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

# Comox secondary suite and carriage house rules

**Question:** Can I add a secondary suite or a coach house in Comox?

**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.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (Town of Comox, https://www.comox.ca)  
**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:**
- Phone: Development Services / Planning, 250-339-1118
- Email: Planning Department, planning@comox.ca
- Phone: Building Department (Building page), 250-339-2250
- Phone: Building Department (departmental directory), 250-339-2259
- In person: Town Hall, 1809 Beaufort Avenue, Comox, BC V9M 1R9 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

## Key facts

- **Secondary suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Table 9.2(1)](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(l) Secondary Suites S S S S"
  - Source: [Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/secondary-suites)
  - Official wording: "Secondary suites are permitted primarily in Low-Density Residential zones, along with several other zones"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), s. 4 definition](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Secondary Suite means a self-contained dwelling unit located within, and secondary to, a principal"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Coach house or garden suite allowed:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Table 9.2(1)](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(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."
  - Source: [Coach Houses, Coach Houses page](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/coach-houses)
  - Official wording: "Coach houses are permitted primarily in Low-Density Residential zones, along with several other zones"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), s. 6.6; Table 6.4(1); Table 9.4(1)](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Parking:** 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).
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Table 8.4.1(1); s. 8.4(2)](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "(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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Permits:** 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.
  - Source: [Secondary Suites, Secondary Suites page](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/secondary-suites)
  - Official wording: "To have a secondary suite approved, you must get a building permit from the Town of Comox."
  - Source: [Coach Houses, Coach Houses page](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/coach-houses)
  - Official wording: "To have a coach house approved, you must get a building permit from the Town of Comox."
  - Source: [Home Suite Home, Home Suite Home page](https://www.comox.ca/homesuitehome)
  - Official wording: "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: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** 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.
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), s. 6.6](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Town of Comox | Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 6.6 Secondary Suites (1) Where expressly permitted in a zone, a secondary suite shall:"
  - Source: [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), s. 6.4](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Town of Comox | Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 6.4 Coach Houses Table 6.4(1) Development Regulations for Coach Houses"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

The 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.

## Steps

1. Confirm your zone and whether a coach house is allowed on your lot (see the zoning-lookup answer).
2. Ask Planning (250-339-1118) whether a development permit is needed for your property.
3. Apply for a building permit through the Citywide portal (see the building-permit answer).
4. If you want the grant, check the Home Suite Home page before you start.

## Good to know

- **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.
- **Coach house limits:** maximum 100 m² floor area, 5.5 m high if single-storey and 7.5 m if two-storey.
- **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.
- **Parking:** 1.0 space per suite or coach house, in addition to 1.0 per principal dwelling unit.
- The bylaw sets no owner-occupancy requirement for a suite.
- 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.

## Official forms and pages

- [Secondary Suites, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/secondary-suites)
- [Coach Houses, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/coach-houses)
- [Home Suite Home grant, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/homesuitehome)
- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF)](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Comox building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/building-permit.md)
- [Comox zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/zoning-lookup.md)
- [Comox short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/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)
- [Courtenay](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/courtenay/secondary-suite.md)
- [Cumberland](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/cumberland/secondary-suite.md)
- [Powell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/powell-river/secondary-suite.md)
- [Campbell River](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/campbell-river/secondary-suite.md)
- [Port Alberni](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/port-alberni/secondary-suite.md)
- [Qualicum Beach](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/qualicum-beach/secondary-suite.md)

## Sources

- [Zoning Bylaw No. 2056 (PDF, current to July 8, 2026), Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2026-09/Consolidated%20Bylaw%202056%20-%20Zoning%20Bylaw_at%20July8%202026%20%281%29.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Secondary Suites, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/secondary-suites) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Coach Houses, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/coach-houses) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Home Suite Home, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/homesuitehome) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building Bylaw No. 1472 (PDF, consolidated to January 15, 2025), Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/sites/default/files/2025-01/Bylaw%201472%20Consolidated%20-%20Building%20-%20as%20at%20Jan%2015%2C%202025.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Get a Building Permit, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building/get-building-permit) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Building, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/businessanddevelopment/building) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Departmental Directory, Town of Comox](https://www.comox.ca/town-hall/departmental-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 Town of Comox. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/comox/secondary-suite/_