{"title":"Campbell River secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I build a secondary suite, and what permits do I need?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","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 Campbell River","url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca"},"short_answer":"Campbell River generally allows a secondary suite in zones R-I, RM-1, RM-2, CD-1A1, CD-1A2, CD-1A3, LS-R, RU-1, RU-2 and RU-3. You need a valid building permit for the suite to be legal, and a Development Permit first if you are in a development permit area.","aliases":["secondary suite campbell river","basement suite campbell river","secondary suite grant campbell river","carriage house campbell river"],"cost":"The building permit fee is waived for one accessory dwelling unit per parcel if applied for before December 31, 2027. A $5,000 grant may be available.","how_long":"The City's pages do not state a review time.","where":[{"type":"email","label":"Building","value":"building@campbellriver.ca"},{"type":"email","label":"Grant applications","value":"housing@campbellriver.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Department","value":"250-286-5757"}],"documents":["Building Permit Application Form","Secondary Suite Grant Program Application, with your building permit number"],"forms":[{"title":"Secondary Suites page","url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/secondary-suites"},{"title":"Secondary Suite Grant Program Application (PDF)","url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/secondary-suite-grant-program-application"},{"title":"Guide to Constructing a Secondary Suite in an Existing Home (PDF)","url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/guide-constructing-secondary-suite-existing-home"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Campbell River building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/building-permit/"},{"slug":"building-permit-fees","title":"Campbell River building permit fees","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/building-permit-fees/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Campbell River zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/zoning-lookup/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/sayward","name":"Sayward","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/gold-river","name":"Gold River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/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":"Generally in zones R-I, RM-1, RM-2, CD-1A1, CD-1A2, CD-1A3, LS-R, RU-1, RU-2 and RU-3 (confirm your zone on the City map). In LS-R and RU-1 to RU-3, one dwelling with a secondary suite is allowed on lots under 1 hectare.","short":"Yes, in listed zones (R-I, RM-1, RM-2, RU-1 etc.)","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/zoning/residential-rental-zoning","title":"Residential and Rental Zoning, City of Campbell River","section":"Secondary Suites","quotes":["In Campbell River, secondary suites are generally allowed in the following zones:","R-I - RM-1 - RM-2 - CD-1A1 - CD-1A2 - CD-1A3 - LS-R - RU-1 - RU-2 - RU-3"]},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"s. 5.29.1 (RU-1)","quotes":["one residential dwelling unit with or without a secondary suite is permitted","when the lot measures less than one hectare"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"The Zoning Bylaw does not use the terms coach house or garden suite. It allows an additional dwelling unit on lots over 1 hectare in RU-1 to RU-3 (accessory dwelling unit in LS-R), and up to 3 or 4 dwelling units per lot in the R-I zone inside the urban containment boundary.","short":"Not named; extra dwelling on lots over 1 hectare in RU zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"s. 5.29.1, 5.18.1, 5.24.4","quotes":["one single-family residential dwelling with or without an additional dwelling","one single-family residential dwelling with or without an accessory dwelling","A maximum of three dwelling units are permitted on lots measuring","A maximum of four dwelling units are permitted on lots measuring"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"A secondary suite is a self-contained unit in a building with only one other dwelling unit, behind a 1-hour fire separation, and both units form one real estate entity. The Zoning Bylaw sets no suite size cap or owner-occupancy rule.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"definition and s. 5.24.2, 5.24.3","quotes":["SECONDARY SUITE means","where both dwelling units constitute a single real estate entity.","The minimum lot area shall be 350 square metres","The maximum lot coverage of all buildings is 50%","(b) of only residential occupancy that contains only one other dwelling unit and","(c) where both dwelling units constitute a single real estate entity."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"One parking space per dwelling unit on lots with one to four dwelling units.","short":"1 space per dwelling unit","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"Table 4.21.1","quotes":["1 to 4 Residential Dwelling units on one lot","1 per dwelling unit."]},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/guide-constructing-secondary-suite-existing-home","title":"Guide to Constructing a Secondary Suite in an Existing Home (PDF)","section":"Step 1","quotes":["Off-street parking requirements for lots with one to four dwelling units","require one parking stall per unit."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A valid building permit is required for the suite to be legal. A Development Permit is also needed first if the property is in a development permit area. The building permit fee is waived for one accessory dwelling unit per parcel if applied for before December 31, 2027.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/zoning/residential-rental-zoning","title":"Residential and Rental Zoning, City of Campbell River","section":"Secondary Suites","quotes":["If you wish to build a secondary suite, you must get a valid building permit in order for it to be considered legal."]},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024","title":"Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments)","section":"s. 11.2(a), 11.8(c)","quotes":["the owner must apply for and obtain a development permit if the building or structure","an application for a building permit for an accessory dwelling unit dated prior to December 31, 2027 is exempt from the building permit fee,"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 3250, 2006; Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","section":"title","quotes":["Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006"]},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024","title":"Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments)","section":"title","quotes":["BUILDING BYLAW NO. 3899, 2023"]}],"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\nA secondary suite is a self-contained unit inside a building that has only one other dwelling unit, behind a 1-hour fire separation, with both forming one real estate entity. The [Zoning Bylaw](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text) sets no suite size cap or owner-occupancy rule.\n\nIn Campbell River suites are generally allowed in the zones listed above; confirm your zone on the City map. In LS-R and RU-1 to RU-3, one dwelling with a secondary suite is allowed on lots under 1 hectare. The Zoning Bylaw does not use the terms coach house or garden suite. It allows an additional dwelling unit on lots over 1 hectare in RU-1 to RU-3 (an accessory dwelling unit in LS-R), and in the R-I zone, inside the urban containment boundary, three units on lots under 280 m² or four on lots over 280 m².\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Find your zone on the City's zoning map and check it allows a suite.\n2. Read the City's guide to constructing a secondary suite in an existing home.\n3. If your property is in a development permit area, get the Development Permit first.\n4. Apply for a building permit (see the building-permit answer).\n5. For the grant, email the application with your building permit number to housing@campbellriver.ca.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- Parking: one space per dwelling unit on lots with one to four dwelling units.\n- The [Building Bylaw](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024) waives the permit fee for one accessory dwelling unit per parcel if the application is dated before December 31, 2027.\n- The City offers 50 grants of $5,000 for building or legalizing suites with a building permit application dated after January 1, 2025.\n- BC Building Code sound attenuation requirements for existing suites are waived until December 31, 2027.\n- Short-term rentals are not permitted, so a suite cannot be a nightly rental.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, City of Campbell River","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/zoning/residential-rental-zoning","title":"Residential and Rental Zoning, City of Campbell River","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/guide-constructing-secondary-suite-existing-home","title":"Guide to Constructing a Secondary Suite in an Existing Home (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024","title":"Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text","title":"Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)","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/campbell-river/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/secondary-suite.json"}}