Garden suites

A Garden Suite is a self-contained Accessory Dwelling Unit with its own kitchen, sleeping and bathroom facilities located in the backyard of a lot behind the main house. A garden suite may be constructed in most residential districts.

Does Parks Canada have an example of what an acceptable design for a Garden Suite in Jasper may look like?

The following garage suite images provide an example of a design consistent with the Town of Jasper Land Use Policy. Garden suites are similar in size and form to garage suites without the requirement for having a parking stall located within the same structure, allowing for additional living spaces.

What are the general requirements for a Garden Suite?

The general requirements for a Garden Suite include:

• Garden suites must be developed to the applicable building code requirements associated with residential buildings.
• The garden suite must be at least 3.0 m from the Primary Building (clear of all projections).
• Cladding (roof and siding) should match the home, unless the home’s cladding is not in conformance with the Jasper Colour Palette or Approved Materials, in which case the garage should conform to the Jasper Colour Palette – Building Exterior Colour and Materials.

What are the specific requirements for a Garden Suite?

Specific requirements for Garden Suites are outlined in Section 31 of the Land Use Policy.

1. Garden Suite Site Coverage (footprint) - maximum of 20% of the Site Area (this calculation includes the combined site coverage of all Accessory Buildings and any Garage Suite on the property).
2. Location
   • Must be located within a Rear or Side Yard
   • A Garden Suite must have a minimum Side Yard and Rear Yard Setback of 1.5 m, unless the following applies:
     
     1. it is built on a common Property Line and may have a minimum interior Side Yard Setback of 0 m;
     2. it is in the Cabin Creek West Multi-Unit Dwelling District (CCWc) and may have a minimum interior Side Yard Setback of 1.2 m.
3. Roof Form
   • Maximum ridge line height: 6.6 m
   • Maximum eave line height: 3.5 m
   • Minimum roof slope: 6:12
   • Dormers shall not be more than: 50% of the building width on either the front or rear elevations; or 75%of the building width on either side elevation;
4. Exterior Entrance
   If located on a Site with back lane access;
• The exterior entrance may not face the back lane;
• Shall have an unobstructed hardened (poured concrete or sidewalk blocks) sidewalk accessible from the front public street to the garden suite entrance, with a maximum distance of 30 m (unless exceedance is approved by the Municipality of Jasper Fire Department), for emergency service access;
• Shall have the civic address of the Garden Suite clearly visible at the front of the Site as viewed from the street.
5. Parking
   • For a Site with back lane access, on-site parking shall be accessed from the back lane;
   • For a Site without back lane access, on-site parking shall be accessed from the street unless it is a corner Site in which it may be accessed by either the front or side street;
   • No additional on-site parking shall be required for a Garden Suite if the Site has a minimum of One (1) required on-site parking stall for each primary dwelling unit, all in accordance with the Land Use Policy, for the Site;

What do I need to submit for a Development Permit for a Garden Suite and what is the process?

The required development permit processes and submission requirements are the same as a garage. Please refer to the garage development webpage and follow the development permit application submission requirements.

Ensure the above summary requirements are demonstrated in your development permit application submission package.