Chetwynd secondary suite and carriage house rules

Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Chetwynd?

Chetwynd, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-08

Short answer

Yes, in Chetwynd a secondary suite or detached suite is allowed as an accessory use in the AG, RU1, RU2 and R1 zones, but only with a single-detached dwelling, one suite per dwelling. A suite must be at least 40 m² and needs its own entrance, a building permit and an annual business licence.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowed	Yes, as an accessory use in the AG, RU1, RU2 and R1 zones, and only in single-detached dwellings. One suite per principal dwelling. No suite where the house has a bed and breakfast, day care or home-based business.Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 10.2 (R1); Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 7.2 (AG); Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 8.2 (RU1) and 9.2 (RU2); Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 4.12(1) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording v. Detached suite vi. Hen keeping vii. Home occupation viii. Secondary suite iv. Detached suite v. Hen keeping vi. Home industry vii. Home occupation viii. Secondary suite iv. Detached suite v. Farm stand vi. Hen keeping vii. Home industry viii. Home occupation ix. Secondary suite Suites are only permitted in single-detached dwellings. No more than one (1) suite is permitted per principal dwelling. A suite shall not be permitted where one of more of the following uses exist within the principal home-based business
Coach house or garden suite allowed	Yes, as an accessory use in the AG, RU1, RU2 and R1 zones (same single-detached-dwelling and one-suite limits). A detached suite must be at least 40 m², and its parcel coverage may not exceed 15% of the parcel area.Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 10.2 (R1); Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 7.2 (AG); Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 8.2 (RU1) and 9.2 (RU2); Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 4.12.2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording v. Detached suite vi. Hen keeping vii. Home occupation viii. Secondary suite iv. Detached suite v. Hen keeping vi. Home industry vii. Home occupation viii. Secondary suite iv. Detached suite v. Farm stand vi. Hen keeping vii. Home industry viii. Home occupation ix. Secondary suite The floor area of a detached suite must be at least 40m². The parcel coverage of the detached suite must not exceed 15% of the parcel area.
Limits	One suite per principal dwelling; at least 40 m²; a secondary suite needs its own private entrance; rented only for periods of one month or more; residential use only; no subdividing or strata titling. A detached suite may cover at most 15% of the parcel.Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 4.12(1) and 4.12.1 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording No more than one (1) suite is permitted per principal dwelling. Be a minimum of 40m² in size. Contain a separated private entrance from the primary entrance(s) of the principal dwelling. shall be rented for periods of not less than one month. A suite shall not be subdivided or strata titled.
Parking	Section 4.12 requires one additional hard-surfaced, dust-free parking space for each suite. The parking table (Table 4) instead says 1 space per bedroom in the suite, in addition to the main dwelling's spaces. These differ for suites with 2 or more bedrooms; confirm with the District.Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 4.12(1)(g); Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, Table 4 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording One (1) additional parking space must be provided for each suite. Such parking space shall be hard surfaced, dust free and in accordance with the Off-Street Parking Regulations in this Bylaw. One (1) additional parking space must be provided for each suite. Suites (Secondary or Detached) 1 per bedroom in the suite in addition to principal dwelling unit requirements Accessory Dwelling Unit 1 per dwelling unit
Permits	An annual business licence from the District is required, and the suite must meet the BC Building Code and local bylaws for a secondary suite. A building permit is needed for construction or structural alteration under the Building Bylaw.Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, s. 4.12(1)(c) and (d); Building Bylaw No. 973, 2012, consolidated to Bylaw 1028, s. 7.1(a) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording A suite must meet all of the BC Building Code requirements and local regulations and Bylaws for a secondary suite. An annual business license issued by the District of Chetwynd is required. constructing, or undertaking structural repair or alteration of a building or structure related to the inspections undertaken
Bylaw	Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, s. 4.12 (Suites), as amended by Bylaw No. 1162, 2023; Building Bylaw No. 973, 2012.Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023, with Amendment 1162 and maps, Title and amendment list · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-08 Official wording 1. This Bylaw may be cited as “Zoning Bylaw No. 1150, 2023”. Inclusion of maps as schedules and Dwelling definitions and Suites

How it works

Section 4.12 of the District of Chetwynd's Zoning Bylaw No. 1150 allows a secondary suite (a self-contained dwelling unit within a single-detached dwelling, or in an accessory building on the same parcel) as an accessory use in the AG, RU1, RU2 and R1 zones. Suites are not listed as uses in the R2, RM1, RM2, MHP or commercial zones. No suite is allowed where the house has a bed and breakfast, day care or home-based business.

Steps

Confirm your zone allows a suite (see zoning-lookup).
Apply for a building permit under the Building Bylaw No. 973; see building-permit.
Get an annual District business licence for the suite.
Make sure the suite meets the BC Building Code and local bylaws.

Good to know

One suite per principal dwelling; at least 40 m²; its own private entrance; residential use only; no subdividing or strata titling.
A suite may be rented only for periods of one month or more.
A detached suite may cover at most 15% of the parcel.
Parking: section 4.12 requires one additional hard-surfaced, dust-free space per suite, but the parking table says one space per bedroom in the suite. These differ for suites with 2 or more bedrooms; confirm with the District.
No owner-occupancy requirement was found.
A 2024 zoning amendment on small-scale multi-unit housing exists but is not in the posted bylaw copy, so these rules may have changed. Confirm on 250-401-4100.