://doi.org/10.1145/2543581.2543590). Use VR for height and looks, and check tight spots like island aisles and hallways at full size. The [FAQ](/faq) has more on how the two compare.

### Can I tape out my floor plan myself?

Yes, and for one or two rooms it's often all you need. Measure from a fixed corner, mark door swings and cabinet depths, and walk it with everyone who'll use the room. A whole level needs a large clear floor and careful measuring.

### Do I still need 3D renderings if I walk my plan at full size?

If finishes, colour and the exterior matter to you, yes. The floor settles sizes and flow, and renderings show materials and light. If both matter, you'll want both.

---

## Barrier-free bathroom in Alberta: sizes and when they apply

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta
Updated: 2026-09-25

In Alberta, a barrier-free (universal) washroom must let a wheelchair turn in an open space at least 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) across, and an accessible shower must be at least 1 500 mm wide and 900 mm deep (4 ft 11 in by 2 ft 11 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.13 and 3.8.3.17](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). These rules sit in Section 3.8 of the National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, whose second printing has been in force since 17 August 2026. Section 3.8 generally doesn't apply to detached houses, semi-detached houses or houses with a secondary suite ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

## Key takeaways

- As of September 2026, Section 3.8 doesn't apply to detached houses, semi-detached houses, houses with a secondary suite, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses or row houses ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Where it applies, a universal washroom needs a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning space and a transfer space beside the toilet at least 900 mm wide and 1 500 mm long ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.13](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- An accessible shower is at least 1 500 mm by 900 mm, with a clear space 900 mm deep in front and a threshold no higher than 13 mm (0.5 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.17](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- An accessible toilet seat sits 430 mm to 460 mm above the floor, and grab bars are 30 mm to 40 mm across and 35 mm to 45 mm off the wall ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.14 and 3.7.2.7](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- In Alberta only, residential projects of 10 or more units funded in whole or in part by the province must make 1 unit in 10 adaptable, with 1 700 mm turning spaces and 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) doorways ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.1.1 and 3.8.4.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Calgary's backyard suite incentive adds $7,500 for units designed for people with mobility challenges, with the design assessed individually ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/backyard-suites-incentive-program.html)).

## Does Alberta's barrier-free code apply to a house?

No, generally not. Section 3.8 applies to all buildings except a short list that starts with "detached houses, semi-detached houses, houses with a secondary suite". The list goes on to duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, row houses and boarding houses not used in social programs ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). So as of September 2026, the code doesn't require a barrier-free bathroom in a Calgary house.

The list doesn't name backyard suites, which are separate buildings. If you're planning one, ask the City of Calgary how it applies Section 3.8 before you finalize drawings.

## Who does Section 3.8 apply to?

Nearly every other building: apartment and condo buildings, offices, shops, restaurants, clinics, hotels and care homes. The other exceptions are high-hazard industrial buildings, buildings not occupied daily or full time, such as pumphouses, and relocatable industrial accommodations. Small buildings under Part 9 are covered too ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Inside an apartment, the washroom needn't be barrier-free, but the doorways on the way to at least one bathroom need an 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) clear opening ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.6](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

This is how Section 3.8 treats common building types, as of September 2026:

| Building | Does Section 3.8 apply? | What it means for bathrooms |
|---|---|---|
| Detached or semi-detached house, house with a secondary suite, duplex, triplex, townhouse, row house | No (3.8.2.1) | No barrier-free bathroom required |
| Apartment or condo building | Yes, to entrances and common areas | Suites needn't be barrier-free inside; doorways to one bathroom need 850 mm clear (3.8.3.6) |
| Province-funded project of 10 or more units | Yes, plus adaptable units | 1 unit in 10 adaptable, with a bathroom designed for grab bars (3.8.1.1, 3.8.4.3) |
| Offices, shops, restaurants, clinics, hotels | Yes | A universal washroom where washrooms serve a barrier-free storey (3.8.2.8) |

Note: this summarizes the code's application rules and isn't a ruling on your building; in Calgary, the City decides how the code applies.

## What dimensions does a universal washroom need?

A universal washroom is a single-user room with a toilet and sink, sized so a wheelchair user can turn and slide sideways onto the toilet. The code's note says outward-swinging doors are preferable, though inward ones are permitted ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-3.8.3.13](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

These are the main numbers, from 3.8.3.13 and the clauses it points to:

| Element | Code minimum or range | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Turning space | An open circle 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) across | 3.8.3.13 |
| Transfer space beside the toilet | 900 mm (2 ft 11 in) wide from the seat edge, 1 500 mm (4 ft 11 in) long from the back wall | 3.8.3.12 |
| Toilet position | Centreline 460 mm to 480 mm (1 ft 6 in to 1 ft 7 in) from the side wall | 3.8.3.12 |
| Toilet seat | 430 mm to 460 mm (1 ft 5 in to 1 ft 6 in) above the floor | 3.8.3.14 |
| Side grab bar | L-shaped, legs at least 760 mm (2 ft 6 in), horizontal part 750 mm to 850 mm high | 3.8.3.12 |
| Rear grab bar | At least 600 mm (2 ft) long, centred over the toilet, or two of at least 300 mm | 3.8.3.12 |
| Grab bars | 30 mm to 40 mm (1.2 in to 1.6 in) across, 35 mm to 45 mm off the wall, rated for 1.3 kN | 3.7.2.7 |
| Sink | Rim no higher than 865 mm (2 ft 10 in), with an 800 by 1 350 mm clear floor in front | 3.8.3.16 |
| Door | 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) clear, with a latch 900 mm to 1 100 mm high | 3.8.3.6, 3.8.3.13 |

Note: these are minimums for buildings Section 3.8 covers, not design advice, and the code doesn't require them in a house.

## What size is a barrier-free shower?

At least 1 500 mm wide and 900 mm deep, with a clear floor space in front that's 900 mm deep and as wide as the shower. The code also asks for these ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.17](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)):

- no door or curtain that blocks the controls or the clear space;
- a slip-resistant floor, and a threshold no more than 13 mm (0.5 in) high, bevelled if it's over 6 mm;
- two grab bars, one vertical at least 1 000 mm long and one L-shaped with a horizontal part at least 1 000 mm long, 750 mm to 870 mm high;
- a seat at least 450 by 400 mm, mounted 460 mm to 480 mm high;
- controls no higher than 1 200 mm (3 ft 11 in), and a hand-held shower on a hose at least 1 800 mm (5 ft 11 in) long.

Showers inside apartment suites are exempt ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.8](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

The drawing puts the 1 700 mm circle, the 900 by 1 500 mm transfer space and the 1 500 by 900 mm shower into one bathroom, 3 100 by 2 700 mm (10 ft 2 in by 8 ft 10 in), with the toilet's centreline 470 mm from the wall and an 850 mm door. It's one arrangement drawn to scale, not a minimum size or a code layout, and it leaves out the sink.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: The code's numbers in a bathroom with a shower. A room 3 100 mm (10 ft 2 in) by 2 700 mm (8 ft 10 in) with Shower 1 500 mm by 900 mm, Shower clear floor 1 500 mm by 900 mm, Transfer space 900 mm by 1 500 mm; clearances 470 mm.*

## What are adaptable dwelling units in Alberta?

They're an Alberta-only rule. Residential projects of 10 or more units funded in whole or in part by the Government of Alberta must provide adaptable units "as 1 per 10 dwelling units" ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.1.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)), counting every unit in the project.

An adaptable unit is built so it can become barrier-free later with little renovation. It needs a barrier-free entrance, a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning diameter in entryways, kitchens, washrooms and laundry rooms, doorways with 850 mm clear, window sills 400 mm to 865 mm high and outlets 400 mm to 1 200 mm high ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.4.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Its bathroom gets an accessible shower or bathtub, sink and toilet, and it must be "designed to allow for the installation of grab bars" rather than having them from day one ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.4.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). That's a useful model for any house: build the space now and plan the walls for bars later.

## Why build a house or suite for a parent to these sizes anyway?

Because space is cheaper to plan than to add, and the province and the City both point that way. Alberta's Accessibility Design Guide 2024 calls visitable housing, with basic access on the main floor, best practice for homes. It says designing it in from the start "will reduce the cost of renovations" ([Alberta Municipal Affairs, 2024](https://open.alberta.ca/publications/accessibility-design-guide)).

Calgary puts money behind it. The backyard suite incentive adds $7,500 for units designed for people with mobility challenges, with requirements that "will be assessed individually" ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/backyard-suites-incentive-program.html)). Only detached suites qualify, and funds may not reach everyone who applied after 14 April 2026. The secondary suite incentive publishes its own accessibility checklist for up to $7,500, though new applications have gone on a waitlist since 24 June 2026 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html)).

Here's how the three sets of numbers compare, as of September 2026:

| Item | Code, where Section 3.8 applies | City secondary suite incentive | Alberta guide, visitable house |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turning space | 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) in a universal washroom | 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in the living area, kitchen and bedroom | At least 1 500 mm in the bathroom |
| Beside the toilet | 900 by 1 500 mm transfer space | Room to pull a wheelchair alongside | 900 mm transfer space |
| Shower | 1 500 by 900 mm, threshold up to 13 mm | Curbless or transition-free | With or without a shower |
| Doorways | 850 mm clear | 850 mm fully open (3 ft doors) | At least 900 mm |
| Halls and paths | 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) barrier-free path | 920 mm throughout | 1 000 mm to 1 200 mm hallways |
| Grab bars | 30 mm to 40 mm across, at set heights | Beside the toilet, in the shower, wherever you transfer | Grab bars in the bathroom |

Note: only the code column is a legal requirement, and only for the buildings Section 3.8 covers; the other two are a funding condition and a recommendation.

Pick the numbers for the person who'll live there: the code's 1 700 mm is the most generous turning space here. See the [hallway width guide](/room-sizes/hallway-width-alberta) for paths and doors, the [bedroom size guide](/room-sizes/bedroom-size-alberta) for the bedroom, and the [backyard suite guide](/blog/backyard-suites-calgary-rules-costs) for suite rules and costs.

## Where a full-size walkthrough fits

A turning circle is easy to draw and hard to picture. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, with room names and dimension lines. Draw the 1 700 mm or 1 500 mm circle and the transfer space on your plan, and you'll see how much of the bathroom they take.

The studio's bathtub on wheels and freestanding walls can be moved into place, changes go up on the floor on the spot, and you keep the session recording. Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). See [renovations and suites](/renovations), the other [room size guides](/room-sizes), or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### Does a house in Alberta need a barrier-free bathroom?

No. A house in Alberta doesn't need a barrier-free bathroom, as of September 2026: Section 3.8 doesn't apply to detached houses, semi-detached houses, houses with a secondary suite, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses or row houses ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). You can still build to its dimensions by choice.

### How much space does a wheelchair need to turn in a bathroom?

In Alberta, a universal washroom must give a wheelchair an open turning space at least 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) across ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.13](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). For houses, the province's Accessibility Design Guide 2024 recommends at least 1 500 mm (4 ft 11 in) in the bathroom.

### What size is a barrier-free shower in Alberta?

A barrier-free shower in Alberta must be at least 1 500 mm wide and 900 mm deep (4 ft 11 in by 2 ft 11 in), with a clear floor space 900 mm deep across its width and a threshold no more than 13 mm (0.5 in) high ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.17](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). It also needs two grab bars, a seat and a hand-held shower.

### How high is an accessible toilet in Alberta?

An accessible toilet in Alberta has a seat 430 mm to 460 mm (1 ft 5 in to 1 ft 6 in) above the floor, with its centreline 460 mm to 480 mm from the side wall, where Section 3.8 applies ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.14](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

### Does Calgary pay extra for an accessible backyard suite?

Yes. As of September 2026, Calgary's Backyard Suite Incentive Program adds $7,500 for a unit designed for people with mobility challenges, and the City assesses the design features individually ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/backyard-suites-incentive-program.html)). Funds may not be available for everyone who applied after 14 April 2026.

---

## Commercial kitchen requirements in Alberta: a restaurant layout guide

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/commercial/restaurant-layout-calgary
Updated: 2026-09-25

In Alberta, a restaurant or cafe kitchen needs a scaled plan approved by Alberta Health Services (AHS) before you build, with sinks set by your menu and how you wash dishes, according to [AHS's Starting a Food Business guide](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-start-food-business.pdf) (January 2026). In Calgary the plan goes to the City at least six weeks before construction, and the building code counts 1.20 m² (12.9 sq ft) of dining space per person to size your washrooms. Here's each rule on a floor plan, as of September 2026.

## Key takeaways

- AHS must approve a scaled plan before you build or make a major alteration, and wants it at least six weeks before construction ([AHS, January 2026](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-start-food-business.pdf)).
- A kitchen handling high- and low-risk food needs at least a hand sink and a 2-compartment sink, with a 3-compartment sink instead if it uses reusable dishes and no dishwasher ([AHS, January 2026](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-start-food-business.pdf)).
- AHS recommends a hand basin within 8 m (26 ft 3 in) of every area where food or drinks are handled, prepared or served, and requires at least one mop sink ([AHS](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-start-food-business.pdf)).
- The building code counts 1.20 m² (12.9 sq ft) per person in dining space, so a 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) dining room counts as about 83 people ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 3.1.17.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- For 26 to 50 people of each sex, a restaurant needs at least 1 water closet for men and 2 for women ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 3.7.2.2.-A](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- A change-of-use development permit in Calgary costs $190 if the use is permitted and $624 if it's discretionary or needs a relaxation ([Calgary's changes to existing buildings page](https://www.calgary.ca/development/commercial/alterations.html)).

## What does AHS need before you build a restaurant or cafe?

AHS needs to approve your plan before you build a new food business or make a major alteration to one ([AHS, January 2026](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-start-food-business.pdf)). Major alterations include structural changes, new major equipment and changes to plumbing or ventilation. Redecorating, cosmetic repairs, rearranging seats or cutting seats don't count.

Draw the plan to scale with room dimensions, showing every food area from the bar to the garbage room, each piece of equipment, plumbing and lighting details, finishes, the dining areas and their seat count, your menu and the utensils customers will use. Floors, walls and ceilings in food handling and storage areas must be impervious, washable, durable and light-coloured.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Plan approval for a Calgary food business. Scaled plan, menu and seat count, then Submit to the City at least 6 weeks ahead, then AHS and City plan review, then Building permit and construction, then AHS approval inspection, then Food handling permit. Not to scale. Any change to the approved plan needs a new approval.*

In Calgary you submit plans at least six weeks before you want to start construction, to the City's planning department, which sends a copy to AHS Environmental Public Health. You can build once both have finished their review.

## Which sinks does your menu need?

AHS sets your minimum sinks by what you serve and how you wash customers' dishes ([AHS, January 2026](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-start-food-business.pdf)). As of September 2026, the guide's table reads:

| What you serve | Single-use utensils only | Reusable, no dishwasher | Reusable, all fit the dishwasher | Reusable, some don't fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepackaged food, self-serve | No sink, but access to water | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Coffee and other low-risk food | 1-compartment sink | 3-compartment sink | 1-compartment sink | n/a |
| Minimal handling (hot dogs, reheated pre-cooked frozen food, popcorn) | 2-compartment sink | 3-compartment sink | 1-compartment sink | 2-compartment sink |
| High- and low-risk food | Hand sink, 2-compartment sink | Hand sink, 3-compartment sink | Hand sink, 2-compartment sink as dishwasher backup | Hand sink, 2-compartment sink as dishwasher backup |

Note: AHS minimums from the January 2026 guide. Your public health inspector confirms the sinks on plan review and can ask for more.

A kitchen with a separate food preparation area adds a second hand sink and a 1-compartment prep sink. Washroom hand basins, dishwasher slop sinks and mop sinks don't count.

For a cafe, read the coffee row. With reusable mugs and no dishwasher, the 3-compartment sink also serves for handwashing, since there's no food preparation.

## Where do the hand sinks, drainboards and mop sink go?

Hand basins must stay accessible and in sight, and AHS recommends one within 8 m (26 ft 3 in) of every area where food or drinks are handled, prepared or served ([AHS, January 2026](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-start-food-business.pdf)). A bigger kitchen can need more basins, and a basin near food can need a splash barrier. The other sinks have set places too:

- Sanitation (dishwashing) sinks should have 450 mm (1 ft 6 in) self-draining drainboards on both sides, with raised edges.
- You need a food preparation sink if you rinse, wash, drain or thaw raw meat, poultry or seafood. It must be stainless steel with at least one 457 mm (1 ft 6 in) self-draining drainboard.
- A dishwasher should have its own slop sink and drain racks, with the slop sink on the dirty side.
- AHS recommends a dump sink near the glass washer in a bar.
- Every food business needs at least one mop sink, or a curbed cleaning area with a floor drain, with backflow prevention.
- Wastewater bylaws and the National Plumbing Code call for a properly sized grease interceptor, AHS notes.

The approval inspection checks for separate plumbed sinks for handwashing, dishwashing, food prep and mopping.

## How many people does the code count in your dining room?

The National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, sets no square feet per seat. It sets an area per person that gives your occupant load, the head count the City uses to size exits and washrooms ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 3.1.17.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Restaurants are Group A, Division 2 assembly occupancies. The rows that matter:

| Use | Area per person | People per 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Dining, beverage and cafeteria space | 1.20 m² (12.9 sq ft) | 83.3 |
| Space with non-fixed seats and tables | 0.95 m² (10.2 sq ft) | 105.3 |
| Space with non-fixed seats | 0.75 m² (8.1 sq ft) | 133.3 |
| Standing space | 0.40 m² (4.3 sq ft) | 250 |
| Kitchens | 9.30 m² (100 sq ft) | 10.8 |
| Space with fixed seats | One person per seat | Depends on the seats |

Note: Code values as of September 2026; the last column is arithmetic. Occupant load is a head count for exits and washrooms, not a seating plan.

Your occupant load is the number of people you design for, but not less than the table gives unless you can show fewer will use the space; if it differs from the table, you post a sign stating it (3.1.17.1). The City decides which row fits your dining room.

In a 10 m (32 ft 10 in) square dining room, one person's share at 1.20 m² is a patch 1 200 mm by 1 000 mm. At 0.95 m², it's 950 mm by 1 000 mm:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: One person's share of a 100 m² dining room. A room 10 000 mm (32 ft 10 in) by 10 000 mm (32 ft 10 in) with 1.20 1 200 mm by 1 000 mm, 0.95 950 mm by 1 000 mm.*

In a building that isn't sprinklered throughout, a licensed restaurant with an occupant load over 150 needs a fire alarm system (3.2.4.1). Ask the landlord before you sign.

## How many washrooms do those seats need?

A restaurant's water closet count comes from the code's assembly table, by persons of each sex ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.7.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The code splits your occupant load evenly between males and females unless you can show a different proportion:

| Persons of each sex | Water closets for males | Water closets for females |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 25 | 1 | 1 |
| 26 to 50 | 1 | 2 |
| 51 to 75 | 2 | 3 |
| 76 to 100 | 2 | 4 |
| 101 to 125 | 3 | 5 |
| 126 to 150 | 3 | 6 |

Note: Code minimums from Table 3.7.2.2.-A as of September 2026; the table runs past 400. The City confirms your count.

The 100 m² dining room counts as about 83 people, or about 42 of each sex: 1 water closet for men and 2 for women, before the kitchen adds its own count. Other washroom rules:

- An occupant load of 10 or fewer can share one water closet for both sexes (3.7.2.2.(2)), which suits a small cafe.
- Urinals can replace up to two thirds of the men's water closets (3.7.2.2.(3)).
- A room with one or 2 water closets needs at least one lavatory (3.7.2.3).
- Where washrooms are on a storey that needs a barrier-free path, one must be a universal washroom with a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning circle (3.8.2.8 and 3.8.3.13). See [barrier-free bathroom sizes](/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta).
- Standard stalls are at least 1 400 mm (4 ft 7 in) deep and 800 mm (2 ft 7 in) wide (3.7.2.2.(16)).

## Which Calgary permits and fees apply to a restaurant fit-out?

In Calgary you need a building permit for any construction, including changes to structural or non-structural walls, and when a new business changes the building code classification or occupant load ([Calgary's changes to existing buildings page](https://www.calgary.ca/development/commercial/alterations.html)). Adding or changing cooking equipment can call for more ventilation, trade work can need its own permits, and AHS must review a restaurant's application.

A restaurant moving into a former shop or office changes classification. Shops are Group E and offices Group D, while restaurants are Group A, Division 2 ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-3.1.2.1.(1)](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Planning approval comes before the building permit. If a restaurant isn't the approved use for the space, you need a change-of-use development permit. The fees, as of September 2026:

| Fee | Who charges it | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Change of use, permitted | City of Calgary | $190, about 5 business days |
| Change of use, discretionary or with a relaxation | City of Calgary | $594 plus $30 advertising ($624), 10 to 12 weeks |
| Building permit | City of Calgary | Set by the construction value you declare |
| Food handling permit | AHS | $100 to $500 by class; $250 for extensive handling of high-risk food; valid one year |

Note: Published fees as of September 2026. They're permit fees, not fit-out costs.

## What did Calgary restaurant fit-outs declare in 2025?

Calgary restaurant and cafe fit-outs declared these values on 2025 building permits:

Restaurant and cafe fit-outs, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | 175 | $125,000 |
| Licensed restaurant | 63 | $110,000 |
| Take-out, no seats | 23 | $53,000 |
| Restaurant or drinking establishment | 10 | $135,000 |
| Cafe | 7 | $100,000 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

The declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It sets the permit fee and runs below the full cost of the work, so read these medians as a low marker, not a quote.

## Why walk the kitchen line before AHS approves the plan?

AHS is plain: "Any changes to your plans will require new approval from the appropriate departments" ([AHS, January 2026](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-start-food-business.pdf)). The time to move a hand sink, turn the dish pit around or widen the line is before you submit.

At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is shown at full size on a walkable LED floor, room by room, with room names and dimension lines. Your chef and servers can walk the line from storage to the pass, pace 8 m from each hand sink, and carry a tray between the studio's movable dining table and chairs. Freestanding walls stand in for partitions. Changes are made on the spot, and you keep the session recording. A plan bigger than the floor is walked a section at a time.

A standard session is two hours. Commercial sessions are quoted by the size of the space, with nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)), a small fraction of the 2025 median declared for a restaurant fit-out. Send the plan as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead, then [book a session](/book) or read [how a session works](/how-it-works). More [commercial layout guides](/commercial): [daycares](/commercial/daycare-layout-alberta), [medical clinics](/commercial/medical-clinic-layout-alberta) and [dental offices](/commercial/dental-office-layout-alberta).

## Questions

### What are the commercial kitchen requirements in Alberta?

Alberta's commercial kitchen requirements start with an AHS-approved plan before construction, as of September 2026. The kitchen needs the sinks AHS sets for its menu, a mop sink, washable light-coloured finishes and, after an approval inspection, a food handling permit. The building code, which the City of Calgary enforces, adds washrooms and exits.

### How many square feet per seat does a restaurant need?

The building code sets no square feet per seat for a restaurant. It counts 1.20 m² (12.9 sq ft) of dining space per person to work out the occupant load, so 1,076 sq ft (100 m²) of dining room counts as about 83 people. That count sizes washrooms and exits; how many seats fit comfortably is a layout question.

### Do I need a change of use permit for a restaurant in Calgary?

You need a change-of-use development permit in Calgary if a restaurant isn't the approved use for the space. As of September 2026 it costs $190 if the use is permitted and $624 if it's discretionary or needs a relaxation, and it comes before the building permit.

### What sinks does a small cafe need in Alberta?

A small cafe in Alberta needs the sinks AHS sets for its menu. Brewed coffee and low-risk food in disposables needs a 1-compartment sink; with reusable mugs and no dishwasher, it's a 3-compartment sink. Once you handle high-risk food, AHS requires a hand sink plus dishwashing sinks.

### How long does AHS plan approval take for a restaurant?

AHS asks for restaurant plans at least six weeks before you want to start construction, as of September 2026; in Calgary they go through the City. After construction, AHS aims to schedule the approval inspection within 7 business days of receiving your documents.

---

## Daycare space requirements in Alberta: planning the layout

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/commercial/daycare-layout-alberta
Updated: 2026-09-25

An Alberta daycare needs at least 3 m² (32 sq ft) of primary play space for every child it's licensed for, and pre-school and out of school care need 2.5 m² (27 sq ft) per child, under Schedule 1, section 18 of the [Early Learning and Child Care Regulation, AR 143/2008](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2008_143.pdf), consolidated to 30 September 2025. That's usable play space only, so washrooms, the kitchen, storage and your office come on top. Here's how those rules, and the fixtures Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the building code add, become rooms, as of September 2026.

## Key takeaways

- A day care in Alberta needs at least 3 m² (32 sq ft) of primary play space per licensed child, and pre-school and out of school care need 2.5 m² (27 sq ft) ([Regulation, Schedule 1, s.18](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2008_143.pdf)).
- A day care's outdoor space must hold at least half its licensed capacity, at 2 m² (22 sq ft) per infant and 4.5 m² (48 sq ft) per child 19 months or older ([s.19](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2008_143.pdf)).
- Group caps shape the rooms: 6 infants under 12 months at 1:3, 12 children from 19 months to under 3 at 1:6, and 20 children 4 and older at 1:10 ([s.27](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2008_143.pdf)).
- AHS requires at least one toy-washing sink that isn't a hand or washroom sink, and a hand sink next to every diapering station ([AHS child care guide, April 2025](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eh-health-safety-guidlines-child-care-facilities.pdf)).
- The building code asks a daycare centre for at least one toilet per 30 males and one per 25 females ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.7.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Calgary issued 59 child care facility fit-out permits in 2025, with a median declared value of $68,000, which sets the fee and runs below real cost ([Calgary building permits open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

## How much space does an Alberta daycare need per child?

Schedule 1 of the Regulation defines each program, and section 18 sets its play space per licensed child ([Regulation, s.18](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2008_143.pdf)):

| Program | Who it serves | Play space per child | For 40 children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day care | Infants to kindergarten age, 4 consecutive hours or more a day | 3 m² (32 sq ft) | 120 m² (1,292 sq ft) |
| Pre-school care | 19 months and older, under 4 hours a day | 2.5 m² (27 sq ft) | 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) |
| Out of school care | Kindergarten and school-aged children outside school hours | 2.5 m² (27 sq ft) | 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) |

Note: Provincial minimums as of September 2026. They count primary play space, not the whole lease.

Under section 18(2), the statutory director, the provincial official who licenses your program, decides what counts as usable play space. Ask the licensing office before your designer fixes the plan.

## How much outdoor play space does a daycare need?

A day care needs outdoor play space for at least half its licensed capacity, at 2 m² (22 sq ft) per infant and 4.5 m² (48 sq ft) per child 19 months or older ([s.19](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2008_143.pdf)). It can be on the property, next to it, or within easy and safe walking distance.

It must be enclosed on all sides, with outside gates kept shut during use, unless the statutory director grants an exemption. Out of school care needs outdoor space within easy and safe walking distance, with no area set (s.19.1). If the building has no yard, find the park you'd use and ask the licensing office before you sign.

## How do ratios and group sizes shape each room?

Section 27 sets two numbers for each age group: children per primary staff member, and the largest group allowed ([s.27](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2008_143.pdf)). Multiply the group cap by the space per child and you get the smallest playroom for a full group:

| Age group | Staff to children | Largest group | Play space for a full group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infants under 12 months | 1:3 | 6 | 18 m² (194 sq ft) |
| Infants 12 months to under 19 months | 1:4 | 8 | 24 m² (258 sq ft) |
| 19 months to under 3 years | 1:6 | 12 | 36 m² (388 sq ft) |
| 3 years to under 4 years | 1:8 | 16 | 48 m² (517 sq ft) |
| 4 years and older | 1:10 | 20 | 60 m² (646 sq ft) |
| Out of school care | 1:15 | 30 | 75 m² (807 sq ft) at 2.5 m² |

Note: Ratios and group caps from sections 27 and 27.1 as of September 2026; the last column is arithmetic. The Regulation caps groups, not rooms; one group per room is your choice.

A few more rules change the plan:

- A centre with 3 or more infants can't mix them into other age groups between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. without an exemption (s.27(4)), so plan a separate infant room.
- Each infant needs its own crib, cradle or bassinet (s.20).
- AHS wants infant crawling areas kept apart from walkways and older children ([AHS, April 2025](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eh-health-safety-guidlines-child-care-facilities.pdf)).
- Nap space can double as play space, AHS says, with 600 mm (2 ft) of open space around each bed that isn't against a wall.

## Which sinks and diapering stations does AHS require?

AHS Environmental Public Health sets the fixtures, and a public health inspector must approve every new or renovated child care facility before it opens ([AHS, April 2025](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eh-health-safety-guidlines-child-care-facilities.pdf)). The guide asks for these, as of September 2026:

| Fixture or area | What AHS asks for |
|---|---|
| Handwashing sink | Used only for handwashing; needed in every diapering area, food preparation area and washroom |
| Toy-washing sink | At least one, easy to reach; not a hand sink or a washroom sink |
| Washroom fixtures | At least a flush toilet, a dedicated hand sink, and a bathtub or shower to bathe children |
| Diapering station | Next to a designated hand sink, fully apart from food and bottle preparation |
| Sick child area | Supervised, away from food areas, room for a bed or mat, 2 m (6 ft 7 in) from other children |
| Windows and mirrors | Safety glass within 1 m (3 ft 3 in) of the floor |

Note: A summary of AHS requirements and recommendations. Your public health inspector decides what your plan needs.

Check the toy sink and the bathtub or shower first. If you care for more than 10 children, you also need a food handling permit from AHS.

## How many toilets does a daycare need under the building code?

The National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, sets at least one water closet for each 30 males and one for each 25 females in a daycare centre ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.7.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The City of Calgary enforces it through your building permit.

The count starts from the occupant load, the number of people the space is designed for, children and staff together (3.7.2.1). The code splits it evenly by sex unless you can show a different proportion. Each washroom with one or 2 toilets needs at least one lavatory (3.7.2.3).

Where washrooms are provided on a storey that needs a barrier-free path, at least one must be a universal washroom (3.8.2.8) with room to turn a wheelchair in a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) circle (3.8.3.13). See our [barrier-free bathroom guide](/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta) for the full sizes.

## Which approvals does a Calgary daycare need?

Three bodies approve a Calgary daycare: the City for land use and building, AHS for health, and the province for the licence ([Government of Alberta](https://www.alberta.ca/licensed-facility-based-programs)). The City's local steps, as of September 2026, are on [Calgary's facility-based child care page](https://www.calgary.ca/for-business/licences/open-a-facility-based-child-care-business.html) and [Calgary's changes to existing buildings page](https://www.calgary.ca/development/commercial/alterations.html):

| Approval | Who gives it | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Development permit or tenancy change | City of Calgary | The use is "Child Care Service". A change of use costs $190 if permitted (5 business days) or $624 if discretionary or needing a relaxation (10 to 12 weeks); a tenancy change is $0 |
| Building and trade permits | City of Calgary, with AHS review | Needed to add, move or remove partitions |
| Plan review and opening approval | AHS public health inspector | Show a detailed plan before construction |
| Child care licence | Alberta's Ministry of Education and Childcare | Information session first; apply with your health, municipal and safety approvals; up to 30 business days once complete |
| City business licence | City of Calgary | Not needed in an approved commercial facility |

Note: Published fees and timelines as of September 2026. Building permit fees depend on the job.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Approval order for a Calgary daycare. Development permit or tenancy change, then Building permit, with AHS plan review, then Construction, then Health and fire inspections, then Provincial licence. Not to scale. Licensing can take up to 30 business days once your package is complete.*

One code check belongs before you sign. In a building that isn't sprinklered throughout, a child care facility with an occupant load over 40 needs a fire alarm system ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.2.4.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Under 3.2.4.2, it usually has to cover the whole building. Ask the landlord whether the building is sprinklered.

## Worked example: which rooms does a 40-child centre need?

Here's the arithmetic for one possible 40-child day care, not a design:

| Room | Children | Primary staff | Minimum play space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infants, 12 to under 19 months | 8 | 2 | 24 m² (258 sq ft) |
| Toddlers, 19 months to under 3 years | 12 | 2 | 36 m² (388 sq ft) |
| Preschoolers, 4 years and older | 20 | 2 | 60 m² (646 sq ft) |
| Total | 40 | 6 | 120 m² (1,292 sq ft) |

Note: Arithmetic from sections 18 and 27 for one mix of ages.

Around those playrooms, the same rules add:

- Outdoor space for 20 children at once: 90 m² (969 sq ft) if all 20 are 19 months or older.
- 8 cribs in the infant room.
- A diapering station beside a hand sink, a toy-washing sink, a kitchen closed to children, a sick-child area and storage.
- Washrooms with a bathtub or shower. The code counts 46 people (40 children and 6 staff), or 23 of each sex, so at least one toilet for each.
- A fire alarm system if the building isn't sprinklered throughout, since 46 is over 40.

The rules don't size the washrooms, kitchen, office or storage, so the lease will be larger than 120 m².

## What did Calgary child care fit-outs declare in 2025?

Calgary child care fit-outs declared these values on 2025 building permits:

Child care fit-outs, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Child care facility | 59 | $68,000 |
| Day-care | 21 | $100,000 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

The declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It sets the permit fee and runs below the full cost of the work, so treat these medians as a low marker, not a quote.

## Can you walk a daycare plan at full size before you sign the lease?

Yes. A plan can hit every number above and still work badly on a busy morning. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is shown at full size on a walkable LED floor, room by room, with room names and dimension lines.

You and your staff can walk the drop-off route, stand at the diapering station to see what it faces, and count how many cots fit with 600 mm around each. Freestanding walls stand in for partitions, and the studio's bathtub on wheels can sit where your bathing tub goes. Changes are made on the spot, and the session is recorded for staff who couldn't come. A plan bigger than the floor is walked a wing at a time.

A standard session is two hours. Commercial sessions are quoted by the size of the space, with nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)), a small fraction of the 2025 median declared for a child care facility. Send the plan as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead, then [book a session](/book) or read [how a session works](/how-it-works). More [commercial layout guides](/commercial): [restaurants](/commercial/restaurant-layout-calgary), [medical clinics](/commercial/medical-clinic-layout-alberta) and [dental offices](/commercial/dental-office-layout-alberta).

## Questions

### How many square metres per child does a daycare need in Alberta?

An Alberta day care needs at least 3 m² (32 sq ft) of primary play space per licensed child, under Schedule 1, section 18 of the Early Learning and Child Care Regulation. Pre-school and out of school care need 2.5 m² (27 sq ft) per child, and outdoor space comes on top.

### How big does a daycare need to be for 40 children?

A 40-child day care in Alberta needs at least 120 m² (1,292 sq ft) of primary play space, plus outdoor space for 20 children at once: 90 m² (969 sq ft) if all 20 are 19 months or older.

The rules don't size washrooms, the kitchen, storage or the office, so the whole space will be larger.

### Where can I find Alberta's daycare regulations as a PDF?

Alberta's daycare regulations are in the Early Learning and Child Care Regulation, AR 143/2008, a free PDF from Alberta King's Printer. Schedule 1 holds the space rules (sections 18 to 20) and the ratios (section 27). AHS's child care guide is a free PDF too.

### Does a daycare in Calgary need a City business licence?

A daycare in an approved commercial facility in Calgary doesn't need a City of Calgary business licence, as of September 2026. The province licenses it, and you still need City planning and building approvals and AHS approval.

### Can a daycare's nap room count as play space?

A daycare's nap room can double as a play area, AHS says, if each bed has 600 mm (2 ft) of open space on every side not against a wall. Whether it counts toward the 3 m² per child is the provincial statutory director's call, so ask the licensing office.

---

## Dental office layout in Alberta: reprocessing and access

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/commercial/dental-office-layout-alberta
Updated: 2026-09-25

The rule most specific to a dental office layout in Alberta comes from the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (CDSA), not the building code. As of September 2026, the College's infection control standard, dated January 2023, says a new build, renovation or move "must consider" a separate room for reprocessing, with one-way instrument and personnel flow ([CDSA infection control standard, 2023](https://www.cdsab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CDSA-SoP-Infection-Prevention-and-Control.pdf), 8.2.8). Neither the College nor the code sets a minimum operatory size.

## Key takeaways

- The CDSA's January 2023 standard says new construction, renovations and relocations must consider a separate reprocessing room with one-way instrument and personnel flow ([CDSA, 2023](https://www.cdsab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CDSA-SoP-Infection-Prevention-and-Control.pdf), 8.2.8).
- Instruments move one way through reprocessing, from dirty to sterile, and new work should include at least two adjacent sinks big enough to submerge the largest item ([CDSA, 2023](https://www.cdsab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CDSA-SoP-Infection-Prevention-and-Control.pdf), 8.2.5 and 8.2.9).
- Alberta's physician clinic rules, with 915 mm (3 ft) doors and a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning space in one exam or treatment room in five, are worded for physicians; the Province's 2024 design guide suggests them for dental offices as best practice ([Alberta Municipal Affairs, Accessibility design guide 2024](https://open.alberta.ca/publications/accessibility-design-guide), page 81).
- A dental office in a commercial building gets the general barrier-free rules, including a path at least 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) wide and doorways at least 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) clear ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.2 and 3.8.3.6](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Calgary has no dental permit class: the eight 2025 permits that named dental or orthodontic work sat in three medical classes and declared $50,000 to $850,000 ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).
- In August 2026, dental supplier Henry Schein announced a partnership with the US studio network Walk Your Plans to offer full-scale walkthroughs to dentists planning new offices ([Walk Your Plans, 2026](https://www.walkyourplans.com/news/walk-your-plans-and-henry-schein-announce-national-partnershipnbsp)).

## What does the College require of a dental reprocessing area?

Alberta dentists must follow the College's standard, and not doing so may be unprofessional conduct under the Health Professions Act ([CDSA, 2023](https://www.cdsab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CDSA-SoP-Infection-Prevention-and-Control.pdf)). Section 8 sets the rules for the reprocessing room. In brief, as of September 2026:

| Clause | What it asks |
|---|---|
| 8.1 | A designated reprocessing area, apart from clinical care, used only for reprocessing |
| 8.2.2 | Decontamination kept physically or spatially apart from where clean and sterile instruments are handled or stored |
| 8.2.3 | Easy access to hand hygiene |
| 8.2.4.1 | Work surfaces that are intact, cut-resistant, non-porous and without seams |
| 8.2.5 | One-way movement of instruments, from dirty to sterile |
| 8.2.6 | Air changes, temperature and humidity that suit the process, per the manufacturers' instructions |
| 8.2.8 | New construction, renovation or relocation must consider a separate reprocessing room with one-way instrument and personnel flow |
| 8.2.9, note | New work: at least two adjacent sinks, big enough to submerge the largest item |

Note: A summary of the College's wording, not a design. The College sets the standard; the City of Calgary reviews the building work.

Existing offices get some leeway. Where walls can't separate the areas, the College accepts spatial separation with a one-way workflow (8.2.5.1), and a dedicated rinsing basin can stand in for a second sink (8.2.9). Clause 8.2.8 covers new offices, renovations and moves alike, so a fit-out is the moment to plan the separate room.

## How does reprocessing shape the rest of the office?

The reprocessing room fixes the route every used instrument takes, so place it before the operatories. Staff pre-clean instruments at the chair, then carry them straight to the area for contaminated items in covered, leak-proof containers ([CDSA, 2023](https://www.cdsab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CDSA-SoP-Infection-Prevention-and-Control.pdf), 9.3, 9.5 and 9.6). Clean and soiled items travel in separate containers or carts (9.6.1).

The sequence, in the order sections 9 to 13 of the standard set it out:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: One-way reprocessing in a dental office. Pre-clean at the chair, then Closed container to the dirty side, then Sort, disassemble and clean, then Rinse, dry, reassemble and inspect, then Package, label and sterilize, then Dedicated clean storage. Dirty to sterile, one way only (CDSA 8.2.5).*

Heat-sensitive semi-critical items take high-level disinfection instead of sterilization (11.1). Clean and sterile items need storage used for nothing else, with room to keep packages from being crushed (13.3). They can't sit on the floor, on a window sill, under a sink or near water (13.4). The reprocessing room is for reprocessing only, with no eating, drinking or food storage (18.1.2), and the office's air handling has to protect staff from toxic vapours (18.1.3).

Sinks matter at the chair too. The College prefers a separate sink for hand hygiene, and a sink patients spit in, or one used for instruments, must be cleaned, disinfected and marked before staff wash their hands in it (3.2).

## Do Alberta's physician clinic rules apply to a dental office?

Their wording is limited to physicians, but the Province suggests them for dental offices as best practice. Subsection 3.8.5 of the building code (second printing, in force since 17 August 2026) covers physician clinics and offices ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.5](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The code ties it to services offered by physicians registered with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, and it doesn't mention dentists.

What each source says, as of September 2026:

| Source | What it says about dental offices |
|---|---|
| Building code, 3.8.5.1 and Division A, 1.4.1.2 | The clinic rules cover services by physicians registered with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta; dentists aren't named |
| Building code, Note A-3.1.2.1.(1) | Dental offices and medical offices are both examples of Group D, business and personal services |
| [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/commercial/alterations.html) | Its permit form lists dental and medical offices together under personal service, office and business |
| Accessibility design guide 2024, page 81 | As best practice, suggests extending the clinic rules to dental, orthodontic, optometry, lab and chiropractic offices |

Note: The code's wording and the Province's advice differ. The City of Calgary decides what your permit drawings must show, so ask before you rely on either.

If you follow the design guide, treat operatories as treatment rooms: one in five, or part of five, gets a 915 mm (3 ft) doorway and a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning space (3.8.5.3). That's one accessible operatory for up to five, and two for six to ten.

The wording matters upstairs too. In a building of two storeys or fewer, a floor above or below the entrance can often go without a barrier-free path. The code ends that exemption for physician clinics but doesn't name dental offices ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). It also ends in other cases, such as a floor of 600 m² (6,458 sq ft) or more, or one served by an elevator or lift. The design guide recommends a lift or elevator to every level regardless.

## Which barrier-free rules apply to every dental office?

Section 3.8 applies to every building except houses and a few other types, so a dental office in a commercial building gets the general rules whatever you decide about 3.8.5 ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The ones most likely to shape a fit-out:

| Element | Code minimum | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Barrier-free path | At least 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) clear | 3.8.3.2 |
| Doorways on that path | At least 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) clear with the door open; threshold no higher than 13 mm (0.5 in) | 3.8.3.6 |
| Power door operators | At the barrier-free entrance, on doors in public corridors on the way in, and at washrooms with a barrier-free water closet; not your own suite door | 3.8.2.7 and its note |
| Washrooms | At least one universal washroom where washrooms are provided, with a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning space | 3.8.2.8 and 3.8.3.13 |
| Reception counter | One section no higher than 865 mm (2 ft 10 in) and at least 800 mm (2 ft 7 in) long, with knee space where people face it | 3.8.2.11 and 3.8.3.20 |
| Waiting room with fixed seats | 2 wheelchair spaces for 2 to 99 seats | Table 3.8.2.3 |

Note: Code minimums as of September 2026, not recommended sizes. The City of Calgary checks them at permit, and a relaxation goes to Alberta Municipal Affairs.

The [hallway width guide](/room-sizes/hallway-width-alberta) and the [barrier-free bathroom guide](/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta) cover paths and universal washrooms in more detail.

## What permits does a dental fit-out need in Calgary?

Most dental fit-outs need a building permit and trade permits, and a development permit if the space changes use. As of September 2026, the City of Calgary asks for a building permit when you alter walls, structural or not, and each trade contractor pulls separate permits for electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/commercial/alterations.html)).

A development permit comes first if you change how the space is used. The City lists $190 and 5 business days for a permitted change of use, and $624 and 10 to 12 weeks for a discretionary one or one with a relaxation. An interior renovation permit typically takes 21 to 49 days, with a fee set by construction value. Alberta Health Services must review some businesses, but the City's examples, such as [restaurants](/commercial/restaurant-layout-calgary) and [daycares](/commercial/daycare-layout-alberta), don't include dental offices.

## What do dental fit-outs in Calgary declare?

There's no dental permit class, so dental offices file under the medical classes. Here are those classes in 2025, dental and medical permits together:

Medical classes that dental offices fall under, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical, miscellaneous | 85 | $132,500 |
| Medical office | 33 | $80,000 |
| Clinic | 14 | $72,000 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

In 2025, the eight permits whose descriptions named dental or orthodontic work sat in these classes: five in Medical Misc., two in Office, Medical and one in Clinic ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)). Four declared $80,000 or less. The other four declared $300,000 or more, with the highest at $850,000. Eight is a small sample, and the count misses any permit that doesn't say dental.

Declared values set the permit fee and usually run below what the work costs, so budget from a contractor's estimate. The [medical clinic guide](/commercial/medical-clinic-layout-alberta) covers the physician side of the same classes.

## Walk the operatories and the reprocessing route at full size

Full-scale walkthroughs are already part of dental practice planning elsewhere. In August 2026, Henry Schein, a large supplier to dental and medical practices, announced a national partnership with Walk Your Plans, a US walkthrough company. Henry Schein's equipment specialists will offer walkthroughs to dentists planning new offices, renovations or expansions, to check workflow, operatory spacing and equipment placement ([Walk Your Plans, 2026](https://www.walkyourplans.com/news/walk-your-plans-and-henry-schein-announce-national-partnershipnbsp)). Henry Schein's Eric Greene said a dentist will likely build a practice only once or twice in a career. This studio isn't part of that partnership.

At the studio, your plan is lit at full size on a walkable LED floor, room by room, with room names and dimension lines. Stand where each chair is drawn and look at the clearances around it. Then walk a used tray to the dirty side and on to clean storage, and check it never crosses back. Freestanding walls and chairs stand in for partitions and seating, changes go onto the floor on the spot, and you keep a recording of the session for anyone who couldn't come.

Send plans as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead. Commercial sessions are quoted by the size of the space ([get a quote](/pricing)). [Book a session](/book) and bring the people who'll work in the space. Designers can see how the studio works with clients on the [architects and designers](/architects-and-designers) page, and other [commercial layout guides](/commercial) cover more businesses.

## Questions

### What is the minimum dental operatory size in Alberta?

Alberta sets no minimum dental operatory size, as of September 2026. Neither the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta's infection control standard nor the building code sets one.

If you follow the Province's best-practice advice on the physician clinic rules, one operatory in five would get a 915 mm (3 ft) doorway and a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning space.

### Does a dental office in Alberta need a separate sterilization room?

A new, renovated or relocated dental office in Alberta should plan a separate reprocessing room with one-way instrument and personnel flow, which clause 8.2.8 of the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta's standard says a new build, renovation or move must consider. An existing office that can't separate the areas with walls may use spatial separation with a one-way workflow instead (8.2.5.1).

### Do dental offices need 915 mm doors in Alberta?

Alberta's 915 mm door rule is worded for physician clinics and doesn't mention dental offices. A dental office still needs barrier-free doorways at least 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) clear. The Province's 2024 design guide suggests the physician clinic rules for dental offices as best practice, and the City of Calgary decides what your permit drawings must show.

### How much does a dental office renovation cost in Calgary?

Calgary's permit data gives declared values, not costs. In 2025, the eight permits that named dental or orthodontic work declared between $50,000 and $850,000. Declared values set the permit fee and usually run below real costs, so get a contractor's estimate for your space before you budget.

### Who approves a dental office layout in Alberta?

No single body approves a dental office layout in Alberta. In Calgary, the City reviews and inspects the building work under the building code. The College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta holds dentists to its infection control standard, and Alberta Municipal Affairs takes applications to relax barrier-free rules.

---

## Double garage size in Canada: Calgary rules, single to triple

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/room-sizes/garage-size-calgary
Updated: 2026-09-25

In Calgary, a double garage is roughly 22 by 22 ft to 24 by 24 ft (6.7 to 7.3 m square) and a single about 14 by 22 ft, in the 2026 garage guide from Calgary builder Precision Construction & Decora ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)). The City of Calgary's own minimum is the parking stall: at least 5.9 m by 3 m (19 ft 4 in by 9 ft 10 in) when it touches two barriers, such as garage walls ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)). Alberta's building code sets no garage floor size; it asks for a clear height of at least 2 m (6 ft 7 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.3.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

## Key takeaways

- As of September 2026, a Calgary parking stall must be at least 5.9 m by 3 m (19 ft 4 in by 9 ft 10 in) when it touches two barriers, 5.9 m by 2.85 m with one, and 5.9 m by 2.5 m with none ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).
- Precision Construction & Decora prices a single garage of about 14 by 22 ft at $35,000 to $55,000 and a double of 22 by 22 to 24 by 24 ft at $55,000 to $90,000 in 2026 ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)).
- A garage over 75 m² (807 sq ft), over 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) tall, over 3 m (9 ft 10 in) to the eave or larger than the house needs a development permit ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).
- All accessory buildings on a lot can cover no more than the lesser of the house's footprint or 75.0 m² per dwelling unit ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, s. 346](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)).
- A slab over 55 m² (592 sq ft) without a foundation 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) below grade must be engineered, so a 24 by 24 ft double, at 53.5 m², sits just under that line ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).
- The City issued 2,854 permits for new detached garages in 2025, with a median declared value of $42,434 ([The City of Calgary open data, 2025](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

## How big is a double garage in Calgary?

Between 22 by 22 ft and 24 by 24 ft, in the size bands Precision Construction & Decora (PCND) published on 30 March 2026. PCND calls 24 by 24 ft the sweet spot for most suburban lots, with "enough room to open both car doors comfortably and still walk around" ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)).

These are PCND's sizes and 2026 prices, with metric sizes and areas converted:

| Garage | PCND's size | Metric | Area | PCND's 2026 range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | About 14 by 22 ft | 4.3 by 6.7 m | 308 sq ft (28.6 m²) | $35,000 to $55,000 |
| Double | 22 by 22 ft | 6.7 by 6.7 m | 484 sq ft (45.0 m²) | $55,000 to $90,000 |
| Double | 24 by 24 ft | 7.3 by 7.3 m | 576 sq ft (53.5 m²) | $55,000 to $90,000 |
| Oversized or triple | 26 ft or wider | 7.9 m or wider | 624 sq ft (58.0 m²) at 24 ft deep | $90,000 to $140,000+ |

Note: these are one builder's sizes and price ranges, not City minimums or quotes, and PCND doesn't say whether its sizes are inside or outside dimensions.

PCND's oversized band covers "a third bay, a deeper footprint for a truck or trailer, or taller walls" for a lift or an RV. Its prices assume a finished build on a reasonably flat lot.

## What does the City of Calgary require for a garage stall?

A stall at least 5.9 m (19 ft 4 in) deep, and 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) wide when it touches two barriers. The City counts "walls of a garage, fences and property lines" as barriers ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)). The rule comes from the Land Use Bylaw: "The minimum depth of a motor vehicle parking stall is 5.9 metres" for a house, a secondary suite or a backyard suite ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, s. 122](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)).

The City's stall sizes depend on how many barriers the stall touches, as of September 2026:

| Stall touches | Minimum width | Minimum depth |
|---|---|---|
| Two barriers, such as both walls of a single garage | 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) | 5.9 m (19 ft 4 in) |
| One barrier, such as one garage wall | 2.85 m (9 ft 4 in) | 5.9 m (19 ft 4 in) |
| No barriers, such as an open pad | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) | 5.9 m (19 ft 4 in) |

Note: these are minimums for required stalls, measured between barriers; they're not recommended garage sizes.

By that rule, two stalls side by side with no wall between them each touch one barrier, so the pair needs at least 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in) of clear width: two 2 850 mm stalls, 5 700 mm across and 5 900 mm deep. Most districts require at least one stall, some narrow lots need two, and required stalls can't be one behind the other ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).

*Diagram, drawn to scale: The City's minimum for two stalls in a garage. 2 stalls, each 2 850 mm (9 ft 4 in) wide and 5 900 mm (19 ft 4 in) deep; 5 700 mm (18 ft 8 in) across.*

Inside PCND's 24 ft double, taken as 7 315 mm square inside, two of those stalls against the side walls leave 1 615 mm (5 ft 4 in) between them and 1 415 mm (4 ft 8 in) behind them:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Two minimum stalls in a 24 by 24 ft garage. A room 7 315 mm (24 ft) by 7 315 mm (24 ft) with Stall 2 850 mm by 5 900 mm, Stall 2 850 mm by 5 900 mm; clearances 1 615 mm, 1 415 mm.*

Calgary's stall sizes come from its own bylaw, so other municipalities' numbers can differ. Stairs in a garage that serves your home follow the home's stair rules ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.1.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)), covered in the [stairs guide](/room-sizes/stairs-alberta).

## How big and how tall can a detached garage be in Calgary?

Past any of the Land Use Bylaw limits below, you need a development permit, with no guarantee of approval ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, s. 345 and 346](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)). These are the rules that shape a detached garage on a typical low-density Calgary lot, as of September 2026:

| Rule | Limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Needed over 10 m² (107 sq ft) | City garages page |
| Height to the peak | 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in), from the finished floor | Land Use Bylaw, s. 345 |
| Height at the eave | 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in), from the finished floor | Land Use Bylaw, s. 345 |
| Storeys | One, plus an attic up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) high, with no windows and a removable ladder | Land Use Bylaw, s. 345 |
| Area of all accessory buildings | Lesser of the house's footprint or 75.0 m² (807 sq ft) per dwelling unit | Land Use Bylaw, s. 346 |
| Slab | Engineered if over 55 m² (592 sq ft) without a foundation 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) below grade | City garages page |
| Distance from the house | 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) | City garages page |
| Rear and side property lines | 0.6 m (2 ft), or 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) from a street, with exceptions | City garages page |

Note: these are limits as the City and the bylaw state them, not design advice; lot coverage limits by district also apply.

The same 55 m² appears in the code: a one-storey detached garage under 55 m² that isn't masonry can sit on a 100 mm concrete slab rather than full foundations ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.35.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). PCND's doubles fall under it; a triple 26 ft wide and 24 ft deep, at 58.0 m², goes over. For scale, a garage 24 ft deep reaches 75 m² at about 33 ft 8 in wide.

Lot coverage is a separate cap: in R-C1, all buildings together can cover 45% of the lot ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).

## How deep should a garage be for a truck?

No Calgary rule sets a truck depth; the stall minimum is 5.9 m (19 ft 4 in) for any vehicle. Compare your truck's length, from the maker's specification page for its model year, cab and box, with the garage's inside depth. The rest is your walking room and space for a workbench or the stairs. This page doesn't list truck lengths, because they change with every model year.

A 22 ft (6 706 mm) inside depth is 806 mm (2 ft 8 in) more than the City's stall, and 24 ft (7 315 mm) is 1 415 mm (4 ft 8 in) more. For height, Pine Creek requires overhead doors 7 ft or 8 ft (2 134 or 2 438 mm) high, Silverhorn allows up to 9 ft (2 743 mm), and taller walls run into the City's 3.0 m eave limit.

## What do Pine Creek and Silverhorn require?

Some new communities add garage rules of their own, reviewed before the permit. These are two sets of published guidelines:

| Community | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Creek, Calgary | Front-drive garages at least 20 ft (6.1 m) wide, with a 16 ft (4.9 m) door | [Pine Creek guidelines, April 2023](https://experiencepinecreek.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PineCreek_CommunityDesignGuidelines_Nov2023.pdf) |
| Pine Creek | At least 12 in (305 mm) from each side of the door to the edge of the foundation | Same |
| Pine Creek | On a triple, the single bay set back at least 2 ft from the double | Same |
| Silverhorn, Rocky View County | Every garage designed for at least three vehicles | [Silverhorn guidelines, posted 2023](https://www.silverhorn.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/silverhorn-architectural-guide.pdf) |
| Silverhorn | Doors no taller than 9 ft or wider than 20 ft without the coordinator's approval | Same |
| Silverhorn | Boats, trailers and campers kept in a garage or accessory building | Same |

Note: these are developer guidelines as published, not City or County bylaws; check the current stage's rules with the architectural coordinator.

In Silverhorn, Rocky View County "will not accept building permit applications" without an approved stamp from IBI Group, the community's architectural coordinator. Settle the garage before you apply.

## Do you need a permit for a detached garage in Calgary?

Yes, if it's over 10 m² (107 sq ft). As of September 2026, the building permit for a new garage is $333.84, including the 4% Safety Codes Council fee, and every new garage also needs a separate electrical permit ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)). The [Calgary building permits guide](/blog/calgary-building-permits) covers other projects' fees and timelines.

Here's how many garage permits the City issued in 2025:

New detached garages and garage suites, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Private detached garage, new | 2,854 | $42,434 |
| Garage with a suite, new | 179 | $130,044 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

The declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It isn't a quote and runs below real costs, so the $42,434 median sits under PCND's $55,000 to $90,000 for a finished double. It doesn't set the fee either: as of September 2026 a detached garage pays the City's flat $333.84 building permit fee ([The City of Calgary, 2026 fee schedule](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/fees/building-and-trade-permit-fee-schedule.pdf)). A suite over a garage is a backyard suite, with its own rules in the [backyard suite guide](/blog/backyard-suites-calgary-rules-costs).

## Where a full-size walkthrough fits

On a drawing, it's hard to judge the depth left behind a long vehicle or a man door that swings into a stall. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, with dimension lines. Draw your vehicle's outline on the plan at its real length and it shows up on the floor too.

Freestanding walls can stand in for a shelving line or a workbench, changes go up on the floor on the spot, and you keep the session recording. Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). See [how the studio works for homeowners](/homeowners), the other [room size guides](/room-sizes), or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### What size is a double garage in Canada?

A double garage in Calgary is roughly 22 by 22 ft to 24 by 24 ft in Precision Construction & Decora's 2026 guide ([PCND, 2026](https://www.pcnd.ca/blog/detached-garage-cost-calgary-2026)). The City's minimum for two side-by-side stalls works out to 5.7 m by 5.9 m (18 ft 8 in by 19 ft 4 in) inside. Alberta's building code sets no garage size.

### How big is a single-car garage?

A single-car garage in Calgary is about 14 by 22 ft in PCND's 2026 size bands. The City's minimum for one stall between two walls is 3.0 m by 5.9 m (9 ft 10 in by 19 ft 4 in), measured inside ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).

### How big is a triple garage in Calgary?

A triple garage in Calgary starts at about 26 ft wide in PCND's size bands. Once all accessory buildings pass 75 m² (807 sq ft) per dwelling unit or the house's footprint, it needs a development permit ([Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, s. 346](https://www.calgary.ca/planning/land-use.html)). In Silverhorn, every garage must fit at least three vehicles.

### How deep should a garage be for a truck?

A garage for a truck has no set depth in Calgary's rules; the City's stall minimum is 5.9 m (19 ft 4 in) for any vehicle ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)). Compare your truck's length for its model year with the garage's inside depth.

### Do you need a permit to build a detached garage in Calgary?

Yes. A detached garage over 10 m² (107 sq ft) needs a building permit in Calgary, and every new garage needs a separate electrical permit. As of September 2026, the building permit for a new garage costs $333.84 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/garages-sheds.html)).

---

## Egress window size in Alberta: bedroom and window well rules

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/room-sizes/egress-window-alberta
Updated: 2026-09-25

In Alberta, every bedroom needs a window or outside door that opens to at least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft) with no side under 380 mm (1 ft 3 in), and a window that opens into a window well needs 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) of clear space in front of it ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). That's the second printing of the National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, in force since 17 August 2026 ([Government of Alberta, 2026](https://www.alberta.ca/building-codes-and-standards)). In Calgary, the City checks bedroom windows at plan review and again at inspection ([The City of Calgary, 2022](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/advisories/advisory-egress-window-guidelines-jun-2022.pdf)).

## Key takeaways

- As of September 2026, every bedroom in Alberta without sprinklers needs a window that opens to at least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft) with no side under 380 mm (1 ft 3 in), or an outside door ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- A window well needs 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) clear in front of a new window, while Calgary accepts 550 mm (1 ft 10 in) at an existing well when you legalize an existing suite ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/existing-secondary-suite.html)).
- Casement and awning windows count only if they open a full 90 degrees, and Calgary doesn't accept hopper or picture windows as egress ([The City of Calgary, 2022](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/advisories/advisory-egress-window-guidelines-jun-2022.pdf)).
- Calgary's current advisory allows an egress window under a deck only with at least 760 mm between grade and the deck's underside and the window right at the deck's edge ([The City of Calgary, 2022](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/advisories/advisory-egress-window-guidelines-jun-2022.pdf)).
- The City's Secondary Suite Incentive Program lists $1,500 for egress windows, but new applications have gone on a waitlist since 24 June 2026 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html)).
- OAF Construction uses $2,000 to $5,000 per opening, window and well included, as its 2026 planning example for adding an egress window in Calgary ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)).

## What size does an egress window need to be in Alberta?

An egress window must give an unobstructed opening of at least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft), with no side under 380 mm (1 ft 3 in), and hold that opening in an emergency without extra support. It must open from the inside without keys, tools or special knowledge, and without taking out sashes or hardware ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Both limits apply at once. The code's explanatory note shows it with three openings: 380 mm by 920 mm and 592 mm by 592 mm both give 0.35 m², while 380 mm by 380 mm clears the side rule but gives only 0.14 m² ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-9.9.10.1.(2)](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Egress openings from the code's own example. Passes (tall): 380 mm by 920 mm, 0.35 square metres; Passes (square): 592 mm by 592 mm, 0.35 square metres; Fails (too small): 380 mm by 380 mm, 0.14 square metres*

The City of Calgary measures the opening with the window in its normal open position, without removing any parts ([The City of Calgary, 2022](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/advisories/advisory-egress-window-guidelines-jun-2022.pdf)). On a slider, that's the gap the moving sash leaves, not the size of the whole window.

These are the code's egress rules as of September 2026:

| Rule | Value | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Clear opening | At least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft) | [9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Smallest side | 380 mm (1 ft 3 in) | [9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Clearance in a window well | 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) in front of the window | [9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Well cover and security bars | Open from inside without keys, tools or special knowledge | [9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Well drainage | To the footing or another suitable place | [9.14.6.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Sill height | No maximum; the note recommends 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) or less | [Note A-9.9.10.1.(1)](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |

Note: code minimums, not recommended sizes. The City of Calgary reviews and inspects them, so confirm your windows with the City before you build.

A high sill can defeat the window even when the opening passes. Where a basement bedroom needs a higher sill, the code's note suggests built-in furniture under the window to reach it.

## Which bedrooms need an egress window?

Every bedroom and combination bedroom needs one, on any floor, unless the suite is sprinklered. An exterior door that opens from inside without keys or tools counts instead ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

The code's note is firm about basements: a basement bedroom in a suite without sprinklers needs its own escape window or door, and the escape path can't run through another room ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-9.9.10.1.(1)](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). A window in the rec room next door doesn't count for the bedroom.

For a basement permit in Calgary, your plans must label what each room is for and show the size, type and operation of every bedroom window ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)). For the rest of the room, see the [bedroom size guide](/room-sizes/bedroom-size-alberta) and, below grade, the [basement ceiling height rules](/room-sizes/basement-ceiling-height-alberta).

## How big does a window well need to be?

The code sets one number for the well: 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) of clearance in front of the window. Its note calls that "the smallest acceptable clearance" for someone who has to climb out and up, and says to plan for snow in the well ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-9.9.10.1.(3)](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). A sash that swings into the well can't eat into that space, so an outward-opening awning needs the 760 mm beyond its open sash.

The well must drain to the footing or another suitable place, and a cover over it must open from inside without keys or tools ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.9.10.1 and 9.14.6.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The code sets no depth for the well and no ladder rule.

Calgary adds its own rules. This is how the City applies them as of September 2026:

| Situation | Calgary rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Existing well, when you legalize an existing suite | 550 mm (1 ft 10 in) clear in front of the window | [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/existing-secondary-suite.html) |
| New window | 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) clear in the well | [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/existing-secondary-suite.html) |
| Window under a deck | 760 mm from grade to the deck's underside, with the window right at the deck's edge | [Advisory A19-005, 2022](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/advisories/advisory-egress-window-guidelines-jun-2022.pdf) |
| Window under a cantilever | 760 mm from the cantilever to the top of the well or grade; cantilever projecting no more than 610 mm (2 ft) | [Advisory A19-005, 2022](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/advisories/advisory-egress-window-guidelines-jun-2022.pdf) |
| Security bars, or covers and grates over a bedroom well | Not permitted unless reviewed and approved case by case | [Advisory A19-005, 2022](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/advisories/advisory-egress-window-guidelines-jun-2022.pdf) |
| Well in a side setback | Up to 0.8 m (2 ft 7 in) into it, and none in the 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in) setback of a laneless lot | [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html) |
| Wall within 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) of a property line | Windows generally not permitted | [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html) |

Note: City rules and guidance, not design advice. The City says its advisory bulletins have no legal status, so confirm with the City of Calgary before you build.

## Can an egress window go under a deck in Calgary?

Only in a narrow case. Calgary's current advisory, A19-005, allows an egress window under a deck when there's at least 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) between grade and the underside of the deck and the window opening sits immediately beside the deck's edge ([The City of Calgary, 2022](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/advisories/advisory-egress-window-guidelines-jun-2022.pdf)).

The November 2015 version of the same advisory also allowed a window under a deck with 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) of headroom between grade and the deck ([The City of Calgary, 2015](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/egress-window-guidelines.pdf)). The City's basements page still links that version, while its suite pages link the June 2022 revision, which no longer lists the 2.1 m option. If a deck sits over a bedroom window on your plan, ask the City before you rely on either version.

## Which window types count as egress?

Casement, horizontal slider, vertical slider, awning and tilt-and-turn windows can all work. Picture windows don't open, and Calgary rejects hopper windows because you'd have to crawl over the glass ([The City of Calgary, 2022](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/building/advisories/advisory-egress-window-guidelines-jun-2022.pdf)).

Casements and awnings must open a full 90 degrees, clear of obstructions, and an awning must stay open by its own mechanism. An out-swing awning into a window well needs at least 760 mm between the well and the fully open sash. The City's suite pages repeat the 90-degree rule for casements ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)).

## Does the City help pay for egress windows?

Only through a waitlist, as of September 2026. The Secondary Suite Incentive Program pays qualifying homeowners up to $10,000 per home to build and register a suite inside the main house, not a backyard suite. Egress windows are one of its safety items, listed at $1,500. ENERGY STAR certified egress windows can add $50 per rough opening, up to $250 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html)).

Since 24 June 2026, new applications go on a waitlist, and funding may not be available. Work done before you apply doesn't qualify, so apply before you cut anything. The [legal basement suite guide](/blog/legal-basement-suite-calgary) covers the other suite costs.

## What does it cost to add an egress window later?

OAF Construction, a Calgary builder, uses $2,000 to $5,000 per opening as a 2026 planning example for the window, installation and well, or $4,000 to $10,000 for two ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)). The spread comes from the window type, digging the well, drainage and extras like steps and metal covers. OAF presents these as planning examples, not quotes.

A new or enlarged window also needs a building permit; a same-size replacement with the same operation doesn't. In a concrete foundation, the City requires an engineer's review if the new opening is wider than 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in), if all openings in the wall add up to more than 25% of its length, or if the wall left between two openings is narrower than either ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/basements.html)).

## What does 0.35 m² look like at full size?

At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is shown at full size on a walkable LED floor, with room names and dimension lines. You can see where each bedroom window sits in its wall and how much clear floor leads to it. Elevations go up on a wall-size screen behind the floor, so you can check each window's drawn size and sill height with your designer or builder.

Changes are made on the spot and shown on the floor right away, and every session is recorded for you to keep. Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). See [renovations and suites](/renovations), the other [room size guides](/room-sizes), or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### What is the minimum egress window size in Alberta?

In Alberta, an egress window must open to at least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft), with no side of the opening under 380 mm (1 ft 3 in), as of September 2026. Both limits apply at once, so a 380 mm square opening fails: its sides pass, but its area is only 0.14 m².

### How big does an egress window well need to be in Alberta?

In Alberta, an egress window well needs at least 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) of clear space in front of the window. In Calgary, an existing well can keep 550 mm (1 ft 10 in) when you legalize an existing suite, but a new window needs the full 760 mm.

### Does every bedroom need an egress window in Alberta?

Yes, every bedroom in Alberta needs an egress window or an outside door unless the suite is sprinklered. That includes bedrooms on upper floors, and a basement bedroom can't rely on a window in another room.

### Can you put an egress window under a deck in Calgary?

In Calgary, an egress window can go under a deck only if there's at least 760 mm between grade and the deck's underside and the window sits right at the deck's edge. That's the City's June 2022 advisory; the 2015 version's 2.1 m headroom option isn't in it, so ask the City before you design around it.

### Does a sliding window count as an egress window?

Yes, a horizontal or vertical sliding window can be an egress window in Calgary, but only the part that opens counts toward the 0.35 m². The opening the moving sash leaves must be at least 380 mm in both directions.

### Is there still City money for egress windows in Calgary?

The City's Secondary Suite Incentive Program still lists $1,500 for egress windows, but new applications have gone on a waitlist since 24 June 2026. Funding may not be available, and work done before you apply doesn't qualify.

---

## Medical clinic layout in Alberta: exam rooms and access

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/commercial/medical-clinic-layout-alberta
Updated: 2026-09-25

A medical clinic layout in Alberta has to fit the building code's own rules for physician clinics. As of September 2026, doorways on the barrier-free path to the clinic must be at least 915 mm (3 ft) clear, with power door operators, and the main waiting area needs a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning space ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.5](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). One exam room in five needs both the wider door and the turning space; the code sets no minimum exam room size.

## Key takeaways

- Every doorway on the barrier-free path to a physician clinic needs at least 915 mm (3 ft) of clear width, and every door on that path needs a power door operator ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.5.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- The main waiting area needs an open space at least 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) across for a wheelchair user to turn ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.5.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- One exam room in five, or part of five, needs a 915 mm door and a 1 700 mm turning space, so a clinic with six exam rooms needs two ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.5.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- A clinic that reprocesses instruments needs clean and dirty areas physically separated and two adjacent sinks big enough to submerge the largest item ([College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, 2022](https://cpsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Medical-Device-Requirements-for-Medical-Clinics.pdf), 2.2.1 and 2.2.2).
- In a medical office, one water closet can serve both sexes when the occupant load is 10 or fewer, and up to 25 people of each sex need one for each sex ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.7.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Calgary's 85 Medical Misc. permits in 2025 declared a median of $132,500, which sets the permit fee and understates the real cost ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

## What does Alberta's building code require in a physician clinic?

Subsection 3.8.5 of the National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition (second printing, in force since 17 August 2026) adds five rules to the barrier-free rules every commercial building gets. It covers physician clinics and offices whose services come from physicians registered with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta ([NBC(AE) 2023, Division A, 1.4.1.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

The subsection as a checklist:

| Where | What the code asks | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Doorways on the barrier-free path to the clinic | At least 915 mm (3 ft) clear with the door open | 3.8.5.2.(1) |
| Doors on that path | A power door operator that opens the door in the direction of travel | 3.8.5.2.(2) |
| Main waiting area | An open turning space at least 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) across | 3.8.5.2.(3) |
| Main reception area and at least one exam or treatment room | An assistive listening system | 3.8.5.2.(4) |
| One exam room in five, or part of five | A 915 mm doorway and a 1 700 mm turning space | 3.8.5.3.(1) |
| One treatment room in five, or part of five | The same doorway and turning space | 3.8.5.3.(2) |
| Those accessible rooms, if they have a sink | One accessible lavatory | 3.8.5.3 |

Note: Code minimums as of September 2026, not recommended sizes. The City of Calgary reviews your drawings against them.

Three differences matter before you sign a lease. Other barrier-free doorways need only 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.6](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The general power door rule skips a tenant's own suite door (Note A-3.8.2.7.(1)(b)), while the clinic rule covers every door on the path. And in a building of two storeys or fewer, a clinic above or below the entrance floor needs a barrier-free path where other tenants often don't ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

The general rules still apply. The barrier-free path is at least 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) wide (3.8.3.2; see [hallway widths](/room-sizes/hallway-width-alberta)), and a waiting room with 2 to 99 fixed seats needs 2 wheelchair spaces (Table 3.8.2.3). Unless those doors open automatically, their controls go clear of the door swing and within 1 500 mm (4 ft 11 in) of it (3.8.3.6), so leave wall space beside each door.

## How big should an exam room be?

Alberta sets no minimum size for a medical exam room. The code fixes only what one room in five must hold: a 915 mm (3 ft) doorway and a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) open turning space. Sizes quoted elsewhere are design choices, not Alberta rules.

The circle has to stay open, so furniture goes around it:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: What an accessible exam room must keep open. A 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning circle in a room 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) by 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in), with a 915 mm door.*

If that room has a sink, it must be an accessible lavatory: a rim no higher than 865 mm (2 ft 10 in), a clear floor space 800 mm (2 ft 7 in) by 1 350 mm (4 ft 5 in) in front, and its centre line at least 460 mm (1 ft 6 in) from a side wall ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.3.16](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). In a walk-in clinic, lay the waiting room chairs out around the 1 700 mm circle, not through it.

## How should a clinic plan its reprocessing area?

If you sterilize reusable instruments on site, the reprocessing area shapes the whole plan. The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) requires physicians in independently operated clinics to follow its device requirements, in effect since January 2022 ([CPSA device requirements, 2022](https://cpsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Medical-Device-Requirements-for-Medical-Clinics.pdf)). Services that need CPSA accreditation follow separate rules. Their section 2 matches Alberta Health's 2019 standards, which bind Alberta Health Services and its contractors and which Alberta Health recommends for private clinics ([Alberta Health device standards, 2019](https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/fd371ac2-b2be-49ac-93ef-43865a0bc0fb/resource/56c1cd3c-b617-4d91-947d-3e0e4a68cd09/download/health-reusable-single-use-medical-devices-standards.pdf)).

The layout rules in section 2, as of September 2026:

| Requirement | What it means for the plan | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| A designated reprocessing area | Apart from patient care and used only for reprocessing | 2.1 |
| Clean and dirty areas physically separated | Walls or partitions; spatial separation with one-way flow only in existing clinics that can't build them | 2.2.1 |
| Two adjacent sinks | Big enough to submerge the largest item; existing smaller clinics may use one sink and a rinsing basin | 2.2.2 |
| Hand hygiene stations | At every entrance and exit, and within the area | 2.2.3 |
| Cleanable surfaces | Intact, cut-resistant, non-porous and without seams | 2.2.4 |
| Restricted access | Limit who can enter the area | 2.2.5 |
| One-way workflow | Laid out so instruments move from dirty to clean | 2.2.6 |

Note: CPSA clause numbers, shared with Alberta Health's standards. Planning requirements, not a design; the CPSA's infection control program takes questions.

Two rules reach beyond the room. Used instruments travel in covered, leak-proof containers, apart from clean ones (CPSA 5.4 and 5.5), and reprocessed instruments can't be stored in open corridors, in patient rooms, on the floor or under sinks (9.1.4). Put the route from each exam room to the dirty side, and the clean shelf, on the first sketch.

Alberta Health also allows a way out: send reprocessing out or use single-use devices ([Alberta Health, 2019](https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/fd371ac2-b2be-49ac-93ef-43865a0bc0fb/resource/56c1cd3c-b617-4d91-947d-3e0e4a68cd09/download/health-reusable-single-use-medical-devices-standards.pdf)). Dental offices answer to a different college; see the [dental office layout guide](/commercial/dental-office-layout-alberta).

## How many washrooms does a medical clinic need?

The code counts water closets from the occupant load, and it gives medical offices as an example of a business and personal services occupancy, Group D ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-3.1.2.1.(1)](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

The occupant load is the number of people the clinic is designed for, but not less than Table 3.1.17.1 gives unless you can show fewer will use it ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.1.17.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The table has no row for clinics or waiting rooms. It lists offices at 9.30 m² (100 sq ft) per person and personal services shops at 4.60 m² (50 sq ft), and your designer picks the rate and shows it to the City.

Water closets then follow Table 3.7.2.2.-B, with the load split evenly between men and women unless you can show otherwise ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.7.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)):

| Occupant load | Water closets |
|---|---|
| 10 or fewer people in total | 1, shared by both sexes |
| 1 to 25 people of each sex | 1 for each sex |
| 26 to 50 people of each sex | 2 for each sex |
| Over 50 people of each sex | 3 for each sex, plus 1 for each further 50 |

Note: Code minimums as of September 2026. Your designer's occupant load decides which row applies.

Where washrooms are provided on a storey that needs a barrier-free path, one must be a universal washroom ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.8](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)) with its own 1 700 mm turning space (3.8.3.13). A room with one water closet needs a full-height door that locks from inside (3.7.2.2). The [barrier-free bathroom guide](/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta) covers the universal washroom in detail.

## What permits does a clinic fit-out need in Calgary?

Most clinic fit-outs need a building permit. As of September 2026, the City of Calgary asks for one when you alter walls, structural or not, or are the first tenant in a new building ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/commercial/alterations.html)). A change of business that changes the code classification or occupant load can need one even without construction. Painting and furniture alone need none. Each trade contractor pulls separate permits for electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC.

A development permit comes first if you change how the space is used, and the building permit waits for it. Medical offices appear on the City's permit form under personal service, office and business, and an architect or engineer may need to design and inspect the work. Alberta Health Services must review some businesses, and the City's examples, such as [restaurants](/commercial/restaurant-layout-calgary) and [daycares](/commercial/daycare-layout-alberta), don't include clinics.

Fees and timelines, as the City publishes them:

| Approval | Fee | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Development permit, permitted change of use | $190 | 5 business days |
| Development permit, discretionary use or with a relaxation | $594 plus $30 advertising ($624) | 10 to 12 weeks |
| Building permit, interior renovation | Set by construction value | 21 to 49 days |

Note: The City's figures as of September 2026, not quotes; timelines depend on how complete the application is. If the building makes barrier-free access hard, the City points you to Alberta Municipal Affairs for a relaxation.

## What did medical fit-outs in Calgary declare in 2025?

Here's what the three medical permit classes declared in 2025:

Medical fit-outs, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Medical, miscellaneous | 85 | $132,500 |
| Medical office | 33 | $80,000 |
| Clinic | 14 | $72,000 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Medical Misc. is the busiest class: 85 permits at a median of $132,500, against $80,000 for medical offices and $72,000 for clinics. A declared value is the applicant's own figure: it sets the permit fee and usually runs below what the work costs, so read these medians as a floor. Dental offices file under the same classes.

## Walk the patient path at full size before you build

At the studio, your plan is lit at full size on a walkable LED floor with room names and dimension lines. If your designer draws the turning circles, you can stand in the waiting room and see what they leave for chairs.

Walk the patient's route: entrance, reception, waiting area, accessible exam room. Then walk a used tray from an exam room to the dirty side and on to clean storage, and check it never doubles back. Freestanding walls and chairs stand in for partitions and seating, changes go onto the floor on the spot, and you keep the session recording for staff who couldn't come.

Send plans as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead; a clinic too big for the floor is walked a wing at a time. Commercial sessions are quoted by the size of the space ([get a quote](/pricing)). [Book a session](/book), or see how [architects and designers](/architects-and-designers) use the studio. More [commercial layout guides](/commercial) cover other businesses.

## Questions

### What is the minimum exam room size in Alberta?

Alberta sets no minimum floor area for a medical exam room, as of September 2026. The building code's only exam room rule covers one room in every five, or part of five. That room needs a doorway at least 915 mm (3 ft) clear and an open 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) circle for a wheelchair to turn in ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.5.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

### Do Alberta's physician clinic rules apply to a walk-in clinic?

A walk-in clinic where physicians registered with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta see patients falls within the wording of Subsection 3.8.5, which covers physician clinics and offices. The City of Calgary applies the code at permit review, so raise it early if your space mixes physicians with other providers.

### Does a medical clinic on the second floor need an elevator?

A physician clinic on a floor above or below the entrance needs a barrier-free path of travel in Alberta, even in a building of two storeys or fewer, where other tenants are often exempt ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Before you lease upstairs, check for an elevator or room for a lift.

### Do I need a separate reprocessing room in a medical clinic?

A physician clinic in Alberta that reprocesses reusable devices needs a designated reprocessing area, apart from patient care and used for nothing else, with clean and dirty areas physically separated ([CPSA, 2022](https://cpsa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Medical-Device-Requirements-for-Medical-Clinics.pdf), 2.1 and 2.2.1). Only existing clinics that can't build walls may use spatial separation instead.

Alberta Health's standards name two alternatives: sending reprocessing out, or using single-use devices.

---

## Minimum basement ceiling height in Alberta: suites and rooms

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/room-sizes/basement-ceiling-height-alberta
Updated: 2026-09-25

In Alberta, a basement suite needs ceilings at least 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) high, and at least 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) under beams and ducts ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). A basement without a suite follows the code's room table instead: 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) over part of each finished room, and 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in) of clear height where people walk in unfinished space. Both come from the National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, whose second printing has been in force since 17 August 2026.

## Key takeaways

- Ceilings in a secondary suite must be at least 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in), and clear height under beams and ducting at least 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Outside a suite, a finished room needs a 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) ceiling over the lesser of the room or a set area, such as 10.0 m² (108 sq ft) in a living room or 3.5 m² (38 sq ft) in a secondary bedroom ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- An unfinished basement needs 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in) of clear height under beams and wherever people normally walk ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Stairs serving a house, with or without a suite, need 1 950 mm (6 ft 5 in) of headroom, or 1 850 mm (6 ft 1 in) under beams and ducting in a suite ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- As of September 2026, the City of Calgary's suite page lists the same 1.95 m and 1.85 m, and lets doors inside a suite drop to 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)).
- If the basement is too low, OAF Construction's 2026 planning ranges are $3,000 to $8,000 for a bench footing and $15,000 to $35,000 for full underpinning ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)).

## What ceiling height does a basement suite need in Alberta?

At least 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in). The code's wording is short: "Ceiling heights in secondary suites shall be not less than 1.95 m." Under beams and ducting, the clear height can drop to 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The rule covers every secondary suite, in a basement or not.

Three details catch people out.

**Measure finished to finished.** Room heights are measured "between finished floor and ceiling surfaces" ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.1.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Flooring, underlay and drywall all come off the height you measure today from the slab to the joists.

**The 1.85 m is for beams and ducts only.** It doesn't lower the ceiling for the whole suite. The City of Calgary says heights "can be reduced to 1.85 m where ductwork and beams make drop ceilings necessary" ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)).

**Full height has to reach the door.** The part of a room that meets the minimum must be "contiguous with the entry or entries" ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). You can't reach the full-height part of a room only by ducking under a bulkhead.

Doors follow the ceiling down. In a suite built to the 1.95 m ceiling rule, doorways can be sized for doors 1 890 mm (6 ft 2 in) high instead of the usual 1 980 mm (6 ft 6 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Side by side in millimetres, the basement numbers are 1 950 mm for a suite ceiling, 1 850 mm under its beams, 2 100 mm over part of a room outside a suite, and 2 000 mm of clear height in unfinished space.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Basement heights at the same scale. Ceiling 1 950 mm (6 ft 5 in), 1 850 mm (6 ft 1 in) under a beam; rooms outside a suite 2 100 mm; unfinished basement, clear 2 000 mm.*

## What does "over the lesser of" mean in Table 9.5.3.1?

It means the 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) ceiling only has to cover part of a room: the whole room or the area in the table, whichever is smaller. A secondary bedroom larger than 3.5 m² (38 sq ft) needs 2.1 m over 3.5 m² of its floor, and the rest of its ceiling can be lower. A bedroom smaller than that needs 2.1 m over all of it. The area is measured at floor level ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

For a sense of scale, 3.5 m² is a square about 1 871 mm (6 ft 2 in) on a side. The table applies to homes, including basements developed without a suite. Inside a secondary suite, the 1.95 m rule replaces it.

Here's the table as printed in the second printing, as of September 2026:

| Room or space | Minimum height | Where the height applies |
|---|---|---|
| Living room or space | 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) | Lesser of the room or 10.0 m² (108 sq ft) |
| Dining room or space | 2.1 m | Lesser of the room or 5.2 m² (56 sq ft) |
| Kitchen or kitchen space | 2.1 m | Lesser of the room or 3.2 m² (34 sq ft) |
| Master bedroom or bedroom space | 2.1 m | Lesser of the room or 4.9 m² (53 sq ft) |
| Other bedroom or sleeping space | 2.1 m | Lesser of the room or 3.5 m² (38 sq ft) |
| Bathroom, water-closet room or laundry above grade | 2.1 m | Lesser of the room or 2.2 m² (24 sq ft) |
| Other habitable rooms and spaces | 2.1 m | Lesser of the room or 2.2 m² (24 sq ft) |
| Passage, hall or main entrance vestibule | 2.1 m | The whole area |
| Unfinished basement, including its laundry area | 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in) clear height | Under beams and wherever people normally walk |

Note: these are code minimums, not recommended heights; inside a secondary suite, 1.95 m and 1.85 m apply instead.

The code's "master bedroom" is the main or primary bedroom. For ceilings, the only difference from other bedrooms is the larger area: 4.9 m² against 3.5 m². The [bedroom size guide](/room-sizes/bedroom-size-alberta) covers the rest of what a bedroom needs.

## How much headroom does an unfinished basement need?

2.0 m (6 ft 7 in) of clear height, under beams and "in any location that would normally be used for passage" ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). In practice, that's the path to the furnace, the laundry and the storage shelves.

The row sets a clear height only, with no ceiling height, so away from walking routes the code is silent. It matters when you finish part of a basement and leave the rest: the finished rooms follow the table or the suite rules, and the unfinished part follows this row.

## How much headroom do basement stairs need?

1 950 mm (6 ft 5 in) for stairs serving a house or a house with a secondary suite, and 1 850 mm (6 ft 1 in) where stairs sit under beams and ducting in a suite. Other stairs need 2 050 mm (6 ft 9 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Headroom is measured straight up from a line joining the nosings (the front edges of the treads and landings) to the lowest point above, across the stair's clear width. A duct or a beam crossing the stair counts. The [stairs guide](/room-sizes/stairs-alberta) has the rise, run and handrail numbers.

## What does the City of Calgary ask for in a basement suite?

Every suite needs a building permit, and the City's page for new suites spells out the height rules in plain terms. These are the items on it that involve height or clearance, as of September 2026 ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)):

| Item | What the City's page says | In feet and inches |
|---|---|---|
| Suite ceilings | At least 1.95 m, floor to ceiling | 6 ft 5 in |
| Under ducts and beams | Can be reduced to 1.85 m | 6 ft 1 in |
| Doors inside the suite | May be reduced to 1.89 m where required | 6 ft 2 in |
| Exit doors | At least 810 mm wide and 1.89 m high | 2 ft 8 in by 6 ft 2 in |
| Exit stair | At least 860 mm wide, with at least one handrail | 2 ft 10 in |
| Stair landings | At the top and bottom, at least 860 mm long | 2 ft 10 in |

Note: this is the City's plain-language summary; the code text governs, and the City's plans examiners and inspectors decide.

The same page asks for an egress window in every bedroom, covered in the [egress window guide](/room-sizes/egress-window-alberta). For permits, costs and the layout mistakes that cost the most, see the [legal basement suite guide](/blog/legal-basement-suite-calgary).

## What if your basement ceiling is too low?

Measure first. If the finished height comes out short, OAF Construction, a Calgary builder, says structural work such as underpinning or benching "may be considered" ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)). Its 2026 planning ranges:

- A bench footing, which lowers part of the floor: $3,000 to $8,000.
- Full underpinning: $15,000 to $35,000.

OAF adds that the method depends on your plans, foundation and site, and advises measuring and confirming before you treat underpinning as a budget line. Neither range is a quote.

Ducts and beams are the other lever. The 1.85 m allowance applies only under them, so their route decides where the low ceilings land. Running ducts over a hallway or a bathroom keeps the bulkheads out of the living room and bedrooms.

The Calgary communities with the most basement development permits since 2023, from the City's permit data:

Calgary communities with the most basement developments, permits issued 2023 to 29 September 2026:

| Rank | Community | Sector | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mahogany | Southeast | 329 | $32,169 |
| 2 | Cornerstone | Northeast | 276 | $33,460 |
| 3 | Cranston | Southeast | 248 | $30,907 |
| 4 | Evanston | North | 239 | $30,783 |
| 5 | Legacy | South | 211 | $33,460 |
| 6 | Auburn Bay | Southeast | 207 | $30,735 |
| 7 | Saddle Ridge | Northeast | 195 | $33,460 |
| 8 | Livingston | North | 163 | $31,405 |
| 9 | Walden | South | 159 | $29,158 |
| 10 | Carrington | North | 143 | $29,349 |

Among the 97 communities with a page on this site. Declared value is what the applicant wrote on the permit application. It is not a quote and runs below real costs. Medians are shown only where a category has at least 5 permits. Source: City of Calgary open data (building permits, development permits, secondary suite registry, census 2021 population, census 2021 households, civic census 2019, land use districts), retrieved 5 October 2026.

## Where a full-size walkthrough fits

A floor shows the plan, not the ceiling, so the useful part here is where the low spots land. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, room by room, with room names and dimension lines. Mark bulkheads and beams on the plan, and you can walk the bedroom, the stair and the route to the laundry and see what sits under them. Elevations go up on a wall-size screen behind the floor.

You can move freestanding walls, sofas and a dining table into place, make changes on the spot and keep the recording of the session. Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). Send your plan as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead. See [renovations and suites](/renovations), the other [room size guides](/room-sizes), or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### What is the minimum ceiling height for a basement suite in Alberta?

A basement suite in Alberta needs ceilings at least 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) high, and at least 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) of clear height under beams and ducting, as of September 2026 ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The City of Calgary lists the same numbers for basement suites.

### What ceiling height does a basement bedroom need?

A basement bedroom in a house without a suite needs a 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) ceiling over the lesser of the room or 3.5 m² (38 sq ft), or 4.9 m² (53 sq ft) for the room the code calls the master bedroom ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

In a secondary suite, the bedroom follows the suite rule of 1.95 m instead. Either way, it also needs an egress window.

### Is a 7 ft basement ceiling high enough in Alberta?

A finished basement ceiling of 7 ft (2 134 mm) is above both of Alberta's numbers: the 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) the room table asks for outside a suite, and the 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) for a suite. Measure it from the finished floor to the finished ceiling, and check the height under beams and ducts separately.

### How much headroom do basement stairs need in Alberta?

Basement stairs in a house need at least 1 950 mm (6 ft 5 in) of headroom, measured straight up from the line of the nosings. In a secondary suite, that can drop to 1 850 mm (6 ft 1 in) under beams and ducting ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

### What ceiling height does an unfinished basement need?

An unfinished basement in Alberta needs 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in) of clear height under beams and anywhere people normally walk ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The code sets no other height for unfinished space.

### How much does it cost to lower a basement floor in Calgary?

Lowering a basement floor in Calgary runs $15,000 to $35,000 for full underpinning in OAF Construction's 2026 planning ranges, or $3,000 to $8,000 for a bench footing that lowers part of the floor ([OAF Construction, 2026](https://www.oafconstruction.ca/article/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-a-basement-in-calgary/)). They're planning ranges, not quotes.

---

## Minimum bedroom size in Alberta: code rules and bed sizes

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/room-sizes/bedroom-size-alberta
Updated: 2026-09-25

Alberta's building code sets no minimum floor area for a bedroom. The National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, in the second printing in force since 17 August 2026, sets a 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) ceiling over part of the room and an escape window that opens to at least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft) instead ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1 and 9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The size of the room comes down to the bed: the Canadian mattress company Endy lists a queen at 60 by 80 in and a king at 76 by 80 in ([Endy, 2023](https://www.endy.com/blog/article/mattress-size-guide)).

## Key takeaways

- As of September 2026, the NBC(AE) 2023 sets no minimum floor area for a bedroom; a bedroom needs a 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) ceiling over the lesser of the room or 3.5 m² (38 sq ft) ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- The room the code calls the master bedroom needs that 2.1 m ceiling over the lesser of the room or 4.9 m² (53 sq ft) ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Unless the home is sprinklered, each bedroom needs a window or outside door that opens to at least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft), with no side under 380 mm (1 ft 3 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Endy lists a queen mattress at 1 524 by 2 032 mm (60 by 80 in) and a king at 1 930 by 2 032 mm (76 by 80 in), and suggests at least a 10 by 10 ft room for a queen and 10 by 12 ft for a king ([Endy, 2023](https://www.endy.com/blog/article/mattress-size-guide)).
- By arithmetic on Endy's mattress and room sizes, a centred queen has 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) free on each side in a 10 ft square room, a king on the 12 ft wall has 864 mm (2 ft 10 in), and both have 1 016 mm (3 ft 4 in) past the end of the bed ([Endy, 2023](https://www.endy.com/blog/article/mattress-size-guide)).
- For its accessibility top-up of up to $7,500, Calgary's secondary suite incentive asks for a bedroom with no measurement under 3 m (9 ft 10 in) and a 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) turning diameter ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html)).

## Is there a minimum bedroom size in Alberta?

No. The code's section on rooms and spaces sets ceiling heights, hallway widths and doorway sizes, but no floor area for a bedroom or any other room in a home. It regulates a bedroom in other ways: the ceiling over part of the floor, a way out through a window or door, the doorway and the alarms.

Here's what the NBC(AE) 2023 does set for a bedroom, as of September 2026:

| Item | Code minimum | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Floor area | None set | None |
| Ceiling, master bedroom | 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) over the lesser of the room or 4.9 m² (53 sq ft) | Table 9.5.3.1 |
| Ceiling, other bedrooms | 2.1 m over the lesser of the room or 3.5 m² (38 sq ft) | Table 9.5.3.1 |
| Ceiling in a secondary suite | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in), or 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) under beams and ducts | 9.5.3.1 |
| Escape window or door | Opens to 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft), no side under 380 mm (1 ft 3 in), unless sprinklered | 9.9.10.1 |
| Doorway | Fits a door 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) wide and 1 980 mm (6 ft 6 in) high | Table 9.5.5.1 |
| Smoke alarm | One in each sleeping room | 9.10.19.3 |
| Closet | None required | None |

Note: these are code minimums, not recommended sizes; the City of Calgary checks them when it reviews permit drawings.

The doorway can drop to 610 mm (2 ft) for rooms off a hallway that's allowed to be 710 mm wide, covered in the [hallway width guide](/room-sizes/hallway-width-alberta). Where the home has a fuel-burning appliance, a carbon monoxide alarm goes inside each bedroom or within 5 m (16 ft 5 in) of its door ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.32.3.9](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

## What does "over the lesser of 3.5 m²" mean for a bedroom?

It means a sloped or partly low ceiling is fine, as long as enough floor has 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) above it. In a bedroom bigger than 3.5 m² (38 sq ft), that's 3.5 m² of floor, a square about 1 871 mm (6 ft 2 in) on a side. In the main bedroom it's 4.9 m² (53 sq ft), about 2 214 mm (7 ft 3 in) square. A smaller room needs the height over all of it.

The full-height area has to connect to the door ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)), and it's measured at floor level. This matters in attic bedrooms under a sloped roof and in basement bedrooms with bulkheads. A bedroom inside a secondary suite follows the suite's ceiling rule instead, covered in the [basement ceiling height guide](/room-sizes/basement-ceiling-height-alberta).

## What window does a bedroom need?

A window or an outside door that opens from inside "without the use of keys, tools or special knowledge", with an opening of at least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft) and no side under 380 mm (1 ft 3 in). The window has to stay open in an emergency without being propped. In a window well, 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) must stay clear in front of it ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The one exception is a sprinklered home.

Both numbers have to hold at once. The code's own note shows that a 380 by 380 mm opening is only 0.144 m², while openings of 380 by 920 mm or 592 by 592 mm reach 0.35 m² ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-9.9.10.1.(2)](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Calgary's suite page adds that a casement window "must swing open a full 90 degrees" ([Calgary new suite page, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)).

The window affects where the bed goes. The code sets no maximum sill height, but its note recommends sills no higher than 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) and suggests built-in furniture under a higher window ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-9.9.10.1.(1)](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). In a basement, the escape window or door must be in the bedroom itself. The [egress window guide](/room-sizes/egress-window-alberta) covers window wells and window types.

## What size room do you need for a queen or a king bed?

For a queen, Endy suggests a room of at least 10 by 10 ft; for a king, 10 by 12 ft. It calls the queen "the most popular mattress size in Canada" ([Endy, 2023](https://www.endy.com/blog/article/mattress-size-guide)). Endy's guide, published 17 January 2023, gives these sizes:

| Mattress | Size | Smallest room Endy recommends |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 991 by 1 905 mm (39 by 75 in) | 2 134 by 3 048 mm (7 by 10 ft) |
| Queen | 1 524 by 2 032 mm (60 by 80 in) | 3 048 by 3 048 mm (10 by 10 ft) |
| King | 1 930 by 2 032 mm (76 by 80 in) | 3 048 by 3 658 mm (10 by 12 ft) |
| California king | 1 829 by 2 134 mm (72 by 84 in) | 3 658 by 3 658 mm (12 by 12 ft) |

Note: these are mattress sizes and a retailer's room suggestions, not code rules; a frame and headboard add to the footprint.

That 10 by 10 ft room is 100 sq ft (9.29 m²), which matches Endy's advice that a queen suits bedrooms of "100 square feet or larger". A 10 by 12 ft room is 120 sq ft (11.15 m²).

## How much space do you need around a bed?

There's no code clearance around a bed, so the useful numbers are what a room leaves. Centred in the smallest rooms Endy suggests, the mattresses have this much space around them, before a frame, headboard, nightstands or dresser take their share.

A queen in a 3 048 mm (10 ft) square room leaves 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) on each side and 1 016 mm (3 ft 4 in) at the foot:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: A queen bed in a 10 by 10 ft room. A room 3 048 mm (10 ft) by 3 048 mm (10 ft) with Queen mattress 1 524 mm by 2 032 mm; clearances 762 mm, 762 mm, 1 016 mm.*

A king on the 12 ft wall of a 3 658 by 3 048 mm (12 by 10 ft) room has 864 mm (2 ft 10 in) on each side and the same 1 016 mm past the end of the bed. Put the headboard on a 10 ft wall instead, and the sides shrink to 559 mm (1 ft 10 in), with 1 626 mm (5 ft 4 in) at the foot.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: A king bed in a 10 by 12 ft room. A room 3 658 mm (12 ft) by 3 048 mm (10 ft) with King mattress 1 930 mm by 2 032 mm; clearances 864 mm, 864 mm, 1 016 mm.*

For someone who uses a wheelchair, the numbers change. To qualify for its accessibility money, Calgary's secondary suite incentive asks for "a bedroom with no measurement smaller than 3 m" and a 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) turning diameter in the bedroom ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html)). New applications have gone on a waitlist since 24 June 2026, but the standard is a useful Calgary benchmark. By arithmetic, a queen against one wall of a 3 m (9 ft 10 in) wide room leaves 1 476 mm (4 ft 10 in) beside it, just short of 1.5 m. The province's accessibility guide shows a 1 500 mm turning space beside the bed in its accessible hotel room layout ([Alberta Municipal Affairs, 2024](https://open.alberta.ca/publications/accessibility-design-guide)). The [barrier-free bathroom guide](/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta) covers the rest of an accessible suite.

## Where a full-size walkthrough fits

In a bedroom, the plan's numbers decide small daily things, like reaching both sides of the bed or opening a dresser drawer past the frame. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, room by room, with room names and dimension lines, so you can stand where the bed goes.

The studio's pieces don't include a bed, so draw yours on the plan at its real size. Then walk the checks: reach both sides of the bed from the door, open the closet and the dresser with the bed in place, and get to the escape window. Freestanding walls can be moved to try a different wall position, changes go up on the floor on the spot, and you keep the session recording.

Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). See [how the studio helps homeowners](/homeowners), the other [room size guides](/room-sizes), or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### What is the minimum bedroom size in Alberta?

Alberta's building code sets no minimum bedroom size, as of September 2026. The NBC(AE) 2023 regulates a bedroom's ceiling height over part of the floor, its escape window, its doorway and its smoke alarm instead ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

### What size room do you need for a king bed?

For a king bed, the Canadian mattress company Endy suggests a room of at least 10 by 12 ft (3 048 by 3 658 mm). A king mattress is 76 by 80 in (1 930 by 2 032 mm), so centred on the 12 ft wall it leaves 864 mm (2 ft 10 in) on each side and 1 016 mm (3 ft 4 in) at the foot, before the frame.

### How big should a primary bedroom be?

The NBC(AE) 2023 sets no size for a primary bedroom. The only rule for the room the code calls the master bedroom is a 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) ceiling over the lesser of the room or 4.9 m² (53 sq ft), where other bedrooms need 3.5 m² ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Size it around the bed and the furniture you'll use. For a king, Endy suggests no less than 10 by 12 ft.

### Does a bedroom need a closet in Alberta?

No. The NBC(AE) 2023 doesn't require a closet in a bedroom. The code mentions walk-in closets only to size their doorway, which must fit a door 610 mm (2 ft) wide ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

### Does a basement bedroom need a window in Alberta?

Yes, unless the home is sprinklered. Every basement bedroom needs its own escape window or outside door, opening to at least 0.35 m² (3.8 sq ft) with no side under 380 mm (1 ft 3 in), and the escape route can't pass through another room ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.9.10.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

### What ceiling height does a bedroom need in Alberta?

A bedroom in Alberta needs a 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) ceiling over the lesser of the room or 3.5 m² (38 sq ft), or 4.9 m² (53 sq ft) in the master bedroom ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). A bedroom in a secondary suite follows the suite rule: 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in), and 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) under beams and ducts.

---

## Minimum hallway width in Alberta: 860 mm, plus door widths

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/room-sizes/hallway-width-alberta
Updated: 2026-09-25

In Alberta, a hallway inside a home must have an unobstructed width of at least 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.4.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). It can drop to 710 mm (2 ft 4 in) only where it leads to nothing but bedrooms and bathrooms and a second exit sits at its far end or in each bedroom. Both rules are in the second printing of the National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, in force since 17 August 2026 ([Government of Alberta, 2026](https://www.alberta.ca/building-codes-and-standards)).

## Key takeaways

- As of September 2026, a hallway inside a home in Alberta must be at least 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) wide ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.4.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- A hallway can be 710 mm (2 ft 4 in) wide only if its far end serves just bedrooms and bathrooms and a second exit is provided near that end or in each bedroom ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.4.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Most doorways in a home must fit a 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) door, the required entrance an 810 mm (2 ft 8 in) door, and bathrooms and walk-in closets a 610 mm (2 ft) door ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Where an 860 mm hallway serves a bathroom, at least one doorway off it must fit a 760 mm door ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.5.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- The 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) barrier-free path is for buildings other than houses, because the code's accessibility section excludes houses, duplexes and row houses ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- The code sets no comfort or passing width for a home, but Calgary's suite incentive asks for a 920 mm (3 ft) path of travel in suites it funds as accessible ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html)).

## What is the minimum hallway width in Alberta?

A hallway in a home must be at least 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) wide in Alberta. The rule covers every hallway within a dwelling unit, which takes in a house, an apartment and a secondary suite, since the code defines a secondary suite as a self-contained dwelling unit ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.4.1 and Division A, 1.4.1.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

The number is the unobstructed width, the clear space you walk through. At least one stair between floors of a home has the same 860 mm minimum ([see the stair rules](/room-sizes/stairs-alberta)).

Here's how the hallway minimum compares with the other widths the code and the City of Calgary set for walking routes, as of September 2026:

| Where | Minimum width | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hallway in a home, narrow case | 710 mm (2 ft 4 in) | [NBC(AE) 9.5.4.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Hallway in a home | 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) | [NBC(AE) 9.5.4.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| At least one stair between floors of a home | 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) | [NBC(AE) 9.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Path of travel in a suite funded as accessible by the City | 920 mm (3 ft) | [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html) |
| Barrier-free path, buildings other than houses | 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) | [NBC(AE) 3.8.3.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Public corridor, such as in a small apartment building | 1 100 mm (3 ft 7 in) | [NBC(AE) 9.9.3.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Widening on a barrier-free path longer than 24 m, at least every 24 m | 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) | [NBC(AE) 3.8.3.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |

Note: code and City minimums, not recommended sizes, and only the first three rows are code rules for a house. Confirm with the City of Calgary before you build.

## When can a hallway be 710 mm wide?

Only in one case. Sentence 9.5.4.1.(1) allows a 710 mm (2 ft 4 in) hallway when both of these hold ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.4.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)):

- the end of the hallway farthest from the living area has only bedrooms and bathrooms, and
- a second exit is provided, either in the hallway near that far end or in each bedroom the hallway serves.

Rooms off a hallway that uses this exception can have 610 mm (2 ft) doors. The 760 mm bathroom door rule only applies to hallways 860 mm or wider, so it doesn't reach a 710 mm hallway ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.5.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

"Exit" is a defined term in the code: the part of a way out, doorways included, that leads from the floor to a street, another building or protected open space outside ([NBC(AE) 2023, Division A, 1.4.1.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Bedroom escape windows are a separate rule ([egress windows](/room-sizes/egress-window-alberta)). Ask the City of Calgary what it will accept as the second exit before you draw a 710 mm hallway.

## How wide do doors have to be in Alberta?

For most rooms in a home, the doorway must fit a door at least 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) wide and 1 980 mm (6 ft 6 in) high. Table 9.5.5.1 sizes the door the opening has to take, so the clear gap you walk through is narrower once the open door sits in the frame.

These are the door sizes for homes, with two rules from outside houses for comparison, as of September 2026:

| Doorway | Door it must fit, or clear width | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Required entrance, vestibule or entrance hall | 810 mm by 1 980 mm (2 ft 8 in by 6 ft 6 in) | [Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Stairs to a finished floor, one line of doors from outside to the basement, utility rooms | 810 mm by 1 980 mm | [Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Bedrooms, other rooms not listed, exterior balconies | 760 mm by 1 980 mm (2 ft 6 in by 6 ft 6 in) | [Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Bathroom, toilet room, shower room, walk-in closet | 610 mm by 1 980 mm (2 ft by 6 ft 6 in) | [Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Rooms off a 710 mm hallway | 610 mm by 1 980 mm | [Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| At least one bathroom doorway off an 860 mm hallway | 760 mm wide | [9.5.5.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Doors inside a secondary suite with 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) ceilings | 1 890 mm (6 ft 2 in) high | [9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Exit door in a small apartment or commercial building | 800 mm (2 ft 7 in) clear | [9.9.6.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Barrier-free doorway, buildings other than houses | 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) clear, door open | [3.8.3.6](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |

Note: minimums, not recommended sizes. The house rows size the door, while the last two rows are clear openings. Confirm with the City of Calgary before you build.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Door widths in the Alberta code. Bathroom, closet: 610 mm (2 ft); Most rooms: 760 mm (2 ft 6 in); Entrance: 810 mm (2 ft 8 in); Barrier-free clear: 850 mm (2 ft 9 in)*

The bathroom rule needs a closer read. Where a hallway at least 860 mm wide serves rooms with a bathtub, shower or toilet, at least one doorway off it must fit a 760 mm door and give access to one of each of those fixtures ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.5.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The code's note says the aim is "a certain degree of barrier-free access" to a typical bathroom. So a powder room can keep a 610 mm door, as long as the full bathroom off the same hallway gets the wider one.

In a secondary suite, the City of Calgary lets doors drop to 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) high where required ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)). That goes with the lower suite ceiling covered in the [basement ceiling height guide](/room-sizes/basement-ceiling-height-alberta).

## Does the code set a hallway width for a wheelchair in a house?

No. Section 3.8, the accessibility section, doesn't apply to detached houses, semi-detached houses, houses with a secondary suite, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses or row houses ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Inside those homes, the 860 mm hallway and the Table 9.5.5.1 doors are the only widths the code sets.

Where Section 3.8 does apply, it gives useful reference numbers:

- a barrier-free path at least 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) wide, which may pinch to 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) for no more than 600 mm (2 ft) of length, with level space at each end ([3.8.3.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en));
- doorways with 850 mm clear when the door is open ([3.8.3.6](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en));
- in adaptable dwelling units, a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning diameter in entryways, kitchens, washrooms and laundry rooms, and 850 mm clear doorways ([3.8.4.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Alberta adds its own rule: residential projects of 10 or more units funded in whole or in part by the Government of Alberta must make 1 in every 10 units adaptable ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.1.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

In Calgary, the Secondary Suite Incentive Program sets its own standard for its accessibility top-up of up to $7,500: a 920 mm (3 ft) path of travel throughout, 850 mm doorways fully open and a 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) turning diameter in the living area, kitchen and bedroom ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html)). New applications have gone on a waitlist since 24 June 2026. For bathrooms, see the [barrier-free bathroom guide](/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta).

## Is 860 mm comfortable, or only legal?

The code doesn't say. It sets minimums and stops there, with no comfort width, no width for two people passing and no allowance for moving furniture through a home. Anything wider than 860 mm is a design choice you make with your designer.

This drawing puts the widths from the table side by side at the same scale:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Hallway widths at the same scale. Narrow case: 710 mm (2 ft 4 in); House minimum: 860 mm (2 ft 10 in); City suite path: 920 mm (3 ft); Barrier-free: 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in); Public corridor: 1 100 mm (3 ft 7 in)*

The gap between the house minimum and the barrier-free path is 140 mm (5.5 in). Whether that matters depends on who lives there, what they carry and what furniture has to turn through the doors. For other rooms, see the [room size guides](/room-sizes).

## What does a full-size walkthrough show in a hallway?

At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is shown at full size on a walkable LED floor, lit from inside the floor, with room names and dimension lines. You can walk a hallway at its drawn width with another person and see whether you can pass without one of you stopping.

The studio's movable pieces include freestanding walls and sofas. You can stand walls on the hallway lines and set a sofa at a bedroom door to see how much room the turn leaves. Changes are made on the spot and shown on the floor right away, and every session is recorded for you to keep.

A standard session is two hours. Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). Send your plans as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead. Read [how a session works](/how-it-works) or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### What is the minimum hallway width in Alberta?

In Alberta, a hallway inside a home must be at least 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) wide, as of September 2026. The rule is Sentence 9.5.4.1.(1) of the National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, and it covers houses, apartments and secondary suites.

### Is a 36-inch hallway wide enough in Alberta?

Yes, a 914 mm (3 ft) hallway is wider than Alberta's 860 mm minimum for a hallway in a home. It's narrower than the 1 000 mm barrier-free path the code sets outside houses, and 6 mm short of the 920 mm path the City of Calgary asks for in suites it funds as accessible.

### Can a hallway be narrower than 860 mm in Alberta?

Yes, an Alberta hallway can be 710 mm (2 ft 4 in) wide in one case: only bedrooms and bathrooms sit at its end farthest from the living area, and a second exit is provided near that end or in each bedroom it serves. Rooms off that hallway can have 610 mm doors.

### How wide should a hallway be for a wheelchair in a house?

The Alberta code sets no wheelchair width for hallways in houses, because its accessibility section excludes houses, duplexes and row houses. For reference, a barrier-free path in other buildings must be 1 000 mm wide with 850 mm clear doorways.

In Calgary, the City's accessible-suite standard asks for a 920 mm path of travel, 850 mm doorways and a 1.5 m turning diameter. Walk the turns with the person who'll use them before you settle the width.

### What is the minimum interior door width in Alberta?

In Alberta, most interior doorways in a home must fit a door at least 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) wide and 1 980 mm (6 ft 6 in) high. Bathrooms and walk-in closets can take a 610 mm (2 ft) door, but where an 860 mm hallway serves a bathroom, at least one doorway off it must fit a 760 mm door.

### Do hallways in a basement suite follow the same rule?

Yes, hallways in a basement suite follow the same Alberta rule, because the code treats a secondary suite as a dwelling unit. The 860 mm minimum applies, or 710 mm in the narrow case. Doors inside a suite with the 1.95 m suite ceiling can be 1 890 mm (6 ft 2 in) high instead of 1 980 mm.

---

## Office layout in Calgary: exits, corridors and washrooms

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/commercial/office-layout-calgary
Updated: 2026-10-05

An office layout in Calgary answers to the building code, not to any office-specific rule. As of October 2026, the National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition counts an office at 9.30 m² (100 sq ft) per person, asks for a second egress door once a suite passes 200 m² (2,153 sq ft), or 300 m² (3,229 sq ft) if sprinklered, and keeps corridors used by the public at least 1 100 mm (3 ft 7 in) wide ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.1.17.1, 3.3.1.5 and 3.3.1.9](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Alberta sets no minimum office or workstation size.

## Key takeaways

- The code counts offices at 9.30 m² (100 sq ft) per person, so a 186 m² (2,002 sq ft) office counts as 20 people ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 3.1.17.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- An office suite in a floor area without sprinklers needs two egress doorways once it passes 200 m² (2,153 sq ft) or 25 m (82 ft) of travel to the door, and the two doors must sit at least a third of the suite's longest diagonal apart ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.3.1.5](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- A corridor used by the public must keep at least 1 100 mm (3 ft 7 in) clear, and the barrier-free path through the office at least 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in), with doorways of at least 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.3.1.9, 3.8.3.2 and 3.8.3.6](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- An office with 10 or fewer people can share one water closet, and up to 25 people of each sex need one for each sex ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.7.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Calgary's 478 office improvement permits in 2025 declared a median of $175,000, a figure that sets the permit fee and runs below real costs ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)).

## How many people does the code count in an office?

The occupant load sets your exit doors and washroom counts. It's the number of people the space is designed for, but not less than Table 3.1.17.1 gives, unless you can show fewer people will use it ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.1.17.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The code lists offices as Group D, business and personal services (Note A-3.1.2.1.(1)).

The table works by use, so one office can draw on several rows:

| Use | Area per person | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Offices | 9.30 m² (100 sq ft) | Table 3.1.17.1 |
| Space with non-fixed seats and tables | 0.95 m² (10.2 sq ft) | Table 3.1.17.1 |
| Reading or writing rooms or lounges | 1.85 m² (19.9 sq ft) | Table 3.1.17.1 |
| Kitchens | 9.30 m² (100 sq ft) | Table 3.1.17.1 |
| Storage | 46.00 m² (495 sq ft) | Table 3.1.17.1 |

Note: Rates for counting people, not space allowances, as of October 2026. Your designer picks the rate for each part of the floor and shows it to the City of Calgary.

A room used for different things at different times takes the rate giving the most people (3.1.17.1.(4)). Design for fewer people than the table gives and the code requires a permanent sign posting that load (3.1.17.1.(2)). Design for more, with tightly packed desks, and your higher number becomes the occupant load.

## When does an office suite need two egress doors?

A suite or room needs a second egress doorway once it crosses the limits in Article 3.3.1.5, as of October 2026 ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.3.1.5](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). For an office:

| Situation | One egress door is enough up to | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Floor area not sprinklered throughout | 200 m² (2,153 sq ft) and 25 m (82 ft) of travel to the door | Table 3.3.1.5.-A |
| Floor area sprinklered throughout | 300 m² (3,229 sq ft) and 25 m (82 ft) of travel to the door | 3.3.1.5.(1)(d), Table 3.3.1.5.-B |
| Any floor area | An occupant load of 60, which at 9.30 m² per person is 558 m² (6,006 sq ft) | 3.3.1.5.(1)(b) |

Note: Code limits as of October 2026. Past them, the suite needs at least two egress doorways.

Where two are needed, they must be at least one third of the area's maximum diagonal apart, measured as the shortest path smoke would take between them (3.3.1.5.(2)). A 20 m by 15 m (65 ft 7 in by 49 ft 3 in) suite of 300 m² has a 25 m diagonal, so its doors need 8 333 mm (27 ft 4 in) between them. Without sprinklers, that suite is over the 200 m² limit and needs both.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Two egress doors in a 300 m² office suite. A room 20 000 mm (65 ft 7 in) by 15 000 mm (49 ft 3 in) with Door 850 mm by 300 mm, Door 850 mm by 300 mm; clearances 25 000 mm diagonal, 8 333 mm minimum.*

Over 60 people, doors from the room into a corridor must also swing toward the exit (3.3.1.11.(2)). If you lease a whole floor, it needs two exits unless the building has 2 storeys or fewer and the floor stays within the same area, travel and 60-person limits, and one exit must then be within 40 m (131 ft) of travel, or 45 m (148 ft) when sprinklered ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.4.2.1 and 3.4.2.5](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

## How wide do office corridors and doors have to be?

Three numbers set most office widths: 1 100 mm, 1 000 mm and 850 mm. Section 3.8 applies to every building except houses and a few other types, and it requires a barrier-free path throughout the entrance storey and all other normally occupied floor areas ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.1 and 3.8.2.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

The widths that shape an office plan:

| Element | Minimum | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Public corridor, or a corridor used by the public | 1 100 mm (3 ft 7 in) unobstructed | 3.3.1.9.(1), (2) |
| Barrier-free path of travel | 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in); 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) allowed for up to 600 mm (2 ft) of length | 3.8.3.2.(1), (2) |
| Barrier-free path longer than 24 m (78 ft 9 in) | A 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) wide section, 1 700 mm long, at least every 24 m | 3.8.3.2.(5) |
| Doorway on the barrier-free path | 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) clear with the door open | 3.8.3.6.(2) |
| Latch-side space at a swinging door without a power operator | 600 mm (2 ft) on the pull side, 300 mm (11.8 in) on the push side | 3.8.3.6.(11) |
| Dead-end corridor outside a suite | No longer than 6 m (19 ft 8 in) | 3.3.1.9.(5) |

Note: Code minimums as of October 2026, not recommended sizes. The City of Calgary checks them at permit, and a relaxation of barrier-free rules goes to Alberta Municipal Affairs.

At the same scale:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: Office widths at the same scale. Doorway on the barrier-free path: 850 mm (2 ft 9 in); Barrier-free path: 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in); Corridor used by the public: 1 100 mm (3 ft 7 in); Widened section every 24 m: 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in)*

Exit width by head count adds little: at 6.1 mm per person for doorways and corridors (3.4.3.2.(1)(a)), even 100 people need only 610 mm, well under the fixed minimums.

If you have a reception counter, one section must be no higher than 865 mm (2 ft 10 in) and at least 800 mm (2 ft 7 in) long (3.8.2.11 and 3.8.3.20). Your own suite door doesn't need a power door operator (Note A-3.8.2.7.(1)(b)). The [hallway width guide](/room-sizes/hallway-width-alberta) covers paths in more detail.

## How many washrooms does an office need?

Water closets follow Table 3.7.2.2.-B, with the occupant load split evenly between men and women unless you can show otherwise ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.7.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). At the office rate:

| Office floor area | Occupant load at 9.30 m² | Water closets |
|---|---|---|
| 93 m² (1,001 sq ft) or less | 10 or fewer | 1, shared by both sexes |
| 186 m² (2,002 sq ft) | 20 | 1 for each sex |
| 465 m² (5,005 sq ft) | 50 | 1 for each sex |
| 558 m² (6,006 sq ft) | 60 | 2 for each sex |
| 930 m² (10,010 sq ft) | 100 | 2 for each sex |

Note: Code minimums as of October 2026. Over 50 people of each sex, the table asks for 3 for each sex, plus 1 for each further 50.

Where washrooms are provided on a storey that needs a barrier-free path, one must be a universal washroom with a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning space (3.8.2.8 and 3.8.3.13). A room with one water closet needs a full-height door that locks from inside (3.7.2.2.(15)). In a building with a floor area over 600 m² (6,458 sq ft) and business or retail tenants, water closets must be open to the public whenever the building is occupied (3.7.2.2.(13)). The [barrier-free bathroom guide](/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta) covers the universal washroom.

## Does your building fall under Part 3 or Part 9?

Buildings of 3 storeys or less with a building area of 600 m² (6,458 sq ft) or less fall under Part 9 rather than Part 3 ([NBC(AE) 2023, Division A, 1.3.3.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). For an office tenant the key numbers match: Part 9 uses the same 200 m² and 25 m limit for a single egress door (Table 9.9.7.4), the same 40 m travel distance (9.9.8.2) and 1 100 mm corridors (9.9.3.3). Section 3.8 still applies (9.5.2.1), and washrooms still follow 3.7.2 (9.31.1.1).

The building's size also decides whether you need an architect or engineer. For a business occupancy, Division C requires no registered professional when the building is 1 storey and no more than 500 m² (5,382 sq ft), 2 storeys and no more than 250 m² (2,691 sq ft), or 3 storeys and no more than 165 m² (1,776 sq ft) ([NBC(AE) 2023, Division C, 2.4.1.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Those limits are for the whole building, not your suite, and the City can still ask for one (2.4.1.1.(4)).

## What permits does an office fit-out need in Calgary?

Most office fit-outs need a building permit. As of October 2026, the City of Calgary asks for one for any work on structural or non-structural walls, a change in business that changes the code classification or occupant load, or a first tenant in a new building ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/commercial/alterations.html)). Work that's wholly cosmetic, like painting or furniture, needs none. Each trade contractor applies for separate electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC permits.

Planning approval comes before the building permit. The City's figures:

| Approval | Fee | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Development permit, permitted change of use | $190 | 5 business days |
| Development permit, discretionary use or with a relaxation | $594 plus $30 advertising ($624) | 10 to 12 weeks |
| Building permit, interior renovation | Set by construction value | 21 to 49 days |

Note: The City's published figures as of October 2026, not quotes; timelines depend on how complete the application is.

## What did Calgary office fit-outs declare in 2025?

Here's what the office permit classes declared in 2025:

Office fit-outs, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Office | 478 | $175,000 |
| Bank | 19 | $130,000 |
| Warehouse and office | 213 | $79,500 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Office is Calgary's busiest commercial improvement class, at 478 permits and a median of $175,000. Of the 471 office permits with a declared value, about a quarter declared $75,000 or less, about a quarter $400,000 or more, and 39 declared $1 million or more ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)). A declared value is the applicant's own figure: it sets the permit fee and usually runs below the real cost.

## See the office at full size before you build

At the studio, your plan is lit at full size on a walkable LED floor with room names and dimension lines. Stand in a 1 100 mm corridor with a chair pushed back from a desk and see what's left. Walk from reception to the furthest desk and on to each egress door.

Freestanding walls, a table and chairs stand in for partitions and furniture, changes go onto the floor on the spot, and you keep the session recording. Very large plans are walked a wing at a time. Send plans as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead. Commercial sessions are quoted by the size of the space, and the quote is free ([pricing](/pricing)). [Book a session](/book), see how [architects and designers](/architects-and-designers) use the studio, or read the other [commercial layout guides](/commercial), such as the [salon and spa](/commercial/salon-spa-layout-alberta) and [medical clinic](/commercial/medical-clinic-layout-alberta) pages.

## Questions

### How much office space do you need per employee in Alberta?

Alberta sets no minimum office space per employee, as of October 2026. The building code's 9.30 m² (100 sq ft) per person is a rate for counting occupants to size exits and washrooms, not a space allowance. You can plan more people than that rate gives, and then your designed number becomes the occupant load.

### Does a small office need two exits?

A small office suite in Alberta needs only one egress door if it stays within 200 m² (2,153 sq ft) and 25 m (82 ft) of travel, or 300 m² (3,229 sq ft) when sprinklered, with 60 people or fewer ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.3.1.5](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Past those limits it needs two, a third of the diagonal apart.

### How wide does an office hallway need to be in Alberta?

An office hallway the public uses must be at least 1 100 mm (3 ft 7 in) wide in Alberta, and a barrier-free path at least 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.3.1.9 and 3.8.3.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Doorways on that path need 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) clear.


### Do you need a permit to renovate an office in Calgary?

An office renovation in Calgary needs a building permit for any work on structural or non-structural walls, as of October 2026, and trades pull their own permits. Painting and furniture alone need none. A change of use also needs a development permit first, at $190 if the use is permitted.

---

## Salon floor plan in Alberta: reprocessing, sinks and washrooms

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/commercial/salon-spa-layout-alberta
Updated: 2026-10-05

A salon floor plan in Alberta is shaped first by the Personal Services Regulation, which Alberta Health Services (AHS) enforces. As of October 2026, if your reusable tools puncture skin or touch mucous membrane or broken skin, the sink and work surfaces where you clean them must sit in an area clients can't enter, and never in a room with a toilet ([Personal Services Regulation, AR 1/2020, s.6](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2020_001.pdf)). The Regulation and its Standards set no minimum station size and no number of sinks per chair.

## Key takeaways

- Where reusable tools puncture the body or touch mucous membrane or non-intact skin, the reprocessing sink and work surfaces must be in an area with restricted client access and not in a room with a toilet ([Personal Services Regulation, s.6](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2020_001.pdf)).
- Reprocessing areas must be kept apart from routine employee and client traffic, dining, food preparation, sleeping and the storage of staff belongings ([Personal Services Standards, 2020](https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/71d9b238-0ec3-4f2d-8ac7-5510b46900a0/resource/6d224d18-1c63-4f5d-8ba5-d71b98ef5c83/download/health-personal-services-standards.pdf), 5.10).
- AHS asks you to send plans to a public health inspector before construction, showing client service areas, storage, washrooms, reprocessing areas, finishes, lighting and ventilation ([AHS checklist](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-opening-personal-services-business-checklist.pdf)).
- The building code counts a personal services shop at 4.60 m² (50 sq ft) per person, so a 92 m² (990 sq ft) salon counts as 20 people and needs one water closet for each sex ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.1.17.1 and 3.7.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Staff can't wash hands in a reprocessing sink without a written procedure to disinfect it in between ([Personal Services Standards](https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/71d9b238-0ec3-4f2d-8ac7-5510b46900a0/resource/6d224d18-1c63-4f5d-8ba5-d71b98ef5c83/download/health-personal-services-standards.pdf), 2.8).

## Which Alberta rules apply to a salon, barber, spa or tattoo studio?

The Personal Services Regulation covers any business that works on a person's skin, hair, nails or teeth mainly to change how they look. Its list runs from cutting, shaving and styling to puncturing, applying suction, energy-emitting equipment and cosmetic injections ([AR 1/2020, s.1](https://kings-printer.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2020_001.pdf)). That takes in salons, barbers, nail, esthetics, spa, tattoo and piercing studios. The Regulation doesn't apply to a health service under the Health Professions Act or to premises where a dentist practises (s.2).

The Personal Services Standards, in force since 1 July 2020, form part of the Regulation (s.3) ([Personal Services Standards](https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/71d9b238-0ec3-4f2d-8ac7-5510b46900a0/resource/6d224d18-1c63-4f5d-8ba5-d71b98ef5c83/download/health-personal-services-standards.pdf)). Public health inspectors from AHS enforce them, and you must notify AHS of your services before you offer them ([AHS checklist](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-opening-personal-services-business-checklist.pdf); Standards 1.4).

The facility rules that reach the floor plan, as of October 2026:

| Rule | What it means for the plan | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hot and cold running water from a potable source | Plumbing to every sink you rely on | Regulation 5(1)(c), (d) |
| A washroom with toilets and handwashing, on site or accessible to staff and clients | A washroom inside the unit or shared in the building | Regulation 5(1)(h) |
| Adequate storage for equipment and supplies | Storage drawn on the plan | Regulation 5(1)(i) |
| Smooth, non-porous, easily cleanable work surfaces where services or reprocessing happen | Finishes at stations, treatment rooms and the reprocessing counter | Regulation 5(2) |
| Client service and reprocessing areas protected from contamination | Layout and partitions | Regulation s.8 |
| Lighting good enough to clean, reprocess, inspect tools and check a client's skin | Task lighting at stations and the reprocessing counter | Standards 5.7 |
| Ventilation that removes harmful vapours and airborne hazards | Exhaust matched to the products and equipment you use | Standards 5.8 |

Note: A summary of the Regulation (current to 18 December 2025) and the Standards, not a design, and AHS has the final word on how they apply.

## Where does the reprocessing area go?

Reprocessing means cleaning, disinfecting or sterilizing a tool for reuse (s.1), and the floor it takes depends on what the tool touches. The Standards sort every reusable tool into three classes, and the class sets the treatment (3.8):

| Class | What the tool touches | Minimum treatment | What it means for the plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-critical | Hair or intact skin only | Cleaning and a low-level disinfectant (3.25) | Section 6 doesn't apply, but the area still stays apart from client traffic (5.10) |
| Semi-critical | Mucous membrane or non-intact skin, without puncturing | Cleaning and a high-level disinfectant, fully immersed (3.26, 3.33) | Section 6 applies: a restricted area, a plumbed sink, separate dirty and clean surfaces |
| Critical | Punctures skin or enters sterile tissue | Sterile at the point of use, in a steam sterilizer (3.39, 3.44) | Section 6 applies, plus counter space for the sterilizer |

Note: The Standards' classes as of October 2026. Single-use needles, lancets and filaments are thrown out after one client into puncture-resistant containers kept in the client service area (3.2 to 3.4).

For semi-critical and critical tools, section 6 asks for three things, on site or in a facility the tools can readily be carried to: a work surface big enough for contaminated tools, a sink connected to a permanent potable supply with hot and cold water, and a separate work surface for cleaned tools. That sink and those surfaces must be somewhere clients can't go, and not in a room with a toilet (s.6(3)). A mobile sink can't serve them (s.7). Tools with joints, crevices or hollow parts also need an ultrasonic cleaner, unless the maker says otherwise (3.19), so leave counter space for one.

AHS's checklist adds that the reprocessing area should be laid out so equipment flows one way, from dirty to clean ([AHS checklist](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-opening-personal-services-business-checklist.pdf)). Laid out in order:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: One-way reprocessing in a personal services studio. Used tools leave the station without soiling surfaces (3.12), then Dirty work surface (s.6(2)(a)), then Plumbed sink: take apart, clean and rinse (3.15), then Dry and inspect (3.15, 3.16), then Disinfect or sterilize (3.26, 3.39), then Clean work surface, then protected storage (s.6(2)(c), 3.68). Clients can't enter this area, and it can't be in a room with a toilet (s.6(3)).*

Standard 5.10 keeps reprocessing away from "routine employee and client traffic", the staff lunch table and the coat hooks. That keeps it off the route between the front door and the washroom, and out of a back room that doubles as the break room. Soiled linen also stays apart from clean linen (3.71), so give each its own place on the plan.

## Do you need a handwashing sink at every station?

No Alberta rule sets a number of handwashing sinks per station or a distance to one. As of October 2026, the Standards require hand hygiene before and after every service, around gloves and after reprocessing (2.5). Alcohol-based hand rub is allowed only on visibly clean hands (2.6).

What they fix is which sink you use. Handwashing can't happen in a reprocessing sink unless staff follow a written procedure to clean and disinfect it in between (2.8). Any handwashing sink needs soap, warm running water and a sanitary way to dry hands (2.11). Shampoo bowls don't appear anywhere in the Regulation or the Standards, so how you count them is a question for your inspector at plan review.

## How many washrooms does a salon need?

The building code counts washrooms from the occupant load, and it lists barber and hairdressing shops and beauty parlours as Group D, business and personal services ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-3.1.2.1.(1)](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Table 3.1.17.1 counts personal services shops at 4.60 m² (50 sq ft) per person, half the 9.30 m² (100 sq ft) it gives offices. On the same 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) floor, that's about 22 people in a salon and 11 in an office.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: One person's share of a 100 m² floor. A room 10 000 mm (32 ft 10 in) by 10 000 mm (32 ft 10 in) with 4.60 2 145 mm by 2 145 mm, 9.30 3 050 mm by 3 050 mm.*

The load splits evenly between the sexes unless you show otherwise, and up to 10 people can share one water closet ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.7.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Worked through Table 3.7.2.2.-B:

| Salon floor area | Occupant load at 4.60 m² | Water closets |
|---|---|---|
| 46 m² (495 sq ft) or less | 10 or fewer | 1, shared by both sexes |
| 92 m² (990 sq ft) | 20 | 1 for each sex |
| 230 m² (2,476 sq ft) | 50 | 1 for each sex |
| 276 m² (2,971 sq ft) | 60 | 2 for each sex |

Note: Code minimums as of October 2026, at the table rate. A lower designed load needs a posted sign (3.1.17.1.(2)).

On a storey that needs a barrier-free path, one washroom must be a universal washroom with a 1 700 mm (5 ft 7 in) turning space ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.8 and 3.8.3.13](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The [barrier-free bathroom guide](/room-sizes/barrier-free-bathroom-alberta) covers the details. A spa that offers showers to clients needs at least one universal dressing and shower room (3.8.2.8.(13)).

## What about exits, doors and the front desk?

A small salon usually needs one door out. In a floor area that isn't sprinklered, a Group D room or suite needs a second egress doorway once it passes 200 m² (2,153 sq ft) or 25 m (82 ft) of travel to the door. In a sprinklered floor area the limits are 300 m² (3,229 sq ft) and the same 25 m ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.3.1.5](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). More than 60 people also triggers a second door, which at 4.60 m² per person arrives above 276 m².

The barrier-free path is at least 1 000 mm (3 ft 3 in) clear, with doorways of at least 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) (3.8.3.2 and 3.8.3.6), so keep chairs and trolleys out of it. A reception counter needs one section no higher than 865 mm (2 ft 10 in) (3.8.3.20). The [office layout guide](/commercial/office-layout-calgary) covers exits and corridors in more depth.

## What approvals does a Calgary salon need?

A salon fit-out in Calgary usually needs a building permit. As of October 2026, the City lists AHS review among the triggers, alongside work on any wall and a change in code classification or occupant load ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/commercial/alterations.html)).

| Approval | When it applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Wall changes, a new code classification or occupant load, a first tenant in a new building, or AHS review | [The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/commercial/alterations.html) |
| Trade permits | Pulled by each trade contractor for electrical, plumbing, gas and HVAC | same |
| Development permit for a change of use | $190 and 5 business days if permitted; $624 and 10 to 12 weeks if discretionary or relaxed | same |
| AHS notification and plan review | Notify before offering services; send plans before construction | [AHS checklist](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-opening-personal-services-business-checklist.pdf) |
| City business licence | Hair, esthetics, waxing, tanning, piercing, tattooing, massage, saunas and steam baths | [Beauty and body services](https://www.calgary.ca/for-business/licences/beauty-body.html) |
| Police clearance | Tattooing, microblading, permanent makeup and piercing | same |

Note: The City's and AHS's published requirements as of October 2026, not legal advice. The City's licence page also lists an AHS inspection and, for most commercial premises, a fire inspection.

## What did Calgary salon and spa fit-outs declare in 2025?

Here's what the personal service permit classes declared in 2025:

Salon, barber, spa and massage fit-outs, City of Calgary permits issued in 2025:

| Permit type | Permits | Median declared value |
|---|---|---|
| Personal service, miscellaneous | 89 | $57,500 |
| Barber shop | 15 | $40,000 |
| Beauty shop | 12 | $72,000 |
| Massage | 12 | $100,000 |

Source: City of Calgary building permits open data (https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed), retrieved 2026-09-25. The median is of the construction value declared on the permit application. It isn't a quote and usually runs below what the work really costs. New homes and commercial work pay permit fees on this value; most home alterations pay a flat fee.

Class names miss some salons. In 2025, 35 non-residential improvement permits named a salon, barber, nail, wax, spa or massage business in their description, spread across seven classes, including retail shop and medical ([The City of Calgary, open data](https://data.calgary.ca/Business-and-Economic-Activity/Building-Permits/c2es-76ed)). The 33 with a declared value had a median of $75,000, the applicant's own figure, which sets the permit fee and usually runs below the real cost.

## Walk the client route and the dirty-tool route at full size

At the studio, your plan is lit at full size on a walkable LED floor with room names and dimension lines. Walk a client from the door to a chair, to the shampoo bowl and to the washroom. Then carry an imaginary tray of used tools from a station to the reprocessing counter and on to clean storage, and check the two routes never share a doorway.

Freestanding walls and chairs stand in for partitions and stations, changes go onto the floor on the spot, and you keep the session recording. Send plans as a PDF or DWG at least three days ahead. Commercial sessions are quoted by the size of the space, and the quote is free ([pricing](/pricing)). [Book a session](/book), see how [architects and designers](/architects-and-designers) use the studio, or read the other [commercial layout guides](/commercial), such as the [medical clinic](/commercial/medical-clinic-layout-alberta) and [dental office](/commercial/dental-office-layout-alberta) pages for their own reprocessing rules.

## Questions

### Does a salon in Alberta need a separate handwashing sink?

Alberta's Personal Services Standards don't set a number of handwashing sinks for a salon, as of October 2026. They do bar handwashing in a sink used for reprocessing unless staff follow a written procedure to clean and disinfect it in between (2.8). A separate hand sink removes the need for that procedure, but no rule requires one.

### Can a salon clean its tools in the washroom sink?

A salon can't clean semi-critical or critical tools in a washroom, because Alberta's Personal Services Regulation says that reprocessing sink "must not be located in a room that contains a toilet" (s.6(3)(b)). AHS's opening checklist repeats the point for the reprocessing area as a whole.

### What is the minimum size of a salon station in Alberta?

Alberta sets no minimum salon station size or chair spacing, as of October 2026. Neither the Personal Services Regulation nor its Standards mention station dimensions. The building code only counts 4.60 m² (50 sq ft) per person to work out occupant load, which sizes exits and washrooms, not stations.

### Does a Calgary salon need AHS approval before opening?

A Calgary salon must notify Alberta Health Services of its services before offering them, and AHS asks to review plans before construction ([AHS checklist](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/wf/eph/wf-eph-opening-personal-services-business-checklist.pdf)). Notification is a duty; the plan review is AHS's advice, offered to help you avoid costly changes after you build. The City of Calgary also lists an AHS inspection among the approvals for a beauty and body services licence.

---

## Stair code in Alberta: rise, run, width, headroom and handrails

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/room-sizes/stairs-alberta
Updated: 2026-09-25

In Alberta, stairs in a house can have risers up to 200 mm (7.9 in) high on runs as short as 255 mm (10 in), and at least one stair between floors must be 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) wide with 1 950 mm (6 ft 5 in) of headroom ([NBC(AE) 2023, Section 9.8](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Stairs outside houses must be gentler, with risers of 180 mm (7.1 in) at most and runs of at least 280 mm (11 in). These rules are in the second printing of the National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, in force since 17 August 2026 ([Government of Alberta, 2026](https://www.alberta.ca/building-codes-and-standards)).

## Key takeaways

- As of September 2026, stairs serving a house or a house with a secondary suite can rise 125 mm to 200 mm per step and run 255 mm to 355 mm ([NBC(AE) 2023, Tables 9.8.4.1 and 9.8.4.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- At least one stair between floors of a home must be 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) wide ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Stairs in a house need 1 950 mm (6 ft 5 in) of headroom, or 1 850 mm (6 ft 1 in) under beams and ducts in a secondary suite ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- One flight can climb no more than 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in), and each flight needs a landing at its top and bottom, with a few exceptions ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.3.3 and 9.8.6.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Handrails must be 865 mm to 1 070 mm (2 ft 10 in to 3 ft 6 in) high ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.7.4](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).
- Guards must be at least 900 mm (2 ft 11 in) high inside a home and 1 070 mm (3 ft 6 in) in most other places ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.8.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

## What does the Alberta stair code require?

The code sets two groups of limits. Private stairs serve a single home, a house with a secondary suite, or a garage that serves either one. Public stairs are all the others, apart from service stairs ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.8.4.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). So the steps up from a [garage](/room-sizes/garage-size-calgary) that serves your home follow the home's rules ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.1.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Here are the main stair limits in Alberta as of September 2026:

| Rule | Private stairs (homes) | Public stairs | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rise per step | 125 mm to 200 mm (4.9 in to 7.9 in) | 125 mm to 180 mm (4.9 in to 7.1 in) | [Table 9.8.4.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Run per step | 255 mm to 355 mm (10 in to 1 ft 2 in) | 280 mm (11 in) or more | [Table 9.8.4.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Tread depth | The run, up to the run plus 25 mm (1 in) | Same | [9.8.4.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Width | 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) | 900 mm (2 ft 11 in) in residential buildings | [9.8.2.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Headroom | 1 950 mm (6 ft 5 in), or 1 850 mm (6 ft 1 in) under beams and ducts in a suite | 2 050 mm (6 ft 9 in) | [9.8.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Height of one flight | 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) at most | Same | [9.8.3.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Riser variation in a flight | 5 mm between neighbours, 10 mm from tallest to shortest | Same | [9.8.4.4](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |

Note: code limits, not recommended sizes. Confirm with the City of Calgary before you build.

## What are the rise and run limits for stairs in Alberta?

In a house, each step can rise 125 mm to 200 mm (4.9 in to 7.9 in) and run 255 mm to 355 mm (10 in to 1 ft 2 in). Both are measured nosing to nosing, and the tread can be up to 25 mm (1 in) deeper than the run to allow for the nosing ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.4.2 and Figure A-9.8.4.-B](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

The steps in a flight must match within 5 mm of each other and 10 mm from tallest to shortest. Nosings need a rounded or bevelled edge of 6 mm to 14 mm, and open risers are allowed in a home ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.4.4, 9.8.4.8 and 9.8.4.9](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Turning stairs have their own rules. Tapered treads need at least 150 mm (5.9 in) of run at the narrow end. Winders must turn exactly 30° or 45° each, up to 90° per set, with one set allowed between floors. Spiral stairs can't serve as an exit ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.4.3, 9.8.4.6, 9.8.3.1 and 9.8.4.7](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

## How wide do stairs need to be, and how much headroom?

In a home, at least one stair between each pair of floors must be 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) wide, the same as the [minimum hallway width](/room-sizes/hallway-width-alberta). Handrails and stringers can project up to 100 mm (3.9 in) into that width ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.2.1 and 9.8.7.6](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Headroom is measured straight up, across the stair's clear width, from a line touching the nosings to the lowest thing above. A stair in a house needs 1 950 mm (6 ft 5 in). Under beams and ducting in a secondary suite, 1 850 mm (6 ft 1 in) is allowed, and stairs outside houses need 2 050 mm (6 ft 9 in) ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.2.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Landings in a house get the same 1 950 mm ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.6.4](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

These match the City of Calgary's basement suite ceilings: 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in), or 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) where ducts and beams need drop ceilings ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)). The [basement ceiling height guide](/room-sizes/basement-ceiling-height-alberta) covers the rooms.

## When does a stair need a landing, and how big?

Every flight needs a landing at its top and bottom, and so does any doorway that opens onto a stair ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.6.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The code defines a flight as a series of steps between landings, so with the 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) cap on one flight, a taller climb needs a landing partway.

In a home, three cases can skip a landing. A door at the top of an inside stair can skip the landing if it swings away from the stair. A short outside stair at a secondary entrance can skip the top landing under strict conditions, including 3 risers or fewer. An outside stair can skip the bottom landing if no gate or door sits within 900 mm (2 ft 11 in) of it, or within the stair's width if that's less.

A landing must be at least as wide and as long as the stair is wide. A straight landing, or one that turns less than 90°, never has to be longer than 1 100 mm (3 ft 7 in). A door that swings toward the stair must swing fully over the landing ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.6.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Winders save floor space, but the code's note says "the safest method of incorporating the turn is to use a landing" ([NBC(AE) 2023, Note A-9.8.4.6](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

For a suite's exit stair, Calgary's checklist asks for an 860 mm width, a handrail, landings at least 860 mm long and a light switched at the top and bottom. A new outside stairwell needs a foundation designed by a registered professional engineer ([The City of Calgary, 2026](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/new-secondary-suite.html)). The [basement suite guide](/blog/legal-basement-suite-calgary) covers the rest.

## What are the handrail and railing heights in Alberta?

Handrails must be 865 mm to 1 070 mm (2 ft 10 in to 3 ft 6 in) high, and guards at least 900 mm (2 ft 11 in) inside a home. A handrail is the rail you hold. A guard is the barrier at an open side that stops a fall, often called a railing.

These are the handrail and guard rules as of September 2026:

| Rule | Value | Clause |
|---|---|---|
| Handrail height, from a line along the nosings | 865 mm to 1 070 mm (2 ft 10 in to 3 ft 6 in) | [9.8.7.4](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Handrails on a stair inside a home | 1 side, at any width | [Table 9.8.7.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Handrails on other stairs | 1 side if straight and under 1 100 mm (3 ft 7 in) wide, otherwise 2 | [Table 9.8.7.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| No handrail needed in a home | Inside stairs of 2 risers or fewer, outside stairs of 3 or fewer | [9.8.7.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Guard needed | Where the drop is more than 600 mm (2 ft) within 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) | [9.8.8.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Guard height inside a home | 900 mm (2 ft 11 in) | [9.8.8.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Guard outside one home, surface up to 1 800 mm (5 ft 11 in) above ground | 900 mm | [9.8.8.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Guard height everywhere else | 1 070 mm (3 ft 6 in) | [9.8.8.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |
| Openings in a guard | Small enough to stop a 100 mm (3.9 in) sphere | [9.8.8.5](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en) |

Note: code minimums, not recommended sizes. Confirm with the City of Calgary before you build.

On a stair, guard height is measured straight up from a line through the nosings ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.8.3](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). The code's note explains the lower guard in a home: guard heights follow an average person's waist, and people who live in a home get to know its hazards. Required handrails must be graspable from the bottom riser to the top one, though in a home a handrail may start from a newel post on the bottom tread ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.8.7.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

## What does a steep stair feel like next to a gentle one?

The code doesn't define a comfortable stair. The two drawings below show the steepest stair each group allows.

The first is a house stair at its limits: a 200 mm rise, a 255 mm run, 1 950 mm of headroom and the 865 mm to 1 070 mm handrail band.

*Diagram, drawn to scale: The steepest stair allowed in a house. Stairs with a 200 mm rise and 255 mm run, 1 950 mm headroom, handrail 865 mm to 1 070 mm high.*

The second is the steepest public stair, the kind you climb in apartment buildings, offices and shops: a 180 mm rise, a 280 mm run and 2 050 mm of headroom ([NBC(AE) 2023, 3.4.6.8 and Tables 9.8.4.1 and 9.8.4.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

*Diagram, drawn to scale: The steepest stair allowed outside a house. Stairs with a 180 mm rise and 280 mm run, 2 050 mm headroom, handrail 865 mm to 1 070 mm high.*

The house stair climbs at about 38° and the public one at about 33°. Each house step is 20 mm taller, and its run gives your foot 25 mm less tread. In return, the steep stair is shorter: for every metre it climbs, it travels about 1.28 m forward, against about 1.56 m for the public limit. On a plan, that extra length comes out of the rooms at the top and bottom.

## What does a walkthrough show for stairs?

The studio's LED floor is flat, so you can't climb a stair on it. You can see the stair's footprint at full size: how much floor it takes, where the landings fall and whether a door swings over a landing or into the stair. Changes are made on the spot, so you can compare a steeper and a gentler version of the same stair and see which room gives up the difference.

A standard session is two hours and is recorded for you to keep. Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). See the other [room size guides](/room-sizes), how sessions work for [renovations](/renovations), or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### What is the maximum stair rise in Alberta?

In Alberta, the maximum rise for stairs in a house is 200 mm (7.9 in) per step, as of September 2026. Public stairs are capped at 180 mm (7.1 in), and every stair needs at least 125 mm (4.9 in) per step.

### What is the minimum stair width in Alberta?

In Alberta, at least one stair between floors of a home must be 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) wide. Public stairs and required exit stairs in residential buildings other than houses need 900 mm (2 ft 11 in).

### How much headroom do stairs need in Alberta?

In Alberta, stairs in a house need 1 950 mm (6 ft 5 in) of headroom, measured straight up from a line along the nosings. Under beams and ducts in a secondary suite, 1 850 mm (6 ft 1 in) is allowed, and stairs outside houses need 2 050 mm (6 ft 9 in).

### How high does a stair railing have to be in Alberta?

In Alberta, a stair handrail must be 865 mm to 1 070 mm (2 ft 10 in to 3 ft 6 in) high. A guard, the railing at an open side, must be at least 900 mm (2 ft 11 in) inside a home and 1 070 mm (3 ft 6 in) in most other places.

### Does every stair need a landing in Alberta?

Almost every stair in Alberta needs a landing at its top and bottom, and wherever a door opens onto it. The main exception in a home is a door at the top of an inside stair that swings away from the stair.

### Do basement suite stairs follow different rules in Alberta?

Mostly not: stairs in a house with a secondary suite follow the private-stair limits for rise, run, width and handrails. Headroom can drop to 1 850 mm (6 ft 1 in) under beams and ducts in the suite, and the City of Calgary asks for landings at least 860 mm long.

---

## What size room for a king bed: primary bedroom clearances

URL: https://1to1planscalgary.com/room-sizes/primary-bedroom-king-bed
Updated: 2026-10-05

A king mattress is 76 by 80 in (1 930 by 2 032 mm), and with the 30 in (762 mm) walkway the design reference Dimensions.com recommends on its three open sides, it needs a room at least 3 454 by 2 794 mm (11 ft 4 in by 9 ft 2 in) ([Dimensions.com, updated August 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/king-bedroom-layouts)). Put a dresser at the foot and the room grows to about 3 581 to 3 734 mm (11 ft 9 in to 12 ft 3 in) deep. Alberta's building code sets no minimum bedroom size as of October 2026, so these numbers are guidance, not rules.

## Key takeaways

- Endy, a Canadian mattress maker, lists a king at 76 by 80 in (1 930 by 2 032 mm) and a California king at 72 by 84 in (1 829 by 2 134 mm) ([Endy, 2023](https://www.endy.com/blog/article/mattress-size-guide)).
- Dimensions.com recommends at least 30 in (762 mm), and ideally 36 in (914 mm), of clear floor around the open sides of a king ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/king-bedroom-layouts)).
- Dimensions.com suggests 42 to 48 in (1 067 to 1 219 mm) of clear floor in front of a dresser so you can open a drawer fully and reach in ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/dresser-chest-bedroom-clearances)).
- The City of Calgary's sample permit drawings show a master bedroom of 11 ft 7 in by 12 ft 3 in (3 531 by 3 734 mm), which fits a king with about 800 mm (2 ft 8 in) on each side ([The City of Calgary, 2016](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/carls/sample-drawings/DP-BP-new-home-sample-drawings.pdf)).
- As of October 2026, the NBC(AE) 2023 sets no floor area for a primary bedroom, but sizes its doorway for a door at least 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) wide and a walk-in closet's for 610 mm (2 ft) ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

## What size room does a king bed need?

At least 11 ft 4 in by 9 ft 2 in for the bed and its walkways alone. Dimensions.com, a reference database of measured drawings, recommends minimum clearances of 30 in and "comfortable clearances" of 36 in around a king. It gives about 119 sq ft (11 m²) as the least area for a king with clearance, and 141 to 147 sq ft (13.1 to 13.7 m²) once closets are added ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/king-bedroom-layouts)).

These are the room sizes Dimensions.com draws for each bed, from the minimum to the comfortable clearance:

| Bed | Mattress (Endy) | Room width | Room depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | 1 524 by 2 032 mm (60 by 80 in) | 3 048 to 3 353 mm (10 to 11 ft) | 2 794 to 2 946 mm (9 ft 2 in to 9 ft 8 in) |
| King | 1 930 by 2 032 mm (76 by 80 in) | 3 454 to 3 759 mm (11 ft 4 in to 12 ft 4 in) | 2 794 to 2 946 mm (9 ft 2 in to 9 ft 8 in) |
| California king | 1 829 by 2 134 mm (72 by 84 in) | 3 353 to 3 658 mm (11 to 12 ft) | 2 896 to 3 048 mm (9 ft 6 in to 10 ft) |

Note: design guidance for the bed and its walkways only, headboard on a wall ([queen](https://www.dimensions.com/element/queen-bedroom-layouts), [California king](https://www.dimensions.com/element/california-king-bedroom-layouts)); not code minimums, and no nightstands, dresser or closet.

The Better Sleep Council, sponsored by the International Sleep Products Association, gives the same king width "by approximately 80 inches long" and warns that sizes vary ([Better Sleep Council, 2024](https://bettersleep.org/mattress-sizes/)). The frame adds more: IKEA's Malm queen frame is 1 680 by 2 110 mm (5 ft 6 in by 6 ft 11 in), about 156 mm (6.1 in) wider than its mattress, so measure your own frame ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/ikea-malm-bed-frame)).

## How much room do nightstands and a dresser add?

Nightstands usually add no width, since they sit inside the walkway at the head of the bed. A dresser at the foot adds the most.

The Colette nightstand is 24 in wide and 18 in deep (610 by 457 mm) ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/colette-nightstand)). A king with one each side is 3 150 mm (10 ft 4 in) across, narrower than the 3 454 mm the walkways already need. Dressers run 18 to 24 in (457 to 610 mm) deep ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/dresser-chest-bedroom-clearances)); IKEA's Malm six-drawer is 63 by 19 in (1 600 by 483 mm) ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/ikea-malm-6-drawer-dresser)).

Adding those numbers gives the room a king needs as the furniture goes in:

| Layout | Width (headboard wall) | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| King, 30 in walkways | 3 454 mm (11 ft 4 in) | 2 794 mm (9 ft 2 in) |
| King, 36 in walkways | 3 759 mm (12 ft 4 in) | 2 946 mm (9 ft 8 in) |
| King, 19 in dresser at the foot, 42 in in front | 3 454 mm (11 ft 4 in) | 3 581 mm (11 ft 9 in) |
| King, 19 in dresser at the foot, 48 in in front | 3 454 mm (11 ft 4 in) | 3 734 mm (12 ft 3 in) |

Note: arithmetic on the cited mattress, furniture and clearance figures for a bare mattress; a frame or deep headboard takes a little more.

## Will a king fit in a typical Calgary primary bedroom?

In the City of Calgary's own sample plan, yes, with room for a dresser. The City's sample new-home permit drawings show a master bedroom of 11 ft 7 in by 12 ft 3 in (3 531 by 3 734 mm), about 13.2 m² (142 sq ft), with doors marked "2/6", a 2 ft 6 in door ([The City of Calgary, 2016](https://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/carls/sample-drawings/DP-BP-new-home-sample-drawings.pdf)). It's a drawing example, not a survey of Calgary houses, but a useful local reference.

A king on the 3 531 mm wall has about 800 mm (2 ft 8 in) each side and 1 702 mm (5 ft 7 in) at the foot. A 483 mm deep Malm dresser on the foot wall leaves 1 219 mm (4 ft) in front, the top of the Dimensions.com range, and two 610 by 457 mm nightstands sit at the head:

*Diagram, drawn to scale: A king bed in the City of Calgary's sample master bedroom. A room 3 531 mm (11 ft 7 in) by 3 734 mm (12 ft 3 in) with King mattress 1 930 mm by 2 032 mm, Nightstand 610 mm by 457 mm, Nightstand 610 mm by 457 mm, Dresser 1 600 mm by 483 mm; clearances 800 mm, 800 mm, 1 219 mm.*

The 800 mm sides clear the 762 mm minimum but not the 914 mm comfortable figure. Here's the same room with each bed on the shorter wall:

| Bed | Each side | Foot to wall | In front of a 483 mm dresser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | 1 003 mm (3 ft 4 in) | 1 702 mm (5 ft 7 in) | 1 219 mm (4 ft) |
| King | 800 mm (2 ft 8 in) | 1 702 mm (5 ft 7 in) | 1 219 mm (4 ft) |
| California king | 851 mm (2 ft 10 in) | 1 600 mm (5 ft 3 in) | 1 118 mm (3 ft 8 in) |

Note: arithmetic on the City's sample room and the cited sizes; the sample shows no furniture, and your doors and windows decide which wall the bed gets.

Turn the king so the headboard is on the 3 734 mm wall and the sides grow to about 902 mm (3 ft), but the dresser is left only 1 016 mm (3 ft 4 in), under the 42 in minimum. In the 10 by 12 ft room Endy suggests for a king, the bed fits with 864 mm (2 ft 10 in) each side, but a dresser at the foot would leave about 533 mm (1 ft 9 in), so it has to go elsewhere.

## What does the Alberta code set for a primary bedroom?

Almost nothing about its size. As of October 2026, the National Building Code, 2023 Alberta Edition, sets no floor area or width for any bedroom. Beyond the window and alarm rules in the [bedroom size guide](/room-sizes/bedroom-size-alberta), two points bear on a king-bed layout:

- **Ceiling.** The room the code calls the master bedroom needs 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) of height over the lesser of the room or 4.9 m² (53 sq ft) ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.3.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). That matters under a sloped roof.
- **Measurement.** Rooms are "measured between finished wall surfaces" ([NBC(AE) 2023, 9.5.1.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Ask your designer whether the plan's numbers run to the drywall or the framing; the bed only gets the finished size.

The City of Calgary checks these rules when it reviews your permit drawings. None of them says a room is big enough for your bed.

## How much floor does the bedroom door take?

A hinged door sweeps a quarter circle as wide as the door, so a 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) bedroom door, the usual code minimum for a bedroom, needs a 760 by 760 mm patch of floor kept clear inside the room ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)). Part 9 doesn't say which way a bedroom door swings; its swing rules cover doors at stairs and entrances.

In the sample room, the door sits on a side wall past the foot of the bed, so it swings into the 1 702 mm zone and misses the furniture. On the headboard wall, the same door would swing across a nightstand. If the door can't move, a pocket or sliding door frees the arc. A hallway in a house is generally at least 860 mm (2 ft 10 in) wide; see the [hallway width guide](/room-sizes/hallway-width-alberta).

## What about closet doors and walk-in closets?

Closet doors take floor too, and the code only sizes the walk-in doorway: a door at least 610 mm (2 ft) wide and 1 980 mm (6 ft 6 in) high. Mirrored glass doors "are only permitted to be used at the entrance to clothes closets" ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.5.1 and 9.6.1.2](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

Dimensions.com recommends a reach-in closet 24 in (610 mm) deep, down to 20 in (508 mm), with sliding, bifold or pocket doors ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/reach-in-closets)). Sliding and pocket doors take no bedroom floor; hinged ones swing over it like the room door, so keep the bed and dresser out of their arcs. A one-sided walk-in is commonly 4 to 5 ft (1 219 to 1 524 mm) deep with a 36 in (914 mm) aisle ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/single-sided-walk-in-closets)).

## Where a full-size walkthrough fits

The margins here are small, like 800 mm beside a bed against a 914 mm comfortable figure. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is lit at full size from inside a walkable LED floor, room by room, with room names and dimension lines, so you can stand in the primary bedroom before it's framed.

The studio's pieces don't include a bed, so have your designer draw the bed, nightstands and dresser on the plan at their real sizes. Then open the door and closet with the bed in place and walk both sides of it. Freestanding walls can be moved to try a closet position, changes go up on the floor on the spot, and you keep the session recording. That's cheaper than [moving a framed wall](/blog/cost-to-move-a-wall-after-framing-calgary).

Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking ([get a quote](/pricing)). See [how the studio helps homeowners](/homeowners), the other [room size guides](/room-sizes), or [book a session](/book).

## Questions

### What size room do you need for a king bed?

A king bed needs a room at least 11 ft 4 in by 9 ft 2 in (3 454 by 2 794 mm) for 30 in (762 mm) walkways, or 12 ft 4 in by 9 ft 8 in for 36 in walkways ([Dimensions.com, 2026](https://www.dimensions.com/element/king-bedroom-layouts)).

### How much space should you leave on each side of a king bed?

Beside a king bed, Dimensions.com recommends at least 30 in (762 mm) of clear floor and calls 36 in (914 mm) comfortable. That's design guidance; Alberta's building code sets no clearance around a bed.

### Is a 12 by 12 ft room big enough for a king bed?

Yes, a 12 by 12 ft room (3 658 mm square) fits a king with 864 mm (2 ft 10 in) each side and 1 626 mm (5 ft 4 in) at the foot. A 19 in (483 mm) dresser on the foot wall would leave 1 143 mm (3 ft 9 in) in front, inside the 42 to 48 in range Dimensions.com recommends.

### Does Alberta have a minimum size for a primary bedroom?

No. As of October 2026, Alberta's building code sets no minimum floor area or width for a primary bedroom. It sets a ceiling height over part of the floor, an escape window unless the home is sprinklered, and a doorway for a door at least 760 mm (2 ft 6 in) wide ([NBC(AE) 2023, Table 9.5.5.1](https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=0316d953-0d55-4311-af69-cad55efec499&dp=2&dsl=en)).

### How much room does a bed need for a wheelchair user?

Much more. For new multi-unit projects in its universal design programs, CMHC asks for 1 800 mm (5 ft 11 in) of floor on one side of the bed and at the foot, and 1 200 mm (3 ft 11 in) on the other side. With a queen, that means a bedroom of at least 4 458 by 4 633 mm (14 ft 8 in by 15 ft 2 in) ([CMHC, 2024](https://assets.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/sites/cmhc/professional/industry-innovation-and-leadership/industry-expertise/accessible-adaptable-housing/universal-design-new-multi-unit-residential-buildings/universal-design-minimum-eligibility-requirements-table-en.pdf)).