Airdrie saw a 33 per cent increase in accessory suite applications in early 2025 following a bylaw overhaul approved in December, according to a six-month update accepted by council Tuesday.
Between January and May, the City received development permit applications for 49 secondary suites and seven garage suites. The same period in 2024 saw 40 secondary suite applications and just two garage suites.
"This represents an overall increase of 33.33% in accessory suite applications," the report states, referring to permit activity from January through May.
In a section titled Early Observations, the report adds: "The increase in interest may also be linked to the affordability and flexibility of accessory suites as a housing option."
Council had requested a six-month update on three specific metrics: the distribution of suites between old and new neighbourhoods; a comparison of approvals year-over-year; and early uptake in semi-detached homes and cul-de-sacs.
Bylaw B-30/2024, adopted on December 17, 2024, expanded permissions for garage and semi-detached suites and aimed to reduce permitting complexity. The bylaw supports the City Plan, the Affordable Housing Principled Action Plan, and the Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan.
Fewer cancellations, more garage suite interest
The report notes a decrease in cancellations or withdrawals, with just one application pulled in early 2025 compared to five during the same period last year.
"The decrease in cancellations or withdrawals (from five to just one) suggests that applicants are finding the revised regulations easier to navigate," the report states. "This reduction may point to a more efficient, transparent, and predictable permitting process, leading to fewer instances of applicants opting out or abandoning their plans midway."
"The jump from two garage suite applications in early 2024 to seven in early 2025 points to a positive response to the new regulations, which have likely made the process more straightforward and appealing for homeowners interested in developing garage suites."
Semi-detached suite approvals begin under new bylaw
The 2024 bylaw allowed suites in semi-detached homes for the first time. The City received two such applications between January and May.
"Two of the 49 secondary suites are located within semi-detached dwellings," the report states.
No secondary suites were approved on cul-de-sacs in early 2025. One garage suite application was located on a cul-de-sac.
Applications remain geographically balanced
The City defines "new neighbourhoods" as areas still under development or located within the 2012 post-annexation boundary.
In 2025, 24 per cent of secondary suite applications and 29 per cent of garage suite applications were located in older neighbourhoods. That mirrors 2024, when 29 per cent of all accessory suite applications were in older areas.
"This indicates that growth is occurring evenly and not straining older infrastructure," the report states.
Permit approvals and completions
In 2024, a total of 130 accessory suite development permits were approved — 88 secondary suites and 28 garage suites.
In early 2025, 48 building permits for accessory suites were issued. One of those permits has been closed. The City also issued one building permit each for a garden suite and a garage suite.
Ten of the 2025 building permits originated from development approvals granted in 2024 or earlier. In 2024, 107 building permits were either issued or closed, with 20 originating from 2023 or earlier.
The report confirms that no garden suite development permit applications were received in 2024. One garden suite permit was issued in 2025.
Dashboard tracks activity in real time
"The City has recently created a secondary suites dashboard which provides real-time spatial information on secondary suites such as location, permit status, and processing times."
The dashboard, launched earlier this year, is available online.
The six-month update was accepted as a consent agenda item on June 3. No amendments or alternatives were presented.
"The early trends suggest that the new regulations are successfully driving more accessory suite development across the city, with no disproportionate impact on older neighborhoods."
Further monitoring will continue throughout 2025 to track whether the upward trend in applications continues.
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