Calgary’s Secondary Suite Registry surpasses 20,000: A milestone for safer housing
The City of Calgary is proud to announce a major milestone in our commitment to safe, accessible housing options: more than 20,000 secondary suites are now registered through The City’s Secondary Suite Registry.
What began in 2015 as a voluntary registry program has evolved into a powerful tool for providing Calgarians with access to safe and legal housing options. This milestone reflects the growing dedication of residents to develop secondary suites that meet life-safety and building code standards, whether for renters, students, seniors or multi-generational families.
“Twenty thousand registered suites signals policy innovation, council commitment and resident action,” said Josh Howes, Secondary Suites program manager. “Each registration represents a homeowner who has taken the time to meet the fire, building and land use requirements creating a space that contributes to the safety and resiliency of the entire community.”
The path to this milestone has accelerated in recent years. It took five years to register the first 10,000 suites, but that number has doubled in just two and a half years, reaching over 20,000 by mid-2025. Registrations rose more than 60 per cent in the past year alone, reflecting strong demand for safe, legal housing options in Calgary.
This momentum extends beyond existing homes. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of new homes built with a secondary suite more than tripled. The City continues to support this growth by streamlining permitting and introducing policies that make it easier for homeowners to build code-compliant suites that meet Calgary’s evolving housing needs.
The Secondary Suite Incentive Program, introduced in 2024, has also played a significant role, adding more than 3,000 suites to the Registry to date. This work directly supports the goals of Calgary’s Home is Here Housing Strategy, which emphasizes increasing housing supply, choice and affordability across the city. Secondary suites are a key part of that vision, offering flexible solutions for homeowners and renters alike.
“This is not just about numbers but about enabling housing supply, choice and affordability for Calgarians,” says Reid Hendry, Chief Housing Officer. “Secondary suites offer a flexible solution that responds to Calgary's evolving housing needs – providing safe and affordable options for renters, flexibility for families and a dignified way for seniors to age in place.”
Securing a spot on Calgary’s Suite Registry requires more than an application; it’s a meaningful investment in safety and community trust. Owners must obtain permits, undergo inspections and meet life-safety requirements. Approved suites receive a city-issued sticker and are listed in an online, public registry, allowing Calgarians to confirm whether a suite is legal and safe at secondarysuites.calgary.ca.
With the incentive program still available and growing interest citywide, The City remains focused on expanding housing choice and safety. Together, we can work toward registering the next 10,000 secondary suites.
Learn more about building or verifying a suite at calgary.ca/suites.
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