Secondary and Detached suites provide an option for housing in our community. It is important to ensure that community members are fully informed about the regulations and uses of secondary and detached suites.
The key to creating a stock of good-quality legal suites is the full cooperation and understanding of key groups of stakeholders in our community.
Due to recent changes in provincial housing legislation, suites are now permitted within most residential zones, but in order to be legal they must comply with the BC Building Code and all municipal regulations. Please contact the Development Services Department for more information.
Where permitted, Secondary Suites are subject to the following regulations:
- Secondary Suites are permitted in all residential zones when a single family dwelling or a duplex are the principal dwelling;
- No more than one Secondary Suite is permitted per principal dwelling;
The maximum floor area of a Secondary Suite must not exceed the lesser of 90 m2 or 40% of the habitable floor area of the principal dwelling unit;
- The Secondary Suite must meet BC Building Code requirements for secondary suites;
- Secondary Suites shall not be subdivided or strata-titled; and
- Secondary suites are not permitted in detached suites.
Where permitted, Detached Suites are subject to the following regulations:
- no more than two Detached Suites are permitted on a parcel in the R1, R1A, R-2, R-4 and R-4A zones;
- Detached Suites are only permitted on parcels which contain a principal dwelling;
- a Detached Suite is permitted within an Accessory Building;
- the Detached Suite must meet BC Building Code requirements.
The current zoning bylaw also has a provision for Caretaker Suites on non-residential parcels. Please contact Development Services for more information.
Enforcement of Illegal Suites
The concern of illegal suites and its related impacts were raised to Council in 2015 and have been ongoing since. Factors such as the number of new developments adding a second suite post-occupancy, the marketing of the homes with suites to absent landlords (living in external communities), and the current economic climate which has people seeking additional revenue sources, have contributed to the increase of illegal suites and resulted in negative impacts to the neighborhoods that they are located in. In addition to suites being illegally built, meaning without proper permits and possibly constructed without proper life and safety measures in place, other concerns that arise are parking issues, traffic concerns, community safety, and unsightly properties and streets in those areas.
The City continues to educate the construction community and general public regarding the construction of suites, and staff continue to record complaints and use the enforcement approach as provided in Section 57 of the Community Charter. The intent of this enforcement approach is to reduce and resolve health and safety issues resulting from illegal suites and convey it formally through legal notices on the property title. View the list of current properties with illegal suites.