The City of Red Deer is currently reviewing the regulations for backyard suites across the community. Backyard suites, also known as garden suites, laneway homes, or carriage houses, are small, self-contained homes located in the backyard of a main residential dwelling.

Council has passed First Reading of a Zoning Bylaw Amendment that would change Backyard Suite regulations. In summary, the key changes proposed for Backyard Suites include:

• Building height: Maximum height of 5.5 m for Backyard Suites built at grade, or 7.4 m for Backyard Suites built over a garage.
• Introducing a maximum floor area of 75m² (807 ft²), while retaining the existing 75% of the principal dwelling rule – whichever is less.
• In any neighbourhood with character statements and overlays, Backyard Suites shall be subject to these regulations.
• Variance Powers: Any regulation in the bylaw relating to Backyard Suites may be relaxed by the Development Authority to a maximum of 15% in neighbourhood with overlays or character statements.

View existing regulations.

Our goal is to ensure that regulations support safe, livable, and appropriately scaled backyard suites while reflecting the needs and character of our neighbourhoods.

Backyard Suites will remain in Red Deer, this is about fine tuning regulations.

A Public Hearing is scheduled for September 15, 2025. See Upcoming Public Hearings - The City of Red Deer for details. Feedback collected through City-led in-person and online engagement that has already occurred will be included as part of the Public Hearing package. If you have previously submitted comments through other avenues (emails, letters) and want them considered as part of the formal Public Hearing process, please resubmit. Instructions are available here: Upcoming Public Hearings - The City of Red Deer