---
title: Coldstream secondary suite and carriage house rules
question: "Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Coldstream?"
place: Coldstream, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/coldstream
category: Building, renovating and your property
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Coldstream
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/secondary-suite/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/secondary-suite.json"
---

# Coldstream secondary suite and carriage house rules

**Question:** Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house in Coldstream?

**Short answer:** In Coldstream a secondary suite (20.5 m² to 90 m², inside the main building) is a permitted use in the A1, A2, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R99 zones, and some others. Carriage houses and garden suites are allowed in R1, and in some other zones only on larger lots. You need a building permit.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Coldstream, https://www.coldstream.ca)  
**Cost:** Building permit fees apply (see building-permit-fees). Secondary suite inspection is $100; re-inspection is $50.  
**How long:** The District's building permit FAQ, dated April 2021, says applications may take upwards of 4-6 weeks. No current timeline is posted.  
**Where:**
- Phone: Planning and Development, 250-545-5304
- Email: Planning and Development, planner@coldstream.ca
- Phone: Building Department, 250-550-1510
- In person: Municipal Hall, 9901 Kalamalka Road, Coldstream, BC V1B 1L6 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** A secondary suite (a self-contained unit inside the main building, 20.5 m² to 90 m²) is a permitted accessory use in the A1, A2, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R99 zones, and some others. In A2, R2 and R3 it is not permitted on a lot under 1 ha unless an onsite wastewater practitioner or engineer provides a report.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, ss. 200, 401.2, 402.2, 402.6(5), 501.2, 502.2, 503.2](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU), ATTACHED means a non strata titled, self-contained Dwelling Unit located within a Principal Building on the lot" … "The use may also be defined as a Secondary Suite" … "(b) Accessory Dwelling Unit, Attached (“Secondary Suite”)" … "A Secondary Suite is not permitted on a lot less than 1 ha, except where a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) or Professional Engineer provides a report" … "A Secondary Suite is not permitted on a lot less than 1 ha, except where a Registered" … "Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) with Single-Detached Dwelling"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** Carriage houses and garden suites (detached units, 20.5 m² to 90 m²) are allowed in R1; in R2, R3 and R4 only on a lot of 1 ha or more; in A1 only on a lot of 4 ha or more. In R1 a detached unit is not permitted in the front yard setback area.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, ss. 200, 501.2, 501.6(7), 502.4(1), 401.6(5)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU), DETACHED means a non strata titled, self-contained detached Dwelling Unit" … "(c) Accessory Dwelling Unit, Detached i. Carriage House; or ii. Garden Suite" … "Single-Detached Dwelling with a Carriage House or Garden Suite permitted on a lot 1 ha or greater." … "An Accessory Dwelling Unit, Detached (ADU) is permitted on a lot 4 ha or greater" … "A Detached ADU is not permitted within a front yard setback area" … "A Detached ADU is permitted on a lot 1 ha or greater." … "An ADU, Detached is permitted on a lot 1 ha or greater, and: (*2)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** Suite size: 20.5 m² minimum, 90 m² maximum. R1: single-detached dwelling with up to 2 or 3 ADUs depending on lot size (under or over 280 m²). R2: one secondary suite, or one carriage house or garden suite on 1 ha or more. A1: one suite; no strata titling.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, ss. 200, 501.4, 502.4, 501.6(8)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "In addition, the use shall not exceed 90 m2, and must be a minimum of 20.5 m2." … "(a) Single-Detached Dwelling with up to 2 ADUs" … "(a) Single-Detached Dwelling with up to 3 ADUs;" … "Single-Detached Dwelling with a Secondary Suite; OR" … "Strata titling of an ADU is not permitted."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** 1 parking space per accessory dwelling unit (in addition to 2 spaces for the single-detached dwelling).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, s. 321.5, Table 2](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "Single-Detached Dwelling (a) 2 parking space per Dwelling Unit" … "Accessory Dwelling Unit (a) 1 parking space per Dwelling Unit"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** A building permit is required to create a suite (alteration or change of use of a building); the District lists 'Single Family Dwelling with Suite' as a permit type. Secondary suite inspection fees are $100 and re-inspection $50.
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, s. 5.1, 5.10](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/203/)
  - Official wording: "A person must not change the use, occupancy or both of a building or structure or a part of a building or structure without first applying for and obtaining a building permit under this Bylaw."
  - Source: [Building Permits FAQ (PDF, April 2021), FAQ, Proposed Uses](https://www.coldstream.ca/sites/default/files/2022-11/FAQ%20BLDG%20PERMITS%20%283%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Single Family Dwelling with Suite"
  - Source: [Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1541, 2008, Sched. A s. 2.8](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1384/)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suite Inspection Fees (Policy PLD43)" … "(a) Inspection Fee" … "(b) Re-Inspection Fee"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024; Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021; Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1541, 2008
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, title](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
  - Official wording: "Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024"
  - Source: [Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, title](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/203/)
  - Official wording: "DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1758, 2021"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/) decides whether a suite is allowed on your lot.

- **Secondary suite:** a self-contained unit inside the main building, 20.5 m² to 90 m². It is a permitted accessory use in the A1, A2, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R99 zones, and some others. In A2, R2 and R3 it is not permitted on a lot under 1 ha unless an onsite wastewater practitioner or engineer provides a report.
- **Carriage house or garden suite:** a detached unit, 20.5 m² to 90 m². Allowed in R1; in R2, R3 and R4 only on a lot of 1 ha or more; in A1 only on a lot of 4 ha or more. A garden suite is one storey, up to 4.5 m high. A carriage house is two storeys over required parking, up to 8 m. In R1 a detached unit is not permitted in the front yard setback area.

Limits: R1 allows a single-detached dwelling with up to 2 or 3 accessory dwelling units, depending on lot size (under or over 280 m²). R2 allows one secondary suite, or one carriage house or garden suite on 1 ha or more. A1 allows one suite, with no strata titling. Parking is 1 space per accessory dwelling unit, in addition to 2 spaces for the single-detached dwelling.

## Steps

1. Find your zone (see zoning-lookup) and read its secondary suite and detached unit rules.
2. Call Planning on 250-545-5304 to confirm that a suite is allowed on your lot and whether a development permit area applies.
3. Apply for a building permit. The District lists "Single Family Dwelling with Suite" as a permit type.
4. Book the secondary suite inspection ($100; re-inspection $50).

## Good to know

- Other zones (multi-family, commercial and comprehensive development) were not checked. Check your zone.
- No owner-occupancy requirement for suites was found in the Zoning Bylaw. Ask Planning if you want it confirmed.
- A suite cannot be used as a Bed & Breakfast or short-term rental.
- A development permit may be needed first in a development permit area.

## Official forms and pages

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024 (consolidated to June 8, 2026)](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/)
- [Building Information, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/business-development/building-information)

## Related questions

- [Coldstream building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/building-permit.md)
- [Coldstream building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/building-permit-fees.md)
- [Coldstream zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Coldstream short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/short-term-rental.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite.md)
- [Vernon](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/vernon/secondary-suite.md)
- [Lumby](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lumby/secondary-suite.md)
- [Lake Country](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/lake-country/secondary-suite.md)
- [Spallumcheen](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/spallumcheen/secondary-suite.md)
- [Armstrong](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/armstrong/secondary-suite.md)
- [Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/kelowna/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, District of Coldstream](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/104562/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, District of Coldstream](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/203/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1541, 2008, District of Coldstream](https://coldstream.civicweb.net/document/1384/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Permits FAQ (PDF, April 2021), District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/sites/default/files/2022-11/FAQ%20BLDG%20PERMITS%20%283%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Contact Directory, District of Coldstream](https://www.coldstream.ca/municipal-hall/contact-directory) (read 2026-11-06)

_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 District of Coldstream. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/coldstream/secondary-suite/_