{"title":"Comox secondary suite and carriage house rules","question":"Can I add a secondary suite or a coach house in Comox?","slug":"secondary-suite","place":{"path":"ca/bc/comox","name":"Comox","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":"Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca"},"short_answer":"Yes. The Town of Comox's Zoning Bylaw permits a secondary suite and a coach house (a detached unit) as secondary uses in all four low-density residential zones, with limits. You need a building permit, and a development permit may also be needed. Each needs 1 extra parking space.","aliases":["secondary suite comox","basement suite comox","coach house comox","carriage house comox","legal suite comox"],"cost":"Building permit fees apply (see building-permit-fees). The Town offers a $3,000 Home Suite Home grant for new or legalized suites.","how_long":"The Town strives for 2 to 4 weeks for a complete building permit application.","where":[{"type":"phone","label":"Development Services / Planning","value":"250-339-1118"},{"type":"email","label":"Planning Department","value":"planning@comox.ca"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Department (Building page)","value":"250-339-2250"},{"type":"phone","label":"Building Department (departmental directory)","value":"250-339-2259"},{"type":"in_person","label":"Town Hall","value":"1809 Beaufort Avenue, Comox, BC V9M 1R9","note":"Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m."}],"documents":[],"forms":[{"title":"Secondary Suites, Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/secondary-suites"},{"title":"Coach Houses, Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/coach-houses"},{"title":"Home Suite Home grant, Town of Comox","url":"https://www.comox.ca/homesuitehome"},{"title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF)","url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf"}],"related":[{"slug":"building-permit","title":"Comox building permits: when you need one and how to apply","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/building-permit/"},{"slug":"zoning-lookup","title":"Comox zoning: find your zone and what it allows","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/zoning-lookup/"},{"slug":"short-term-rental","title":"Comox short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/short-term-rental/"}],"nearby":[{"place":"ca/bc/courtenay","name":"Courtenay","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/cumberland","name":"Cumberland","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/powell-river","name":"Powell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/campbell-river","name":"Campbell River","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/port-alberni","name":"Port Alberni","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/secondary-suite/"},{"place":"ca/bc/qualicum-beach","name":"Qualicum Beach","url":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/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 (self-contained dwelling units inside a principal dwelling) are permitted as a secondary use in all four low-density residential zones (R-SSMU, R-WF, R-CL, R-LL) and in several other zones. The Town says they are permitted primarily in Low-Density Residential zones.","short":"Yes, in all four low-density residential zones","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"Table 9.2(1)","quotes":["(l) Secondary Suites S S S S"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, Town of Comox","section":"Secondary Suites page","quotes":["Secondary suites are permitted primarily in Low-Density Residential zones, along with several other zones"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"s. 4 definition","quotes":["Secondary Suite means a self-contained dwelling unit located within, and secondary to, a principal"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"detached_allowed":{"label":"Coach house or garden suite allowed","value":"Coach houses (self-contained dwelling units detached from the principal dwelling) are permitted as a secondary use in all four low-density residential zones, but in the R-CL zone not in the areas shown on Map 9-1 (Coach House Restriction Area). The Town says they are permitted primarily in Low-Density Residential zones, along with several other zones.","short":"Yes, in four low-density zones, except Map 9-1 area in R-CL","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"Table 9.2(1)","quotes":["(f) Coach Houses 1 S S S2 S","Despite Table 9.2(1), coach houses are not permitted in the areas indicated in Map 9-1."]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/coach-houses","title":"Coach Houses, Town of Comox","section":"Coach Houses page","quotes":["Coach houses are permitted primarily in Low-Density Residential zones, along with several other zones"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"limits":{"label":"Limits","value":"Secondary suite: must be incidental to and integrated with the principal dwelling (not joined by a breezeway or carport), have its own entrance, not be in a coach house, and cannot be strata-subdivided; maximum one suite per principal dwelling unit. Coach house: maximum 100 m² floor area; 5.5 m high if single-storey, 7.5 m if two-storey. Maximum dwelling units per lot are 4 (R-SSMU, R-LL), reduced to 2 on lots over 4,050 m² or not on community water and sewer; 2 (R-WF, R-CL). The bylaw sets no owner-occupancy requirement for a suite.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"s. 6.6; Table 6.4(1); Table 9.4(1)","quotes":["A maximum of one secondary suite shall be permitted per principal dwelling unit.","not be located in a coach house; and","No secondary suite shall be subdivided from the principal dwelling unit under the Strata Property","(a) Maximum GFA 100.0 m2","(c) Maximum Number of 4 per lot 1 2 per lot 2 per lot 4 per lot 1"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"parking":{"label":"Parking","value":"Secondary suites and coach houses each need 1.0 parking space per dwelling unit, in addition to the spaces required for the principal dwelling (1.0 per dwelling unit).","short":"1.0 space per suite, plus the principal dwelling","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"Table 8.4.1(1); s. 8.4(2)","quotes":["(ii) Coach Houses 1.0 space per dwelling unit","Parking and loading spaces for secondary uses shall be provided in addition to the parking and loading"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"permits":{"label":"Permits","value":"A building permit from the Town is required to have a secondary suite or coach house approved. A development permit may also be needed, depending on the property (the Town asks applicants to determine whether a Development Permit is required). The Town also offers a $3,000 Home Suite Home grant for new or legalized suites, limited to the first 25 qualifying suites, with the program running until December 1, 2027 or until funds run out.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, Town of Comox","section":"Secondary Suites page","quotes":["To have a secondary suite approved, you must get a building permit from the Town of Comox."]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/coach-houses","title":"Coach Houses, Town of Comox","section":"Coach Houses page","quotes":["To have a coach house approved, you must get a building permit from the Town of Comox."]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/homesuitehome","title":"Home Suite Home, Town of Comox","section":"Home Suite Home page","quotes":["Determine if a Development Permit is required.","a $3000 grant to homeowners who create new accessory dwelling units","The program is limited to the first 25 qualifying ADUs"]}],"check":{"result":"matched","text_date":"2026-11-06"}},"bylaw":{"label":"Bylaw","value":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (s. 6.4 Coach Houses, s. 6.6 Secondary Suites, s. 8.4 Parking, Table 9.2(1) permitted uses) and Building Bylaw No. 1472.","status":"stated","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"s. 6.6","quotes":["Town of Comox | Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 6.6 Secondary Suites (1) Where expressly permitted in a zone, a secondary suite shall:"]},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","section":"s. 6.4","quotes":["Town of Comox | Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 6.4 Coach Houses Table 6.4(1) Development Regulations for Coach Houses"]}],"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\nThe Town of Comox [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf) permits a secondary suite (a self-contained dwelling unit inside the principal dwelling) as a secondary use in all four low-density residential zones (R-SSMU, R-WF, R-CL, R-LL) and in several other zones. A coach house (a self-contained unit detached from the principal dwelling) is permitted in the same four zones, but in R-CL not in the areas shown on Map 9-1, the Coach House Restriction Area. Use the Town's zoning map to confirm your zone.\n\n## Steps\n\n1. Confirm your zone and whether a coach house is allowed on your lot (see the zoning-lookup answer).\n2. Ask Planning (250-339-1118) whether a development permit is needed for your property.\n3. Apply for a building permit through the Citywide portal (see the building-permit answer).\n4. If you want the grant, check the Home Suite Home page before you start.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Suite limits:** it must be incidental to and integrated with the principal dwelling (not joined by a breezeway or carport), have its own entrance, not be in a coach house, and cannot be strata-subdivided. Maximum one suite per principal dwelling unit.\n- **Coach house limits:** maximum 100 m² floor area, 5.5 m high if single-storey and 7.5 m if two-storey.\n- **Units per lot:** maximum 4 in R-SSMU and R-LL (reduced to 2 on lots over 4,050 m² or not on community water and sewer), and 2 in R-WF and R-CL.\n- **Parking:** 1.0 space per suite or coach house, in addition to 1.0 per principal dwelling unit.\n- The bylaw sets no owner-occupancy requirement for a suite.\n- The Home Suite Home grant is $3,000 for new or legalized suites, for the first 25 qualifying suites, and the Town's page says the program runs until December 1, 2027 or until funds run out. A suite must meet zoning, including parking, to qualify. Check the page for the current status.","sources":[{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf","title":"Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/secondary-suites","title":"Secondary Suites, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/coach-houses","title":"Coach Houses, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/homesuitehome","title":"Home Suite Home, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Bylaw%201472%20Consolidated%20-%20Building%20-%20as%20at%20Jan%2015%2C%202025.pdf","title":"Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/get-building-permit","title":"Get a Building Permit, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building","title":"Building, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"},{"url":"https://www.comox.ca/town-hall/departmental-directory","title":"Departmental Directory, Town of Comox","accessed":"2026-11-06"}],"sources_read":"2026-11-06","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/comox/secondary-suite/","markdown":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/secondary-suite.md","json":"https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/secondary-suite.json"}}