Carriage House

A carriage house (garage suite) is a secondary dwelling unit located above a detached garage.

In the Town of Crossfield, carriage houses are not permitted in all areas and are considered at the Town’s discretion.

Before planning your project, you must contact the Town to discuss your proposal.

Carriage houses:

• are only allowed in select land use districts
• are typically considered a discretionary use
• must meet specific design, servicing, and site requirements

Applications submitted without appropriate zoning cannot be supported.

Administration will review:

• your property’s zoning and land use district
• applicable Land Use Bylaw regulations
• site considerations (lot size, access, servicing)

A Development Permit is required for any proposed Carriage House.

The Development Permit review considers the following:

• building size, height and placement
• parking and access
• privacy and neighbouring impacts
• overall site layout and parcel coverage
• applicable Land Use Bylaw regulations

All discretionary uses are subject to eligibility and review. Approval is given on a case-by-case basis and is not guaranteed.

After obtaining a Development Permit, a Building Permit is required, before you begin construction of your new building.

A Building Permit ensures your project meets the Alberta Building Code, including but not limited to:

• structural safety
• building systems
• energy efficiency requirements

Please visit the Building Permit Application Checklist for required documentation that will be needed in your submission. 

Once your Development Permit and Building Permit have been approved, you can begin preparing for construction.

When you receive your Building Permit, please ensure you read the Plans Review issued by the Safety Codes Officer. The Plans Review outlines all building codes associated with your project, including required inspection stages.

Before starting any work on your property, the following requirements must be completed:

Line Locates (Required Before Digging)

Before any ground disturbance, you must request line locates through
Utility Safety Partners.

This service identifies underground utilities (sewer, gas, electrical, water, etc.) to help prevent damage, service disruptions, or injury.

Lot Grading

Before construction begins, it is important to understand how your lot will be graded. 

Lot grading ensures that water drains away from your building and toward appropriate drainage areas, helping to prevent water issues on your property and neighbouring properties. 

A signed Grade Slip is required at Development Permit Application Submission. The applicant is required to follow the Town of Crossfield's Lot Grading Bylaw, including the submission of the final Grade Certificate. 

Inspection Requirements

Construction must follow a series of required inspections at key stages.

Before starting, ensure you understand:

• when inspections are required
• how to schedule inspections
• what must be completed before each inspection

See your Plans Review for full details.

⚠️ Important:
If multiple inspections are required, do not proceed to the next stage of construction until the required inspection has been completed and approved.

In addition to a Building Permit, separate permits are required for:

• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Gas

These permits are typically applied for by your contractor.

Building a carriage house involves multiple steps, permits, and requirements. If you’re unsure where to start, the Town is here to help.

Contact the Development & Planning team if you:

• are unsure what permits are required
• need help understanding application requirements
• want to confirm zoning or property details
• would like to discuss your project before applying

Early coordination can help prevent delays and ensure your application is complete.