Short answer: Calgary has 26,750 registered secondary suites, and many more homes could take one. The likeliest are detached houses built between about 1955 and 1995, with full basements and lots big enough for a separate entrance and a parking stall. In Rundle, Marlborough Park and Dover alone, 4,542 homes fit that profile and have no registered suite.
What makes a home a good suite candidate
- A detached house, since suites in attached homes are harder to make work.
- Built roughly 1955 to 1995. Homes from that era usually have full-height basements, and most were built before suites were common in new construction.
- A lot of 4,500 sq ft or more, with room for a separate entrance and a parking stall.
- Zoning that allows a suite today. Check the current district, since many lots changed on 4 August 2026.
The numbers in three communities
Detached homes built 1955 to 1995, on lots of 4,500 sq ft or more, assessed between $250,000 and $650,000, with no registered suite at the address:
| Community | Homes |
|---|---|
| Rundle | 1,771 |
| Marlborough Park | 1,709 |
| Dover | 1,062 |
| Total | 4,542 |
Registered means permitted
The City's registry only lists suites that went through the permit process. A basement suite that was never permitted won't appear there, and it won't count as a legal suite when you sell or insure.
Sources: City of Calgary open data: property assessments and the secondary suite registry, September 2026.
Investment property is my other specialty, mostly flips and rentals. Tell me what you're looking for and I'll run the numbers with you. Looking for a home that can take a suite?
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