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Campbell River secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

Campbell River, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

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.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedGenerally 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.Residential and Rental Zoning, Secondary Suites; Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), s. 5.29.1 (RU-1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
one residential dwelling unit with or without a secondary suite is permitted
when the lot measures less than one hectare
Coach house or garden suite allowedThe 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.Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), s. 5.29.1, 5.18.1, 5.24.4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
LimitsA 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.Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), definition and s. 5.24.2, 5.24.3 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
ParkingOne parking space per dwelling unit on lots with one to four dwelling units.Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), Table 4.21.1; Guide to Constructing a Secondary Suite in an Existing Home, Step 1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
1 to 4 Residential Dwelling units on one lot
1 per dwelling unit.
Off-street parking requirements for lots with one to four dwelling units
require one parking stall per unit.
PermitsA 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.Residential and Rental Zoning, Secondary Suites; Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), s. 11.2(a), 11.8(c) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
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,
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 3250, 2006; Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026), title; Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments), title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006
BUILDING BYLAW NO. 3899, 2023

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 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 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

The same question in other places

Courtenay · Cumberland · Comox · Powell River · Sayward · Gold River

Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Secondary Suites, City of Campbell River (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Residential and Rental Zoning, City of Campbell River (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Guide to Constructing a Secondary Suite in an Existing Home (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  4. Building Bylaw No. 3899, 2023 (PDF, consolidated, includes Bylaw 3990, 2025 amendments) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Zoning Bylaw 3250, 2006, Schedule A Text (PDF, consolidated to 4021, 2026) (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. How answers are checked.