{"title":"Abbotsford secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/abbotsford","name":"Abbotsford","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Abbotsford","url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in the City of Abbotsford. One secondary suite is allowed in every single detached dwelling, but a coach house or garden suite only where your zone lists it. Adding a suite needs a building permit and City registration: $260 at permit issue, plus a $270 yearly infrastructure fee.","aliases":["basement suite abbotsford","coach house abbotsford","carriage house abbotsford","garden suite abbotsford","register secondary suite abbotsford"],"cost":"$100 application fee (credited to the permit fee); $260 registration at issuance; $270 a year infrastructure fee on the property tax bill. Suite removal $75 ($260 for multiple suites).","how_long":"Not stated by the City. Ask the Building Permits Division.","where":[{"type":"online","label":"Apply online","value":"https://services.abbotsford.ca/portal"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Permits Division","value":"604-864-5525"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Permits Division","value":"building-info@abbotsford.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning Services (zoning questions)","value":"604-864-5510"},{"type":"online","label":"Report an unregistered suite","value":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/bylaw-service-request"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Secondary Suites, City of Abbotsford","url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/buildingpermits/secondary-suites"},{"title":"Submission Checklist, Secondary Suite (PDF)","url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/sites/default/files/2025-02/2025%20Submission%20Checklist%20-%20Residential%20-%20Secondary%20Suite%20Fillable.pdf"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014 (browse)","url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/content/coa/coabylaws/z/zoning/?xsl=/templates/browse.xsl"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Abbotsford building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Abbotsford building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Abbotsford zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Abbotsford permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/mission","name":"Mission","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/mission/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley-township","name":"Township of Langley","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley-township/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/chilliwack","name":"Chilliwack","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/chilliwack/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langley","name":"Langley City","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langley/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/maple-ridge","name":"Maple Ridge","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/maple-ridge/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/pitt-meadows","name":"Pitt Meadows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/pitt-meadows/secondary-suite/"}],"topic":{"title":"Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite/"},"facts":{"suite_allowed":{"label":"Secondary suite allowed","value":"One secondary suite is allowed in every single detached dwelling. In the A1 to A6, RR, CR, SR, SRH, RMF and some N zones the suite must also meet that zone's own conditions. Suites must be registered with the City.","short":"Yes, one per detached house; register with City","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.3.8(a), (b)","quotes":["one Secondary Suite is permitted in all Single Detached Dwellings.","Where permitted, a Secondary Suite in the A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, RR, CR, SR,"]},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/buildingpermits/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, City of Abbotsford","section":"Secondary Suites page","quotes":["Secondary suites are required to be registered with the City."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Coach house: RR, CR, SR and SRH (lot over 0.4 ha), SSMUH 1, 2, 2-g, 3 and 4, TH1, RS6-C and RCH zones. Garden suite: SSMUH 1, 2, 2-g, 3 and 4, TH1, TH2 and RS7. Only where the zone lists it. A zones list neither; N and CD zones not checked.","short":"Yes, in listed zones (coach house and garden suite)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.2.12(d)","quotes":["Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing shall not include a Garden Suite or Coach House except"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","section":"s. 351.1 (SSMUH 1)","quotes":[".6 Short-Term Rental Accommodation .7 Boarding .8 Coach House .9 Garden Suite .10 Home Occupation - Level 1",".7 Boarding .8 Coach House .9 Garden Suite .10 Home Occupation - Level 1 .11 Home Occupation - Level 2"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400385","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400385","section":"s. 385.1 (RS6-C)","quotes":["Accessory Uses .4 Boarding .5 Coach House .6 Home Occupation - Level 1 .7 Short-Term Rental Accommodation (B/L 3691-2025)"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400386","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400386","section":"s. 386.1 (RS7)","quotes":["Accessory Uses 4. Boarding 5. Garden Suite 6. Home Occupation - Level 1 7. Secondary Suite"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400387","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400387","section":"s. 387.1 (RCH)","quotes":["Accessory Uses .3 Boarding .4 Coach House .5 Home Occupation - Level 1 .6 Short-Term Rental Accommodations (B/L 3670-2025)"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400310","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 310 Rural Residential Zone (RR)","section":"s. 310.1 (RR)","quotes":[".8 Boarding .9 Coach House .10 Home Occupation - Level 3, on a Lot outside the Agricultural Land Reserve"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400335","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 335 Suburban Residential Hobby Farm Zone (SRH)","section":"s. 335.1 (SRH)","quotes":[".5 Short-Term Rental Accommodation .6 Boarding .7 Coach House .8 Hobby Farm Agriculture .9 Home Occupation Level 3"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400357","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400357","section":"s. 357.1 (TH1)","quotes":["Accessory Uses .6 Short-Term Rental Accommodation .7 Boarding .8 Coach House .9 Garden Suite"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Secondary suite: one per house, under 50% of its floor area (garage excluded), none with residential care, a boarding house, supported housing or home child care. Garden suite or coach house: one per lot. SSMUH and TH zones: 15% of lot area or 100 m², whichever is less (coach house: rear lane lots, no larger than the garage). RR, CR, SR: 90 m² or 40% of the house. RS7 and RCH: 55 m².","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.3.8(c)","quotes":["be limited to one such Use per principal Dwelling Unit","be limited to a maximum floor area that is less than 50% of the floor area of the principal Dwelling Unit in which it is located, excluding the floor area of an attached garage","not be operated where there is a Residential Care, Boarding House,"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400386","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400386","section":"s. 386.7.2","quotes":["be limited to a maximum floor area of 55 m2 and not be located within a","be limited to one such Use per Lot;"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400387","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400387","section":"s. 387.7.1","quotes":["be limited to a maximum floor area not greater than the total floor area"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","section":"s. 351.1 .11, .13 (SSMUH 1)","quotes":["be limited to a total maximum floor area not greater than 15% of the Lot Area, or 100 m2, whichever is less;","be limited to Lots with rear lane access;"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"1 off-street space for the suite (also 1 for a coach house or garden suite), on top of the 2 spaces required for a single detached dwelling.","short":"1 space for the suite, plus 2 for the house","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400150","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 150 Parking","section":"s. 150.3, Table 1","quotes":["Secondary Suite 1 space per Dwelling Unit","Single Detached Dwelling 2 spaces per Dwelling Unit","Coach House 1 space for each Dwelling Unit"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is needed to add or remove a suite, and the suite must be registered. Fees: $100 application (credited), $260 registration at issuance, $270 a year infrastructure fee on the property tax bill. A development permit comes first if the OCP requires one.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883","title":"Building Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2883-2018), City of Abbotsford","section":"s. 25, s. 28(h)","quotes":["Construction or removal of an additional Suite, including but not limited to a Secondary Suite or Coach House;","no Building Permit will be issued for Construction until a Development Permit required under the City's Official Community Plan Bylaw, 2016"]},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/buildingpermits/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, City of Abbotsford","section":"Secondary Suites page","quotes":["A $100 non-refundable application fee applies at time of submission of a building permit application.","A $270 infrastructure fee will be added to property taxes on an annual basis."]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1532","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2006 (Consolidated), Schedule G Building","section":"Schedule G, s. 9(c), 10(c)","quotes":["Bylaw No. 1532-2006 Page 25 (c) Processing Fee for Additional Suite (i) Registration (new) .........................................................................$260.00 (ii) Accessory Suite removal .................................................................$75.00 (iii) Multiple Suite Removal ..................................................................$260.00","including but not limited to a Secondary Suite or Coach House. (c) Infrastructure fee ............................................................................ $270.00/year 11. PERFORMANCE SECURITY"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw, 2014 (Bylaw No. 2400-2014), s. 140.3.8 and s. 150; Building Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2883-2018); Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2006 (No. 1532-2006), Schedule G.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","section":"s. 140.3.8","quotes":["Secondary Suites (B/L 3246-2022, 3299-2022, 3560-2024, 3670-2025, 3691-2025)"]},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883","title":"Building Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2883-2018), City of Abbotsford","section":"title","quotes":["City of Abbotsford - Building Bylaw, 2018- - - Search Results | Clear Search | Previous (in doc) | Next (in doc) | Prev Doc | Next Doc | License Bylaw No. 2883-2018 ## Building Bylaw, 2018 Consolidated and printed by authority of the"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\nThe Zoning Bylaw allows one secondary suite (a dwelling unit inside a house) in every single detached dwelling. In the A1 to A6, RR, CR, SR, SRH, RMF and some N zones the suite must also meet that zone's own conditions. A coach house (on the second storey of an accessory building) or a garden suite (in a single-storey one) is allowed only where your zone lists it:\n\n- **Coach house:** RR, CR, SR and SRH (lot over 0.4 ha), SSMUH 1, 2, 2-g, 3 and 4, TH1, RS6-C and RCH zones.\n- **Garden suite:** SSMUH 1, 2, 2-g, 3 and 4, TH1, TH2 and RS7.\n\nA zones list neither. Zone sections for N and CD zones were not checked.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone's rules (Planning Services, 604-864-5510, or the Property Information Search).\n2. Complete the Secondary Suite submission and drawing checklists.\n3. Apply online and pay the $100 application fee. A development permit comes first if the Official Community Plan requires one.\n4. At permit issue, pay the $260 registration fee. Book inspections online.\n5. The $270 yearly infrastructure fee then appears on your property tax bill.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Size: a secondary suite must be under 50% of the house's floor area (garage excluded). Garden suite or coach house: one per lot; in SSMUH and TH zones up to 15% of lot area or 100 m², whichever is less (a coach house is on rear lane lots and no larger than the garage); RR, CR and SR zones 90 m² or 40% of the house; RS7 and RCH zones 55 m².\n- No suite where the house has residential care, a boarding house, supported housing or home child care.\n- Parking: 1 off-street space for the suite (also 1 for a coach house or garden suite), on top of the 2 required for the house.\n- The City says an unregistered suite can be fined $500 a day under the Bylaw Enforcement Bylaw. Suites not removed by May 1 stay on that year's tax bill.\n- Zoning also permits 3 to 4 units on many urban lots under section 140.2.12; ask Planning.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/buildingpermits/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, City of Abbotsford","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2006b1532","title":"Fees and Charges Bylaw, 2006 (Consolidated), Schedule G Building","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400120","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 120 Definitions","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400140","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 140 General Regulations","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400150","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2400-2014, Section 150 Parking","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2018b2883","title":"Building Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2883-2018), City of Abbotsford","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.abbotsford.ca/business-development/development-planning/land-use-information-letters","title":"Land Use Information Letters, City of Abbotsford","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400351","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400385","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400385","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400386","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400386","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400387","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400387","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400310","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 310 Rural Residential Zone (RR)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400335","title":"Zoning Bylaw 2400-2014, Section 335 Suburban Residential Hobby Farm Zone (SRH)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400357","title":"https://laws.abbotsford.ca/civix/document/id/coa/coabylaws/2014b2400357","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/abbotsford/secondary-suite.json"}}