Calgary's Secondary Suite Incentive Program: Get Up to $10,000 for Your Legal Suite

Calgary's Secondary Suite Incentive Program

Great news for Calgary homeowners! The City of Calgary provides substantial financial support to homeowners creating legal, safe secondary suites. This initiative, approved by Council in 2023, receives funding through municipal budgets and the Housing Accelerator Fund.

Financial Support Available

Qualifying homeowners can receive up to $10,000 in reimbursement for safety elements. Additional funding is also available:

• Up to $1,900 for ENERGY STAR certified windows and heating equipment
• Up to $7,500 for accessibility features accommodating mobility challenges

This means you could potentially receive up to $19,400 in total incentives for your secondary suite project!

Key Safety Elements Covered

The program reimburses installation costs for essential safety features:

| Safety Element | Maximum Reimbursement |

|----------------|----------------------|

| Egress Windows | $1,500 |

| Hardwired Smoke/CO Alarms | $1,000 |

| Protected Exiting | $1,000 |

| Smoke-tight Barriers | $4,000 |

| Split Heating/Separate Air Systems | $6,000 |

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the incentive program, applicants must:

1. Own the property throughout the entire process
2. Obtain an active building permit for a secondary suite (within the main dwelling, not detached/backyard units)
3. Limit participation to one application per person
4. Complete mandatory eLearning course before applying
5. Begin qualifying work only after applying to the program

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Apply for your building permit first via apply.calgary.ca
2. Complete the mandatory eLearning course
3. Submit your incentive application
4. Wait for approval (typically 5-7 business days for complete submissions)
5. Begin construction only after receiving approval
6. Submit receipts for reimbursement after work is completed

Important Restrictions

As of June 3, 2025, suites receiving incentive funds cannot obtain Short-Term Rental licenses for two years following funding approval. This ensures the program supports long-term rental housing in Calgary.

Why Build a Legal Suite?

Beyond the financial incentives, legal secondary suites offer:

• Insurance Protection - Illegal suites may void your home insurance
• Liability Coverage - Legal suites meet all safety standards
• Mortgage Benefits - Banks can count legal suite income for mortgage purposes
• Property Value - Legal suites add significant value to your home
• Peace of Mind - No risk of being forced to remove the suite

How TrekStone Can Help

At TrekStone, we specialize in legal secondary suite development and can help you maximize your incentive eligibility. Our services include:

• Free consultation to assess your project
• Full permit coordination with the City of Calgary
• Installation of all qualifying safety elements
• Documentation support for your incentive application
• Code-compliant construction that passes inspection the first time

Contact us today to discuss how we can help you take advantage of Calgary's Secondary Suite Incentive Program while building a high-quality, legal suite.

*Source: [City of Calgary Secondary Suite Incentive Program](https://www.calgary.ca/development/home-building/secondary-suite-incentive-program.html)*