The City of Regina will be expanding where a backyard suite can be built.

At last week’s city council meeting, council voted to allow developers and homeowners to build backyard suites anywhere in the City.

Previously backyard suites were only permitted in three areas of the City as part of a series of pilot projects. The pilot project suites were located in the Greens on Gardiner, Harbour Landing and six infill sites in existing neighbourhoods.

The City classifies backyard suites as a dwelling unit separate from a primary dwelling on a residential lot.

The motion will also extend a five-year, 25 per cent tax exemption for council-approved backyard suites to residents in some areas.

In a report, the city administration said backyard suites could come in two formats.

The first formate would be a two-storey building with the main floor as a garage for the main residential structure and potential for the tenant of the backyard suite. The second storey of the building would then serve as the residential unit.

The second format is a single-storey ground-oriented backyard suite that would resemble any other accessory building such as a garage but would be fully equipped as a living space.

The City believes up to 15 backyard suites could be built annually.

The next step will see City have to make changes to bylaws and bring those changes back to the council for final approval.