Laneway & Garden Suite Permit in Calgary, AB

Permits for laneway houses, garden suites, and accessory dwelling units.

Total Issued
865
All time
Avg. Processing
67 days
Application to approval
Active Permits
305
Currently open
Median Processing
38 days
50th percentile

Where Are Laneway/ADU Permits Being Issued?

Permit Volume Over Time

Processing Time Trend

Average days from application to approval

Year-over-Year Growth

Percentage change in permits issued vs previous year

Top Neighbourhoods

Neighbourhood Permits Issued Share
CURRIE BARRACKS 70 8.1%
MCKENZIE TOWNE 40 4.6%
INGLEWOOD 29 3.4%
BRIDGELAND/RIVERSIDE 25 2.9%
BOWNESS 23 2.7%
RENFREW 23 2.7%
RUNDLE 21 2.4%
TARADALE 17 2.0%
WHITEHORN 16 1.8%
MOUNT PLEASANT 15 1.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a laneway & garden suite permit in Calgary?

Yes, most laneway & garden suite projects in Calgary require a building permit from the city. Based on our data, Calgary has issued 865 laneway & garden suite permits to date, making it one of the most common permit types in the city. Requirements vary depending on the scope and size of the project. Contact Calgary's building department for specific requirements for your project.

How long does it take to get a laneway & garden suite permit in Calgary?

Based on our analysis of 865 permits, the average processing time for a laneway & garden suite permit in Calgary is 67 days from application to approval. Processing times have been decreasing in recent years. In 2026, the average was 81 days.

How many laneway & garden suite permits are issued in Calgary each year?

Calgary issues approximately 207 laneway & garden suite permits per year. Our data covers 2009 to present, with a total of 865 permits tracked. The number of laneway & garden suite permits has generally increased over time.

Which neighbourhoods in Calgary have the most laneway & garden suite permits?

The top neighbourhoods for laneway & garden suite permits in Calgary are CURRIE BARRACKS (70 permits), MCKENZIE TOWNE (40 permits), and INGLEWOOD (29 permits). These areas account for 16% of all laneway & garden suite permits in the city.

How much does a laneway & garden suite project cost in Calgary?

Based on construction values reported on 865 permits, the average laneway & garden suite project in Calgary has a construction value of $118,065. The median value is $120,728, which may be more representative as it excludes outliers. Note that this is the total project construction cost, not the permit fee.

Are laneway & garden suite permits increasing or decreasing in Calgary?

Laneway/ADU permit activity in Calgary has been increasing in recent years. In 2025, 207 permits were issued, compared to 59 in 2022.

What is the laneway & garden suite permit process in Calgary?

The typical process for a laneway & garden suite permit in Calgary involves: 1) Preparing your project plans and documentation, 2) Submitting your application to Calgary's building department, 3) Paying the applicable permit fees, 4) Waiting for plan review and approval (average 67 days), 5) Receiving your permit and beginning construction, and 6) Scheduling required inspections during and after construction.

How does Calgary compare to other Canadian cities for laneway & garden suite permits?

Calgary is one of 14 major Canadian cities we track for laneway & garden suite permit data. With an average processing time of 67 days, you can compare Calgary's laneway & garden suite permit statistics including volume trends, processing times, and neighbourhood breakdowns with other cities on our national laneway & garden suite permit comparison page.