---
title: Campbell River secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I build a secondary suite, and what permits do I need?"
place: Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/campbell-river
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Campbell River
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Campbell River secondary suite and carriage house rules

**Question:** Can I build a secondary suite, and what permits do I need?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Campbell River, https://www.campbellriver.ca)  
**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:**
- Email: Building, building@campbellriver.ca
- Email: Grant applications, housing@campbellriver.ca
- Phone: Building Department, 250-286-5757

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Residential and Rental Zoning, Secondary Suites](https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/zoning/residential-rental-zoning)
  - Official wording: "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"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), s. 5.29.1 (RU-1)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text)
  - Official wording: "one residential dwelling unit with or without a secondary suite is permitted" … "when the lot measures less than one hectare"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), s. 5.29.1, 5.18.1, 5.24.4](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), definition and s. 5.24.2, 5.24.3](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** One parking space per dwelling unit on lots with one to four dwelling units.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), Table 4.21.1](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text)
  - Official wording: "1 to 4 Residential Dwelling units on one lot" … "1 per dwelling unit."
  - Source: [Guide to Constructing a Secondary Suite in an Existing Home, Step 1](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/guide-constructing-secondary-suite-existing-home)
  - Official wording: "Off-street parking requirements for lots with one to four dwelling units" … "require one parking stall per unit."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** 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.
  - Source: [Residential and Rental Zoning, Secondary Suites](https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/zoning/residential-rental-zoning)
  - Official wording: "If you wish to build a secondary suite, you must get a valid building permit in order for it to be considered legal."
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), s. 11.2(a), 11.8(c)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 3250, 2006; Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), title](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), title](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024)
  - Official wording: "BUILDING BYLAW NO. 3899, 2023"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

A 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.

In 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.

## Steps

1. Find your zone on the City's zoning map and check it allows a suite.
2. Read the City's guide to constructing a secondary suite in an existing home.
3. If your property is in a development permit area, get the Development Permit first.
4. Apply for a building permit (see the building-permit answer).
5. For the grant, email the application with your building permit number to housing@campbellriver.ca.

## Good to know

- Parking: one space per dwelling unit on lots with one to four dwelling units.
- 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.
- The City offers 50 grants of $5,000 for building or legalizing suites with a building permit application dated after January 1, 2025.
- BC Building Code sound attenuation requirements for existing suites are waived until December 31, 2027.
- Short-term rentals are not permitted, so a suite cannot be a nightly rental.

## What you'll need

- Building Permit Application Form
- Secondary Suite Grant Program Application, with your building permit number

## Official forms and pages

- [Secondary Suites page](https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/secondary-suites)
- [Secondary Suite Grant Program Application (PDF)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/secondary-suite-grant-program-application)
- [Guide to Constructing a Secondary Suite in an Existing Home (PDF)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/guide-constructing-secondary-suite-existing-home)

## Related questions

- [Campbell River building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/building-permit.md)
- [Campbell River building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Campbell River zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/zoning-lookup.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/secondary-suite.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/secondary-suite.md)
- [Comox](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/secondary-suite.md)
- [Powell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/secondary-suite.md)
- [Sayward](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/sayward/secondary-suite.md)
- [Gold River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/gold-river/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Secondary Suites, City of Campbell River](https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/secondary-suites) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Residential and Rental Zoning, City of Campbell River](https://www.campbellriver.ca/building-development/zoning/residential-rental-zoning) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Guide to Constructing a Secondary Suite in an Existing Home (PDF)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/guide-constructing-secondary-suite-existing-home) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/3899-building-bylaw-2023-consolidated-bylaw-3971-2024) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026)](https://www.campbellriver.ca/media/file/zoning-bylaw-3250-2006-schedule-text) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Campbell River. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/secondary-suite/_