The City of Saskatoon, Community Services Department, has developed occupancy standards that make it more cost
effective for owners to upgrade their existing suites and obtain the necessary permits, while at the same time, ensuring better and safer accommodations for renters.
The desire to legalize suites in existing one-unit dwellings was identified by the residents of the City during the Plan Saskatoon initiative. As a result, in 1999 the Zoning Bylaw was modified to provide greater opportunity to legalize suites throughout Saskatoon. However, it quickly became apparent that the majority of existing suites in the City would not meet the requirements of the National Building Code, and the cost to upgrade to the full extent of the code would be cost prohibitive.
In seeking a solution to this problem, the City of Saskatoon, in consultation with the community, adopted new occupancy standards for existing suites, which focus on life and health safety code issues.
As of January 1, 2002, all existing suites, that were built prior to January 1, 1999, will have to comply with these revised occupancy and zoning requirements. Those suites built after January 1, 1999 must fully comply with the National Building Code.
Legalizing an Existing Suite
In order to legalize an existing suite, an applicant may:
- Complete the application form (PDF).
- Submit application, fee and any appropriate supporting materials to the Planning and Development Branch, 222-3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5.
Legalizing Suites Process
Planning and Development Branch Review
Once a complaint, referral or application is received, the Development Services Branch will:
- Check the Zoning Bylaw 8770 to verify the permitted use for your property;
- Check building permit records to determine if there is a permit for a second dwelling unit;
- Check plumbing permit records to determine what plumbing fixtures have been approved and inspected; and
- Perform an initial on-site inspection.
During the on-site inspection, a Development Officer will determine:
- What other zoning issues may exist with your suite;
- What plumbing fixtures have been installed; and
- What building construction items need to be addressed such as ventilation, stairwell and fire safety, and window and door specifications.
We talk with you.
Our staff will advise you of any non-complying situations and outline what needs to be done to legalize the suite, including zoning requirements, building, and plumbing matters, or what need to be done to remove the suite.
It's your choice.
Once you have sat down with our staff and they have outlined your alternatives, it is your choice to remove the suite, find an alternate legal use, or upgrade to a legal suite. NOTE: If you do not upgrade or remove the suite, Planning and Development Branch will be required to take appropriate action.
If You Choose to Remove the Suite...
The Planning and Development Branch will follow-up to ensure all remedial work is completed. NOTE: If you remove the suite, it may only be re-installed in full compliance with the National Building Code.
If You Choose to Find an Alternative Legal Use for the Suite...
The Planning and Development Branch will confirm with you all necessary work and whether or not a building and/or plumbing permit is required.
If improvements are required to legalize the suite:
- You must supply plans based upon the improvements recommended by the Planning and Development Branch; and
- You may need to apply for a building permit from the Building Standards Branch and/or hire a plumber to apply for a plumbing permit.
- Separate permits are required for existing plumbing work that was done without a permit or for new plumbing work.
Once your building and/or plumbing permit applications have been received by Building Standards, they will:
- Review the permit application(s) and plans in accordance with the initial inspection report prepared by the Development Officer;
- Approve the permit(s) and collect the applicable fees;
- Perform inspections during construction;
- Issue an Advisory of Deficiencies for certain minor plumbing deficiencies; and
- Advise the Planning and Development Branch when the work has been satisfactorily completed.
When all work related to the building and/or plumbing permits is complete, Development Services will:
- Issue an unqualified Occupancy Permit; or
- Issue a qualified Occupancy Permit when an Advisory of Deficiencies has been issued.
If the building inspector observes that work is not proceeding according to the building permit, they will advise the Planning and Development Branch, who will commence appropriate enforcement action.
If neither a building nor plumbing permit are required, Planning and Development Branch will:
- Advise the owner to proceed with any work;
- Follow-up to ensure the work is completed;
- Perform a final inspection; and
- Issue an unqualified Occupancy Permit.