Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program

The ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) Program offers financial support and tools to help residents build or convert rental units on their property for long term rental. The goal is to reduce financial barriers and support long-term housing growth in Jasper. 

Purpose of the Program

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) help increase housing density in a smart and gentle way. By adding small homes like basement suites or garage apartments on existing lots, communities can grow without needing large apartment buildings. This type of housing fills the gap between single-detached homes and apartment buildings. ADUs make great use of space, provide more rental options, and help keep neighborhoods diverse and affordable. 

The Accessory Dwelling Unit Program helps people add new housing units to their property or upgrade existing, unapproved units to meet local rules and building codes. 

Program Details

The Municipality is providing grants to residents, to help cover some of the costs involved in developing rental housing. The funding comes from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).

Grant amounts are in the form of reimbursements for eligible expenses:

  • Up to $30,000 for a net new unit (where there was no ADU before)
  • Up to $10,000 for a previously built but unpermitted ADU (for example: conversion of PHA to ADU for long-term rental use)

The ADU Incentive Program is available to all Jasper leaseholders—to convert or add to existing buildings or for new buildings.  

The total budget for the program is $800,000 over three years. Municipal Administration will monitor program uptake and report back to Council on its success.

Important:

Funds cannot be used to construct, renovate or convert long term rentals into short-term or vacation rentals. To make sure this requirement is followed, the Municipality will require successful applicants to sign a Funding Agreement, in place for 10 years, stipulating all funded units are used for long-term rentals only. You can review the agreement to see if this program is right for you HERE. 


An Accessory Dwelling Unit is a building or part of a building, that is not the primary home on site. It can be:

  • A basement suite
  • A garage suite
  • Any other self-contained unit on the same lot as a primary residence

Yes, on most residential properties. Accessory Dwellings diversify housing options, increase housing supply through gentle density and create an income stream for property owners. 

 If your property is zoned any of the following, an ADU is allowed on the site. Please note that not all forms of ADU are allowed in all zones: 

  • R1 – Single Dwelling 

  • R2 – Two Dwelling 

  • R2H – Old Town Jasper Historic 

  • R4 – Compact Lot 

  • CCWa – Cabin Creek West One Unit Dwelling 

  • CCWb – Cabin Creek West 2 Unit Dwelling 

  • CCWc – Cabin Creek West Multi Unit Dwelling 

  • R3a – Multi Unit Small Lot Dwelling 

Contact the Urban Design and Standards department if you are unsure townplanning@jasper-alberta.ca   

Yes, generally every Accessory Dwelling requires both a Development Permit and a Building Permit. These are available through the Parks Canada Jasper Realty Office. 

We recommend you meet with one of our town planners to determine what you’ll need for permit applications. Contact the Urban Design and Standards department at townplanning@jasper-alberta.ca  

Information about the development process is available here.

  • Eligible costs include up to $2,500 in design costs for a net new Accessory Dwelling Unit 

  • Fees associated with permitting 

  • Life safety items 

  • Basic construction costs 

  • Site improvement costs (not including any required bonds) for a net new Accessory Dwelling 

  • Not available retroactively for Accessory Dwellings that have received building permit approval prior to April 15th, 2025  

  • Items that have a high range of discretion such as appliances, furniture, flooring, and window coverings  

  • Landscaping and off-site improvements, performance bonds 

  • Costs that do not constitute a basic construction cost of an Accessory Dwelling


Fill out an application through our website, or by downloading this fillable PDF.

If you prefer, there are paper copies are available at the Administration Office at 303 Pyramid Lake Road.

For assistance with your application, please contact Municipal Housing Staff at housing@jasper-alberta.ca