Accessible kitchen dimensions in Alberta: counters and clearances

Alberta's building code doesn't require an accessible kitchen in a house. Its kitchen rules apply only to adaptable units, which province-funded projects of 10 or more homes must provide at 1 in 10, and there the sink or cooktop counter adjusts down to 710 mm (2 ft 4 in) over an 800 mm (2 ft 7 in) wide knee space (NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.1.1 and 3.8.4.4). For everyone else, the free CMHC Universal Design guide (2022) recommends "at least 1,800 mm of unobstructed floor space between opposing counters". Here are both sets of numbers, as of October 2026.

Does Alberta's building code require an accessible kitchen?

Not in a house. Section 3.8, the code's barrier-free section, applies to all buildings except a short list that starts with "detached houses, semi-detached houses, houses with a secondary suite" (NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.2.1). Even in apartment buildings, where Section 3.8 applies to common areas, the suites themselves don't need accessible kitchens.

The one exception is Alberta's own. Residential projects of 10 or more dwelling units "funded in whole or in part by the Government of Alberta" must make 1 unit in 10 adaptable (3.8.1.1.(3)). Alberta's Accessibility design guide 2024 (October 2024) adds that the count is based on all the units in the project, not just the ones the funding covers.

Who has to build what, as of October 2026:

Note: A summary of the code's application rules, not a ruling on your project. In Calgary, the City applies the code at permit.

The cooktop rules do apply in every house. Cabinets directly above a cooktop must be at least 750 mm (2 ft 6 in) above the burners, or 600 mm (2 ft) if they're noncombustible or protected by a metal hood projecting 125 mm (4.9 in) beyond them (NBC(AE) 2023, 9.10.22.2). Lowering upper cabinets for a seated cook can't cut into that.

What does an adaptable kitchen need?

Where the code does apply, it sets these numbers for the kitchen of an adaptable unit (NBC(AE) 2023, 3.8.4.2, 3.8.4.4 and 3.8.3.20):

Note: Code minimums for adaptable units as of October 2026, not recommendations for a house. The clearance profile leaves room for knees at the front and toes lower down.

The province's design guide reads the adjustable section as separate from the fixed counter, and says that if it's adjustable but not powered "there should be at least three (3) evenly spaced optional heights". As best practice it also suggests more than one outlet above the counter for appliances used every day, such as a microwave, air fryer or coffee pot.

How much floor space does an accessible kitchen need?

CMHC's guide puts the main number at 1 800 mm (5 ft 11 in) of unobstructed floor between opposing counters, cabinets and appliances, wherever possible (CMHC, 2022, Part Five). For a galley, it measures that 1 800 mm "in addition to any protruding handles" from appliances and base cabinets. That's wider than the code's 1 700 mm turning diameter, so a kitchen built to CMHC's aisle also holds the code's circle.

The widths that matter in a kitchen, at the same scale:

And the code's 1 700 mm circle inside an example galley 4 m (13 ft 1 in) long, with counters 1 800 mm apart:

CMHC prefers U-shaped, L-shaped and galley layouts with the sink near the stovetop, so pans slide from one to the other instead of being lifted. An island with knee room under it can be approached from all four sides. Beyond the kitchen, CMHC suggests a 1 800 mm turning circle in living spaces, a path at least 1 200 mm (3 ft 11 in) wide through them, and doorways of at least 860 mm (2 ft 10 in), ideally 920 mm (3 ft); the hallway width guide covers paths.

Where do the sink, cooktop and oven go?

CMHC's guidance for each appliance is specific, and most of it changes the plan rather than the finishes. The recommendations, with the code value where one exists:

Note: CMHC recommendations are best practice, not code requirements. The code values apply only to adaptable units in funded projects.

Separating the cooktop from the oven is the biggest layout change. A range puts the oven under the burners, which blocks the legroom a seated cook needs. A wall oven needs its own cabinet run and a landing surface beside it.

What about storage, outlets and lighting?

CMHC's guide favours drawers and pull-out shelves over deep base cabinets, continuous countertops so heavy pots slide rather than lift, and D-type pull handles in a contrasting colour. It recommends dimmable task lighting and colour or tone contrast between counters and walls, and light switches usable from a seated position.

If an adjustable-height counter is beyond the budget, CMHC suggests pre-installing the wiring and junction boxes behind the wall so an electrically adjustable counter can go in later. In an adaptable unit, outlets sit 400 mm to 1 200 mm above the floor, and controls such as switches and thermostats sit 900 mm to 1 200 mm (2 ft 11 in to 3 ft 11 in) high beside a clear floor space of 1 350 mm by 800 mm (3.8.4.2.(6) and 3.8.3.8). Those are good targets in any house, though nothing requires them there.

Does Calgary fund accessible kitchens?

Calgary's Secondary Suite Incentive Program offered up to an additional $7,500 for suites accessible to people with common mobility issues (The City of Calgary, 2026). Its accessibility standard asked for a minimum 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) turning diameter in the living area, kitchen and bedroom, a 920 mm (3 ft) path of travel throughout, and 850 mm (2 ft 9 in) doorways fully open. As of October 2026 the City's page says applications made after 23 June 2026 went on a waitlist and it's no longer accepting new ones.

For what a kitchen renovation costs in Calgary, see the kitchen renovation cost guide. For the matching bathroom, see the barrier-free bathroom guide.

See the kitchen at full size before the cabinets are ordered

A 1 800 mm aisle and a 1 700 mm circle are hard to judge from a drawing. At 1to1 Plans Calgary, your plan is lit at full size on a walkable LED floor with room names and dimension lines, and kitchen elevations go up on a wall-size screen behind it, so you can check counter heights and the knee space under the sink against the plan.

If your designer draws the turning circle on the plan, it shows on the floor at full size. 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. Sessions are quoted for the plan by its size, the quote is free, and there's nothing to pay at booking (pricing). Book a session, see how the studio helps homeowners, or read the other room size guides.