Garage suites

A Garage Suite is a self-contained Accessory Dwelling Unit with its own kitchen, sleeping and bathroom facilities and located above a detached garage. The first floor of the garage remains designed for the shelter or temporary storage of vehicles for the property.

Does Parks Canada have an example of what an acceptable design for a Garage 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 and the Interim Policy for Garage Suites.

Rear elevation plan (facing alley)

Rear elevation plan (facing alley) — Text version

This rear elevation plan (facing alley) shows the view of the garage suite building from the alley. The eave height from grade is 3502 millimetres (11’ 6”) and the roof height from grade is 3502 millimeters (11’ 6”). The primary roof slope has a 12:12 slope. The plan is in black and white but shows the exterior materials consisting of rock foundation, horizontal wood siding, aluminium roofing, overhead garage door with vertical triangular windowpanes, and two smaller triangular windows on the second floor.

First floor plan

First floor plan — Text version

This first floor plan demonstrates images of two cars parked in the garage, an overhead garage door, an exterior entry door with the outswing, and a set of exterior stairs. The plan shows that the exterior width of the garage is 6096 millimeters (21’) with a length of 6399 millimeters (20’). The interior width of the garage is 6000 millimeters (19’ 8 ¼ “) and contains a note: garage will fit a full-size car and large SUV. The exterior stairs have a width of 1970 millimeters (6’ 5 1/2 “) and a length of 2964 millimeters (9’ 8 3/4 “).

Front elevation plan (facing principle building)

Front elevation plan (facing principle building) — Text version

The front elevation plan (facing the principle building) shows the view of the garage suite building from the front street alley. The eave height from grade is 3502 millimetres (11’ 6”) and the roof height from grade is 3502 millimeters (11’ 6”). Exterior stairs are shown leading from the main floor exterior door to the second floor exterior door. Two vertical posts starting from grade to the roof support the second floor landing. The primary roof slope has a 12:12 slope. The plan is in black and white but shows the exterior materials consisting of fieldstone wall base, horizontal wood siding, aluminium roofing, overhead garage door with vertical panels, and two smaller triangular windows on the second floor.

Second floor plan

Second floor plan — Text version

This second floor plan shows a bachelor style garage suite with one large room containing a kitchen, bar seating, murphy bed, couch, side table, coffee table, and a separate bathroom with shower, sink, and toilet. The exterior dimension of the garage suite is 6096 millimeters (20’) by 6399 millimeters (21’). The exterior stairs have a width of 1970 millimeters (6’ 5 1/2 “) and a length of 2964 millimeters (9’ 8 3/4 “).

Side elevation plan

Side elevation plan — Text version

The side elevation plan shows the view of the garage suite building from the side. The height dimensions from grade to the roof ridge is 3502 millimeters (11’ 6”). Exterior stairs are shown leading from the main floor grade to the second floor landing. Two vertical posts starting from grade to the roof support the second floor landing. The plan is in black and white but shows the exterior materials consisting of a fieldstone wall base, horizontal wood siding, aluminium roofing, overhead garage door with vertical panes, and a vertical triangular windowpane on the second floor.

Why are garage suites limited to the R1, R2, and R2H Districts?

A Garage Suite is allowed in a detached garage located in the One-Unit Dwelling District (R1), Two-Unit Dwelling District (R2), and the Old Town Jasper Historic District (R2H). The other residential districts do not permit detached garages (a suite above an attached, or built-in garage, would be considered a secondary suite subject to the Interim Policy for Secondary Suites).

What are the general requirements for a Garage Suite?

The general requirements for the main floor are similar to a Garage with a few modifications:

• A maximum of one Garage is permitted per Site.
• Although a bathroom on the first floor is not permitted, plumbing that services the Garage Suite above (hot water tank, heating boiler, washer and dryer) are permitted as long as they do not obstruct the garage vehicle parking stalls.
• A detached garage shall not contain any habitable rooms on the main floor.
• The Garage should not be located over utility lines. If there is no alternative, permission from the utility provider shall be obtained by the applicant.
• The Garage must be located at least 0.9 m from the back lane or property lines.
• The Garage must be at least 1.5m from the Primary Building (clear of all projections) or 6 m if located opposite a wall containing a window of a habitable room.
• 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 Garage Suite?

1. Garage Site Coverage (footprint) - maximum of 56 m² or 10% of the Site Area whichever is the lesser (please refer to the garage development webpage for details on how to calculate your site’s Garage Maximum Site Coverage).


2. Roof Form
   
   • Maximum roof height (6.6 m);
   • Maximum eave height (3.5 m);
   • Roof slope minimum 6:12 slope with upper story incorporating the use of dormers;
   • Dormers shall not be more than: 50% of the building width on either the front or back elevations; or 75%of the building width on either side elevation;


3. Exterior Entrance
   
   • If located on a Site with back lane access, neither the exterior entrance nor the unenclosed exterior stairway shall face the back lane;
   • Shall have an unobstructed hardened (poured concrete or sidewalk blocks) sidewalk accessible from the front public street to the exterior Garage Suite landing, 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 Garage Suite clearly visible at the front of the Site as viewed from the street.


4. Parking
   
   • For a Site with back lane, the parking shall be accessed from the back lane;
   • For a Site without back lane access, the 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 Garage Suite if the Site has a minimum of One (1) required on-site parking stall for each living unit (including all Dwelling Units, Secondary Suites, and Garage Suites), all in accordance with the Land Use Policy and all interim Accessory Dwelling Unit policies, for the Site;
   • For Sites without back lane access, the additional on-site parking to accommodate a Garage Suite may be in the front setback if it does not conflict with the required front yard landscaping requirements of the district it is located within.

Ensure the above summary requirements are demonstrated in your development permit application submission package. The full list of requirements for a Garage Suite are listed in the Interim Policy for Garage Suites.

What do I need to submit for a Development Permit for a Garage 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 and development permit application submission requirements.

The above required submissions, or any questions regarding the above, may be submitted to the Jasper Development Office at: jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca.