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Coldstream secondary suite and carriage house rules

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

Coldstream, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-06

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.

Key facts

Secondary suite allowedA 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.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 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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
Coach house or garden suite allowedCarriage 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, ss. 200, 501.2, 501.6(7), 502.4(1), 401.6(5) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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)
LimitsSuite 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.Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, ss. 200, 501.4, 502.4, 501.6(8) · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
Parking1 parking space per accessory dwelling unit (in addition to 2 spaces for the single-detached dwelling).Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, s. 321.5, Table 2 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Single-Detached Dwelling (a) 2 parking space per Dwelling Unit
Accessory Dwelling Unit (a) 1 parking space per Dwelling Unit
PermitsA 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.Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, s. 5.1, 5.10; Building Permits FAQ (PDF, April 2021), FAQ, Proposed Uses; Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1541, 2008, Sched. A s. 2.8 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
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.
Single Family Dwelling with Suite
Secondary Suite Inspection Fees (Policy PLD43)
(a) Inspection Fee
(b) Re-Inspection Fee
BylawZoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024; Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021; Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1541, 2008Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, title; Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024
DISTRICT OF COLDSTREAM BUILDING BYLAW NO. 1758, 2021

How it works

The Zoning Bylaw No. 1838 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

The same question in other places

Vernon · Lumby · Lake Country · Spallumcheen · Armstrong · Kelowna

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

Sources

  1. Zoning Bylaw No. 1838, 2024, consolidated to June 8, 2026, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  2. Building Bylaw No. 1758, 2021, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  3. Miscellaneous Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1541, 2008, District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  4. Building Permits FAQ (PDF, April 2021), District of Coldstream (read 2026-11-06)
  5. Contact Directory, District of Coldstream (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. How answers are checked.