You can begin the process to make your suite conforming. This can take two trajectories, depending on whether your current zoning allows for secondary suites or not.
If your property is zoned for secondary suites, you can simply apply for a development permit and building permit. If you do not have zoning for a secondary suite, you would need to have the property rezoned in order to make your suite conforming.
You can find out what zone your property is in, my visiting Edmonton Maps (
http://maps.edmonton.ca/map.aspx). Once you have entered the site, use the “Locate” tab, then select “Zoning”, then “Locate Title by Address.”
Here are the zoning bylaws:
http://webdocs.edmonton.ca/InfraPlan/zoningbylaw/bylaw_12800.htm
Note that secondary suites are generally not allowed in semi-detached properties. Most detached single family homes can be eligible for secondary suites or garden suites. The bylaw specific to secondary suites can be found here:
http://webdocs.edmonton.ca/InfraPlan/zoningbylaw/bylaw_12800.htm
Also note that there are often overlays that modify the underlying zoning. You'll need to check if your property is subject to an zoning overlay.
WITH FAVOURABLE ZONING
Here's what you'll need:
1. If your zoning is favourable, you'll still need to get a development permit and building permit. Some info here:
http://www.edmonton.ca/city_governm...ndary-suites-garage-suites-garden-suites.aspx
2. Your suite will need to conform to all fire and safety regulations. This may involve renovations, depending on the configuration of your suite:
http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/ss/1217_Secondary_suite_standards.pdf
WITH REZONING
We are currently in the process of rezoning a 4-plex to make the suites conforming. I suggest that you connect with the planning department to explore this. There is a substantial fee to apply for rezoning, so you'll want to know you have a good shot at success before you begin. The main criteria are:
1. You will need to send notice out to all of your neighbours. The planning department will guide you through this process. If there is strong objections from the neighbourhood, that may become an issue. In our case, every single neighbour was in favour. Another reason it is good to keep relationships healthy with your neighbours.
2. Your suites will need to meet all the requirements of the safety and fire codes as above.
3. At the end of the whole process you have to go in front of City Council for approval. They are going to weigh the neighbourhood's response to your application. They are also going to consider the planning department's advice. In conversation with the planing department, they can't tell you for sure what they will advise, but you can get some indication. If they tell you approval is highly unlikely, you may want to reconsider the application early on.