{"title":"Colwood secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a carriage house?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/colwood","name":"Colwood","region":{"code":"bc","name":"British Columbia"},"country":{"code":"ca","name":"Canada"}},"category":{"slug":"building-and-renovating","name":"Building, renovating and your property"},"owner":"municipal","owner_label":"Municipal","owner_body":{"name":"City of Colwood","url":"https://www.colwood.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes, in Colwood. Land Use Bylaw 151 allows a secondary suite and an accessory dwelling unit (garden suite) in all zones unless a zone says otherwise. Unless a zone says otherwise, the limit is one of each per lot, each up to 90 m² or 40% of the floor area, whichever is less.","aliases":["garden suite colwood","carriage house colwood","basement suite colwood","legal suite colwood","accessory dwelling unit colwood"],"cost":null,"how_long":null,"where":[{"type":"email","label":"Planning (zoning questions)","value":"planning@colwood.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Planning","value":"250-294-8153"},{"type":"email","label":"Building Department","value":"building@colwood.ca"}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Development, City of Colwood","url":"https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/development"},{"title":"Land Use Bylaw 151 (PDF)","url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999"},{"title":"Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw 1909","url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/198446/"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Colwood building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Colwood zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"deck-shed-garage-permit","title":"Colwood permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/deck-shed-garage-permit/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/view-royal","name":"View Royal","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/esquimalt","name":"Esquimalt","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/langford","name":"Langford","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/victoria","name":"Victoria","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/metchosin","name":"Metchosin","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/metchosin/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/highlands","name":"Highlands","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/highlands/secondary-suite/"}],"topic":{"title":"Secondary suite and carriage house rules in British Columbia, by municipality","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/secondary-suite/"},"facts":{"suite_allowed":{"label":"Secondary suite allowed","value":"Secondary suites are permitted in all zones as an ancillary use to residential use, unless the Land Use Bylaw says otherwise for a zone. A secondary suite is in a building that has only one other dwelling unit.","short":"Yes, in all zones unless the bylaw says otherwise","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 2.2.01","quotes":["Secondary suites and accessory dwelling units are permitted in all zones ancillary to residential use unless otherwise specified in this bylaw."]},{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Definitions","quotes":["is within a building or a part of a building of residential occupancy containing only one other dwelling unit"]},{"url":"https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/development","title":"Development, City of Colwood","section":"Secondary Suites","quotes":["Secondary suites are permitted in most Colwood single family homes."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Accessory dwelling units (garden suites) are permitted in all zones ancillary to residential use unless the bylaw says otherwise. They may be in or added to an accessory building on a lot with a one-family, two-family or attached housing dwelling. A garden suite goes through an approval process.","short":"Yes, garden suites in all zones, with approval","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 2.2.01","quotes":["Secondary suites and accessory dwelling units are permitted in all zones ancillary to residential use unless otherwise specified in this bylaw."]},{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Definitions","quotes":["contained within an accessory building associated with a one-family use, a two-family dwelling use, or an attached housing dwelling use"]},{"url":"https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/development","title":"Development, City of Colwood","section":"Garden suite","quotes":["Garden suites must go through an application process for approval."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Unless a zone says otherwise: one secondary suite and one accessory dwelling unit per lot, each with a separate entrance. Maximum 90 m² or 40% of the building's habitable floor area (ADU: of the principal dwelling), whichever is less. A covenant against stratification is required. R5 zone: 70 m², rental only. No owner-occupancy rule found.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026) (PDF)","section":"s. 2.2.02","quotes":["up to one secondary suite and one accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted per lot","A secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit must have a separate entrance and exit.","The maximum size of a secondary suite shall be 90m2 or 40% of the gross floor area of the total habitable floor area, excluding garages, of the building it is located in, whichever is less.","The maximum size of an accessory dwelling unit shall be 90 m2 or 40% of the gross floor area of the principal dwelling unit, whichever is less.","New secondary suites or accessory dwelling units are not a permitted use unless the owner has registered a restrictive covenant under section 219 of the Land Title Act for the purpose of prohibiting the stratification","Unless otherwise specified in this Bylaw, up to one secondary suite and one accessory dwelling unit","The maximum size of a secondary suite shall be 70 m2."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"One parking space per suite or accessory dwelling unit, on top of the 2 spaces for a one-family dwelling. The suite's space must have unobstructed access.","short":"1 space per suite, plus 2 for the house","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/198446/","title":"Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 1909 (consolidated to June 29, 2026)","section":"Table 1","quotes":["Secondary Suite and 1 per dwelling unit Accessory Dwelling Unit","Residential, One-family 2 per dwelling unit"]},{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/198446/","title":"Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 1909 (consolidated to June 29, 2026)","section":"Parking space design","quotes":["Parking space provided for a secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit have unobstructed access."]},{"url":"https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/development","title":"Development, City of Colwood","section":"Secondary Suites","quotes":["An additional unobstructed parking space must be provided for each suite."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit is needed (submit the application and plans). Ask Planning whether a development permit is required for a garden suite. Suites must also meet BC Building Code fire and life-safety rules, such as smoke detectors.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/development","title":"Development, City of Colwood","section":"Secondary Suite FAQs","quotes":["Once you have confirmed what you intend to do is possible, please submit a completed building permit application and plans."]},{"url":"https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/development","title":"Development, City of Colwood","section":"Garden Suite FAQs","quotes":["to confirm whether a development permit is required please reach out to planning@colwood.ca"]},{"url":"https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/development","title":"Development, City of Colwood","section":"Secondary Suites","quotes":["Suites will also be subject to BC Building Code requirements for fire and life safety (e.g. smoke detectors)."]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Land Use Bylaw No. 151, 1989 (Section 2.2); Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 1909, 2022; Building Bylaw No. 977, 2008","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026) (PDF)","section":"Section 2.2","quotes":["SECTION 2.2 SECONDARY SUITES AND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS"]},{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/198446/","title":"Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 1909 (consolidated to June 29, 2026)","section":"Whole bylaw","quotes":["Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 1909, 2022"]},{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164","title":"Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024) (PDF)","section":"Whole bylaw","quotes":["Building Bylaw No. 977, 2008"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}}},"facts_summary":{"total":6,"stated":6,"matched":6,"none":0,"unknown":0},"body_markdown":"## How it works\n\n[Land Use Bylaw 151](https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999) (Section 2.2) permits secondary suites in all zones as an ancillary use to residential use, unless the bylaw says otherwise for a zone. A secondary suite is in a building that has only one other dwelling unit.\n\nAccessory dwelling units (garden suites) are also permitted in all zones unless the bylaw says otherwise. They may be in or added to an accessory building on a lot with a one-family, two-family or attached housing dwelling. A garden suite goes through an approval process.\n\nUnless a zone says otherwise:\n\n- One secondary suite and one accessory dwelling unit per lot, each with a separate entrance.\n- Maximum 90 m² or 40% of the building's habitable floor area (for a garden suite, of the main dwelling), whichever is less.\n- A covenant against stratification is required.\n- The R5 zone limits a suite to 70 m² and rental only.\n- The bylaw states no owner-occupancy rule that we found.\n\nSuites occupied before July 1, 2009 are not subject to the maximum size or the covenant.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone's rules with Planning: planning@colwood.ca or 250-294-8153.\n2. Plan one parking space per suite or accessory dwelling unit, on top of the 2 spaces for a one-family dwelling. The suite's space must have unobstructed access.\n3. Ask Planning whether a development permit is required for a garden suite.\n4. Apply for a building permit with plans. The suite must also meet BC Building Code fire and life-safety rules, such as smoke detectors.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- A one-storey accessory building with a garden suite is limited to 4 m high. A suite above the main floor may reach 7 m or 80% of the main dwelling's height, whichever is less. The rear setback is 1.5 m (one storey) or 3 m (taller).\n- Suites do not count toward density.\n- The City no longer issues \"class two\" secondary suite permits.\n- The City page mentions a provincial program of forgivable loans up to $40k for suites.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.colwood.ca/business-building-development/development","title":"Development, City of Colwood","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/1999","title":"Land Use Bylaw No. 151 (consolidated to August 24, 2026) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/198446/","title":"Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 1909 (consolidated to June 29, 2026)","accessed":"2026-11-05"},{"url":"https://colwood.civicweb.net/document/164","title":"Building Bylaw No. 977 (consolidated to January 22, 2024) (PDF)","accessed":"2026-11-05"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-05","review":{"status":"machine_checked","badge":"Checked against official text","label":"Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 6 facts was matched to the official text."},"urls":{"html":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/secondary-suite.json"}}